Why does my face turn red after drinking alcohol?

Searching for signs and symptoms that alcohol is damaging us is not always easy. People from varying backgrounds and histories react to alcohol in different ways, one of which is a facial reddening as they drink.

Over 500 million people around the world experience facial flushing and an increased heart rate after consuming alcohol. If your face flushes as you drink alcohol, it could be a warning sign of underlying dangers.

What causes my face to turn red from drinking?

For many people around the world, consuming alcohol rapidly makes their faces turn red, which is a phenomenon called “alcohol flush reaction.”

Facial redness after drinking alcohol is usually caused by the way the body metabolises alcohol. The ethanol in an alcohol drink is metabolised into other substances so you can more easily remove it from your system.

Most of the ethanol is broken down in the liver by an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). The process transforms ethanol into a toxic metabolite called acetaldehyde, which is a known carcinogen. Acetaldehyde is toxic to the body and must be further broken down by an enzyme called aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH).

For people who are sensitive to alcohol or lack sufficient ALDH, the body struggles to break down the toxic acetaldehyde. It gathers in the bloodstream and triggers a series of physiological reactions, one of which is the dilation of blood vessels in the face. A redness in the face happens, which is commonly referred to as facial flushing.

Who is most likely to suffer from facial flushing?

Drinking is a regular part of culture for millions of people around the world. If you’ve never observed it in a person before, seeing facial flushing in a family member or friend can be quite visually striking and worrying.

Some studies claim as many as 36% of people in East Asia (Japan, China, Korea) show responses to drinking alcohol that include a reddening face. The redness is usually more apparent in lighter skin tones, while people with darker skin may experience a form of pigment discoloration as they drink.

An enzyme deficiency may be passed down genetically, meaning alcohol-induced flushing can run in the family. The flushing is not just cosmetic or surface level; it indicates an issue of alcohol metabolism in your body.

Is an alcohol flush reaction the same as an allergy?

Red facial flushing is one form of “alcohol intolerance.” Alcohol intolerance is a metabolic disorder within the digestive system, meaning your body can’t process alcohol the way it should. Alcohol allergy, on the other hand, causes a response from the body’s immune system. Like most other allergic reactions, your body responds to alcohol as a harmful intruder, producing antibodies to fight it off.

Therefore, a reddening of the face is not an allergy to alcohol, but a classifiable form of alcohol intolerance.

Are there other symptoms to look out for?

For a person who suffers from an alcohol flush reaction, it is beneficial to recognise that facial redness isn’t the only symptom that can result from alcohol sensitivity. When the body struggles to process alcohol effectively, several other symptoms may appear.

Other alcohol intolerance symptoms to watch for include:

• Diarrhea
• Headaches and heartburn
• Hives, or rashes
• Faster heartbeat and heart palpitations
• A lower blood pressure
• Runny nose and nasal congestion
• Stomach pains, leading to nausea or vomiting
• Troubled breathing
• Having asthma can worsen symptoms

Some of these symptoms might seem relatively mild, but frequent and severe reactions to alcohol might be a sign of an underlying condition. If unaddressed, a deficiency in the aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) enzyme may pose long-term health risks.

If you believe alcohol is causing frequent reactions, talk to your doctor.

How dangerous is facial flushing?

While the facial flushing itself may seem harmless, people who experience it have an increased risk of high blood pressure and other health issues.

A person who has an alcohol flush reaction and continues to drink alcohol is at higher risk for certain cancers. The reason for this increase is the acetaldehyde produced is carcinogenic.

As alcohol facial flushing is relatively higher among East Asian ethnic groups, research into its effects is from studies predominantly across Asia. A 2017 study focused on East Asian people investigated the connection between alcohol facial flushing and the risk of cancer. Men who had facial flushing after drinking had a higher risk for oesophageal cancer. However, the study did not find the same increase in women.

A Korean study in 2022 explored connections (in males) between alcohol facial flushing and blood pressure. The research showed that for men who developed facial flushing over time, there was a notably higher risk of developing high blood pressure (hypertension).

How can I better manage red facial flushing?

Avoiding or restricting alcohol is the only sure way to prevent an alcohol-related reaction. Unfortunately, you can’t change the genes or enzyme deficiencies that lead to alcohol facial flushing. The only method may be to cut back on or completely avoid alcohol.

Some people attempt to reduce the visible redness by using over-the-counter antihistamines that reduce discolouration, but it is not recommended. The flushing is more than just a cosmetic issue, it’s a sign that the body has growing levels of toxic acetaldehyde.

Even if you don’t have the problem of turning red as you drink, it may be a good idea to reduce and limit your alcohol intake. The World Health Organization attributes alcohol to 5% of all deaths globally. The WHO also states that alcohol consumption is a “casual factor” in more than 200 diseases, injuries and health conditions.

Excessive alcohol consumption significantly raises health risks, which include:

• Heart disease and strokes
• Certain types of cancer
• Liver disease
• Digestive issues
• Alcohol dependence
• Memory impairment

Where can I turn to improve my relationship with alcohol?

A large proportion of people around the world who have facial flushing after drinking may underestimate the underlying dangers of alcoholism. If today’s points resonate with you or a loved one, we want to let you know we’re here to help.

Here at UKAT, we speciailse in recovery from alcohol addiction. For over a decade, we’ve developed detox and rehab programmes that heal a person as they escape alcohol addiction. Our staff are trained to support you in the recovery process at every step of the way.

Don’t suffer alone. Get in touch with us today to regain control and lead a healthier, alcohol-free life. Our goal is to raise awareness of unhealthy drinking behaviours and to help people with complete treatment for alcoholism.

We are only one phone call away from you or a loved one’s recovery, get in touch today.