Why does my face get red and blotchy when I drink any kind of alcohol?
2007-02-04 13:11:28 · 14 answers · asked by kaycee b 2 in Health ➔ Other - Health
I am 24 and white. I can drink any kind of alcohol and still get this reaction!! My scalp starts to itch and my face and neck get real red and blotchy. I don't feel sick or anything I just get these symptoms.
2007-02-07 04:17:24 · update #1
Its not rosacea, that conditions causes bumps that don't come on with alcohol. Like some have already said blood cause blood vessels to constrict and blood circulation to the skin is increased, this is why people often get warm when they drink and alcoholics often have larger reddened noses. If there are other symptoms other than the redness it might be an allergy, but otherwise I wouldn't be too concerned.
2007-02-04 13:26:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is usually caused by a change in blood pressure and can also be an allergic response to the tannic acid in the wine.
Some people are only mildly affected and have a cheek blush. Others get blotchy and even have itching of the scalp. You need to avoid wines or alcohol if this is the case The end result may be serious (anaphalactic shock). Many wines now have a lot more chemicals added to them to produce flavor and age. This is usually what causes many of the allergies. There is no law that says these chemicals have to be declared on the bottle. But I am thinking it may be quite necessary in many cases
2007-02-04 13:28:42 · answer #2 · answered by Shelty K 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This used to happen to a friend, and we thought it was an allergy to alcohol, turned out her blood pressure was actually going up, way up. Do you get a headache, or does it feel like there is pressure in your head or face? If so your blood pressure could be going up from the alcohol, if that is the case back off, it could get to be a problem health wise.
2007-02-04 15:08:44 · answer #3 · answered by Granny 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alcohol is a vasodialator, which means the blood vessels all thorough out the body loosen up and expand causing that warm feeling and sometimes a flushing on the skin.
2007-02-04 13:37:41 · answer #4 · answered by Stephanie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alcohol makes blood rush to the skin. This will cause this appearance. This is also why it makes you feel warm when it is actually lowering your body temp. Your skin may be thinner or more easy to see thru than some other peoples thus creating a more dramatic effect on you as oppossed to someone else.
2007-02-04 13:16:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Alcohol, even very small amounts, can cause a facial flush reaction in people who have a genetic variety of the alcohol metabolizing enzyme (acetaldehyde dehydrogenase) that is unusually slow to break down alcohol. This genetic condition is quite common (50%) in people of Asian ancestry (also called "Asian flush disease").
In addition, certain medications can have the same effect (called "disulfiram-like reaction).
2007-02-04 13:23:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anna K 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Its an allergic reaction. If you must drink, i would say do it in small amounts, and eat plenty of food as you drink it. Otherwise, i would not recommend you drinking it at all. Alcohol is very bad.
2007-02-04 13:17:22 · answer #7 · answered by Troubled 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because alcohol constricts the blood vessels causing your skin to turn red
2007-02-04 13:14:57 · answer #8 · answered by ♥♫§weetTart§amantha♫♥ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The condition is called rosacea. Check it out at wikipedia.
2007-02-04 13:17:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Alcohol is a poison, and your body is trying to cope,and having difficulty. Take the hint and leave it alone, or you will likely die young.
2007-02-04 13:16:11 · answer #10 · answered by hasse_john 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋