Alcohol tin cause pare reactions similar rashes, flushing, redness, itching and other symptoms.

Article at a Glance:

  • Skin reactions related to booze use are not common and almost of them are not dangerous. These reactions tin be caused past many unlike factors, so it is important to have note of these reactions if they happen to yous or a loved one. Central points to remember most alcohol-induced peel reactions include:
  • Alcohol utilize can crusade pare reactions like rashes, flushing, redness and itching, among other symptoms.
  • Existence aware of the circumstances associated with alcohol-related peel reactions can help you to determine what the crusade is, whether it'due south a drug interaction, an underlying skin status that is triggered past alcohol, using a certain type of booze or an bodily alcohol allergy.
  • Limiting or avoiding alcohol (or a particular kind of alcohol) can be a peachy solution to prevent unpleasant reactions.
  • A discussion with a healthcare professional may also assist determine the reasons for a pare reaction along with treatment and prevention options.

Alcohol and Rashes

Many people experience a multifariousness of adverse effects due to alcohol use, including nausea, vomiting, impaired controlling skills, aggression, loss of consciousness and visual impairment, amidst other symptoms. Alcohol use tin besides crusade various skin reactions, including rashes.

Alcohol consumption tin can occasionally lead to skin reactions like:

  • Skin redness
  • Rashes
  • Itching
  • Skin flushing

Pare reactions associated with alcohol use tin range from mildly uncomfortable to quite severe, depending on the person. However, these effects are fairly uncommon in the general population. Certain people announced to simply take an intolerance to alcohol, which could exist due to many factors.

Skin reactions tin occur after booze consumption because of:

  • Genetics (which may relate to sudden alcohol intolerance)
  • Drug interactions
  • How alcohol is prepared and consumed
  • Pre-existing allergies

Genetics

Alcohol-induced skin reactions tin can stem from a genetic inability of the body to procedure booze properly. This inability is especially common in people with East Asian ancestry, who may feel extreme redness and warmth in the skin after consuming even small amounts of booze.

Drug Interactions

Drinking booze with certain drugs, including antibiotics, tin cause drug interactions resulting in uncomfortable pare reactions, especially flushing. One common antibiotic medication, metronidazole, is specially associated with this kind of reaction when used with booze. This reaction is called a disulfiram-like reaction and oftentimes causes nausea, airsickness, headaches and tum pain in addition to the peel flushing.

Although this drug interaction results in undesirable symptoms, information technology is usually not life-threatening. Anyone experiencing this reaction, especially if vomiting is present, should try to stay hydrated. The symptoms commonly subside on their own after the alcohol is cleaved down by the trunk.

It is not recommended to use alcohol during a form of metronidazole therapy, or even several days after the course of therapy is finished. Other drugs tin can also interact with booze in this way, so information technology's important to speak with a doctor or chemist before using whatever medication with alcohol.

Alcohol Preparation and Consumption

Booze can also be prepared in many dissimilar ways and mixed with diverse other substances before a person consumes it, and it is idea that certain impurities, including preservatives, may contribute to the development of some alcohol-related skin reactions.

Some cases of alcohol-related skin reactions may not be acquired directly by alcohol itself, but because of the impurities present in the alcohol. Some people may react to one blazon of impurity (for example, the sulfites that are sometimes found in wine) and may not react to others. A person who is allergic to wheat might have pare reactions just later on consuming booze that is fabricated with wheat, such as beer.

Alcohol-Induced Allergic Reactions

A common skin condition called rosacea tin can sometimes flare up after alcohol intake. Rosacea is a redness of the skin that often looks like blushing or flushing, and can exist associated with stinging, sensitivity, burning sensation and dryness.

In general, alcohol does non cause rosacea, but information technology can trigger rosacea symptoms in some people. A 2017 study of American women plant that the risk of rosacea increased as alcohol intake increased, however, other studies have not found the same clan.

There have been some reported cases of a 18-carat allergic reaction after alcohol consumption, including symptoms of itchiness along with lip and tongue swelling, but this type of booze allergy is rare.

Unremarkably, skin reactions related to alcohol are due to an intolerance rather than an actual allergy. It's important to note that some alcohol-related skin reactions may occur for unknown reasons.

There are various skin reactions related to alcohol use. Some common skin-related symptoms that can occur with alcohol consumption include:

  • Flushing (redness and warmth in the pare, especially in the face up)
  • Rash (peel irritation and itchiness)
  • Hives (raised, red patches of skin)
  • The triggering of an allergic reaction, like rosacea
  • Acne
  • Swelling
  • Stinging, tingling or burning sensations
  • Itchiness
  • Hurting

Alcohol Rash & Hives Pictures

Viewing alcohol rash pictures can be helpful in identifying booze-related pare irritations.

Treatment for Booze Rashes & Allergies

Although alcohol-related skin reactions tin be bothersome or uncomfortable, the vast majority are non life-threatening. As the booze is broken downwardly and eliminated from the trunk, the symptoms generally go away.

In many cases, merely stopping the intake of alcohol allows the breakdown procedure to occur and symptoms will resolve on their ain. Alcohol is broken down at different rates depending on private factors such every bit body weight, body fatty per centum, hydration level, gender, the presence of liver affliction and contempo food intake. Alcohol may go out the body more than slowly (or more quickly) in sure people compared to other people.

For people who have skin reactions to booze, often the all-time advice is to avoid alcohol birthday or to minimize the amount consumed to prevent a reaction from occurring in the first place.

In more severe cases, medical treatment may be required. If the reaction is severe enough to cause swelling of the face, tongue or throat, a true alcohol allergy may exist present, which can exist life-threatening. A reaction like this requires immediate medical attention in order to go on a person'southward airway open.

Accept more questions about alcohol use ? Interested in other alcohol-related topics ? The Recovery Village offers resources for people to learn more about alcohol corruption and booze use disorders,as well every bit comprehensive alcohol rehab handling programs.

Nicole LaNeve

Editor – Nicole LaNeve

Nicole leads a squad of passionate, experienced writers, editors and other contributors to create and share accurate, trustworthy information about drug and booze addiction, treatment and recovery for The Recovery Village and all Advanced Recovery Systems sites. Read more

Benjamin Caleb Williams

Medically Reviewed Past – Benjamin Caleb Williams, RN

Benjamin Caleb Williams is a board-certified Emergency Nurse with several years of clinical feel, including supervisory roles inside the ICU and ER settings. Read more


Lee, Haeok; Kim, Sun; You, Kwang Soo; Park, Wanju; Yang, Jin Hyang; Kim, Minjin; Hayman, Laura. " Asian Flushing: Genetic and Sociocultural Factors of Alcoholism Among East Asians ." Gastroenterology Nursing, September/October 2014. Accessed June sixteen, 2020.

Li, Suyun; Cho, Eunyoung; Drucker, Aaron; Qureshi, Abrar; Li, Wen-Qing. " Booze intake and hazard of rosacea in Us women ." American University of Dermatology, April 20, 2017. Accessed June xvi, 2020.

Medical Disclaimer

The Recovery Hamlet aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance utilise or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish cloth that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed past licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Information technology should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.