Alcohol accelerates the aging process by depleting essential nutrients and antioxidants from the body. Over time, this can lead to the premature development of wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin. Temporary flushing, on the other hand, can be limited with certain medications. Topical creams used to treat rosacea, like brimonidine and oxymetazoline, can also help. Chilled wine and spirits are less likely to dilate the blood vessels than warm drinks.

Even tiny amounts of alcohol may induce urticaria in people who have had a severe reaction previously, although allergy testing is often negative. All of these skin conditions may occur without any history of alcohol abuse. With little calorie or protein intake the skin becomes dry and loses elasticity. When there’s too much acetaldehyde in your body, this chemical attacks the DNA in certain cells.

Alcohol Abuse

Esophageal cancer is one of the deadliest cancers in the world, with very low survival rates. The genetic condition that is linked to red face from alcohol prevents the body from metabolizing alcohol past the point where it is changed into acetaldehyde. This is extremely problematic, because acetaldehyde is a toxic substance.

• A liver enzyme called aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 or ALDH2 breaks acetaldehyde down into less toxic substances.
• A more serious side effect of heavy drinking is a yellowish tint in the whites of your eyes.
• In some people, this can happen even after consuming a bit of alcohol.
• Long-term heavy drinking causes premature aging and the dulling of your complexion, too.

Read on to learn how and why alcohol damages your physical appearance, and what you can do about it. So, your red face from alcohol isn’t just an embarrassing social hiccup; it’s an indication of a deeper metabolic process occurring within your body. Dr. John Elgin Wilkaitis completed medical school at The 12 Sample Farewell Letters Format, Examples and How To Write? University of Mississippi Medical Center and residency in general psychiatry in 2003. He completed a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in 2005. Some doctors believe that the flushing effect might be helpful in identifying those at risk for these diseases.

Can the alcohol flush reaction be prevented?

Over time, the damaged capillaries rise closer to the surface of the skin, resulting in a red face. Much like raised capillaries, it’s also common for blood vessels to swell when a person excessively consumes alcohol. https://en.forexdata.info/art-therapy-for-addiction-painting-paths-to/ The alcohol will even break down collagen inside the veins, resulting in spider veins, which tend to be blue, purple, and red in color. Spider veins can appear anywhere on the body, including your face.

All these treatments are temporary fixes to an underlying issue, and they do not address the Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 deficiency and can mask essential symptoms of alcohol intolerance. If you are looking for a more permanent solution, a luxury rehab in Florida can help you to address the root cause of your alcohol intolerance and develop healthy coping mechanisms. These temporary topical ointments reduce the size of blood vessels in the face and are often prescribed for the treatment of rosacea. Laser therapy and light-based therapies can also help reduce the appearance of redness on the face. Antihistamines, such as Brimonidine and Oxymetazoline may reduce the effects of alcohol on a flushed face or rosacea, under the guidance of a medical professional. Puffy eyes and dry skin are reversible where alcohol intake is reduced [2].