What should I do if red spots appear on my hands after drinking alcohol?
Nov 28, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wenmin
Introduction
In general, red spots on the skin after drinking alcohol may be caused by factors such as alcohol-induced blood vessel irritation, effects of alcohol metabolites, alcohol allergy, worsening of eczema, or gout. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and then improve the condition under a doctor's guidance through general management, medication, or other treatments. In daily life, individuals should record their reactions after drinking to understand their personal tolerance levels.
Generally, red spots on the hands after drinking alcohol may be caused by factors such as alcohol-induced blood vessel stimulation, effects of alcohol metabolites, alcohol allergy, worsening eczema, or gout. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and under a doctor's guidance, improve symptoms through general management, medication, and other approaches. A detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Alcohol-induced blood vessel stimulation: Alcohol dilates capillaries in the hands, causing blood congestion and resulting in redness, usually without other discomfort. Immediately stop drinking, drink plenty of warm water to accelerate alcohol metabolism, and apply a cool compress to the hands to promote vasoconstriction and relieve symptoms.
2. Effects of alcohol metabolites: Acetaldehyde, a byproduct of alcohol metabolism, can irritate the skin and lead to red spots, commonly occurring within half an hour after drinking. Avoid drinking on an empty stomach; consume light foods alongside alcohol to reduce acetaldehyde’s irritation to the skin. Drinking honey water may help alleviate symptoms if they are significant.
3. Alcohol allergy: The immune system identifies alcohol as a foreign substance, triggering an allergic reaction characterized by red spots accompanied by itching and rashes, with severe cases possibly involving difficulty breathing. Patients should follow medical advice to take medications such as cetirizine hydrochloride tablets, loratadine capsules, or ebastine tablets, and strictly avoid alcohol and alcohol-containing products in the future.
4. Worsening eczema: Individuals with pre-existing eczema may experience aggravated inflammation due to alcohol, leading to expanded red patches and intensified itching on the hands. Patients should use prescribed topical treatments such as desonide cream, mometasone furoate cream, or hydrocortisone butyrate cream, keep hands clean and dry, and avoid contact with irritants.
5. Gout: Alcohol inhibits uric acid excretion, leading to deposition of urate crystals in hand joints and skin, causing redness and pain. Patients should follow medical instructions to take medications such as allopurinol tablets, febuxostat tablets, or benzbromarone tablets to control uric acid levels, and reduce intake of high-purine foods in their diet.
In daily life, record reactions after drinking to understand individual tolerance. Maintain a light diet and consume more fresh fruits and vegetables to supplement vitamins. Avoid scratching the affected areas when red spots appear to prevent skin damage and potential infection.
