Why does the face turn red after drinking alcohol?

Generally, facial flushing after drinking alcohol may be caused by factors such as slow acetaldehyde metabolism, alcohol-induced vasodilation, alcohol allergy, seborrheic dermatitis, or rosacea. It is recommended to seek timely medical consultation to determine the exact cause and receive appropriate treatment under a physician's guidance. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Slow acetaldehyde metabolism: Alcohol is metabolized into acetaldehyde in the body. Some individuals have low aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, leading to slow breakdown of acetaldehyde. Accumulated acetaldehyde irritates blood vessels and causes facial flushing. It is advisable to control alcohol intake, drink less or avoid alcohol altogether, and drink slowly to reduce acetaldehyde accumulation.

2. Alcohol-induced vasodilation: Alcohol itself can dilate blood vessels, causing facial capillaries to expand and increasing blood flow, resulting in facial flushing. Consuming food before drinking can delay alcohol absorption, while drinking warm water after alcohol consumption can promote its metabolism and elimination.

3. Alcohol allergy: The immune system may be allergic to alcohol or certain components in alcoholic beverages, causing allergic reactions such as facial flushing, possibly accompanied by itching and rashes. Patients may follow medical advice to use antiallergic medications such as cetirizine hydrochloride tablets, loratadine capsules, or ebastine tablets to alleviate allergic symptoms and should avoid alcohol consumption in the future.

4. Seborrheic dermatitis: Excessive sebum production or Malassezia infection can cause skin inflammation, and alcohol may aggravate the inflammation, leading to facial redness and flaking. Patients may follow medical advice to use topical medications such as ketoconazole cream, tacrolimus ointment, or selenium sulfide shampoo to reduce inflammation and improve skin condition.

5. Rosacea: Abnormal vascular regulation leads to persistent facial vasodilation, and alcohol may trigger or worsen symptoms such as facial flushing, possibly accompanied by papules and pustules. Patients may follow medical advice to use topical medications such as metronidazole gel, azelaic acid cream, or isotretinoin capsules to regulate vascular function and reduce inflammation. In severe cases, intense pulsed light therapy may be performed to close abnormal blood vessels and alleviate facial flushing.

Daily skincare is important. Choose mild skincare products and avoid temperature extremes. Maintain a light diet, reduce intake of spicy and irritating foods, maintain regular sleep patterns, and avoid staying up late, which helps maintain healthy skin and stable metabolism.