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What is the Connection Between Rosacea and Alcohol?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Rosacea and alcohol have a reputation for being connected, as people who drink heavily often develop facial reddening in the long term. Studies indicate that alcohol does not cause rosacea, as is popularly believed, but it can be a trigger for someone who already has this skin condition. People with rosacea may want to avoid drinking alcohol and should definitely avoid alcohol-based skincare products, as they can trigger flareups of rosacea.

Rosacea is a condition seen primarily in fairskinned people where the face is subject to flushing and redness. People can flush in response to dietary triggers, stress, excitement, cold, and a number of other factors. This condition can cause embarrassment for patients, and there are treatments available to minimize rosacea symptoms and make people feel more comfortable.

Alcohol can be a trigger for someone with rosacea.
Alcohol can be a trigger for someone with rosacea.

In the case of rosacea and alcohol, a number of famous people known for heavy drinking also had rosacea and developed extreme symptoms of untreated rosacea including lumpy, reddish skin and excess tissue on their faces. This led to a false belief that drinking alcohol would cause this condition, while these individuals actually had rosacea before they started abusing alcohol, and the high alcohol consumption simply made the condition worse.

A range of facial flushing can be observed in rosacea patients drinking different types of alcohol like beer or wine.
A range of facial flushing can be observed in rosacea patients drinking different types of alcohol like beer or wine.

Alcohol can trigger a flareup of rosacea by dilating the blood vessels, increasing bloodflow to the face and causing facial flushing. In addition, some alcohols contain other compounds known to dilate blood vessels, explaining the range of facial flushing observed in rosacea patients drinking different types of alcohol like beer, wine, and hard spirits. Rosacea and alcohol can be a bad mix, as the face will flush while drinking and this can contribute to the development of permanent damage in the long term.

Alcohol can trigger a flareup of rosacea by dilating the blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the face and causing facial flushing.
Alcohol can trigger a flareup of rosacea by dilating the blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the face and causing facial flushing.

People with rosacea have a number of options when it comes to managing the condition. Medications and surgery are available to treat facial flushing and lifestyle adjustments can also be made. Drinking rarely and in moderation can reduce the number of rosacea episodes caused by alcohol, keeping the risk of permanent damage to the face low. People concerned about rosacea and alcohol can try testing different kinds of drinks to see which are least likely to cause facial flushing. Doctors may be able to provide advice to help patients identify the safest drinks for consumption in moderation on social occasions.

Some avoid drinking in social settings because the alcohol leads to blushing.
Some avoid drinking in social settings because the alcohol leads to blushing.

Damage to the skin associated with rosacea and alcohol consumption can be made worse by exposure to ultraviolet light and other sources of skin damage. People should be aware of the sensitivity of their skin and use appropriate protections on the face to keep damage limited so their skin will be clear later in life.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

ysmina

@stoneMason-- I don't think that alcohol causes rosacea. It can dilate the vessels so it may cause some temporary flushing or redness. But rosacea is a rather permanent flushing that worsens with stress and sunlight. But there are plenty of people who drink alcohol without experiencing these issues.

So I think that someone has to be predisposed to rosacea in order to develop it. Perhaps alcohol could be a factor triggering it. It may cause rosacea to show up, but someone who does not have rosacea in his or her genes is not going to get it from drinking.

stoneMason

@burcinc-- I think that genes is a factor when it comes to rosacea and alcohol. Asians are at greater risk of experiencing flushing due to alcohol, and so are other fair skinned people. Those prone to rosacea or who are suffering from the condition already need to avoid alcohol.

It is known that frequent use of alcohol can cause rosacea and many alcoholics suffer from it like the article mentioned.

burcinc

I thought that flushing due to alcohol only occurs in Asians. Am I wrong? Can alcohol use lead to rosacea in anyone?

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    • Alcohol can be a trigger for someone with rosacea.
      By: Sergey Nivens
      Alcohol can be a trigger for someone with rosacea.
    • A range of facial flushing can be observed in rosacea patients drinking different types of alcohol like beer or wine.
      By: Kzenon
      A range of facial flushing can be observed in rosacea patients drinking different types of alcohol like beer or wine.
    • Alcohol can trigger a flareup of rosacea by dilating the blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the face and causing facial flushing.
      By: BlueSkyImages
      Alcohol can trigger a flareup of rosacea by dilating the blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the face and causing facial flushing.
    • Some avoid drinking in social settings because the alcohol leads to blushing.
      By: V&P Photo Studio
      Some avoid drinking in social settings because the alcohol leads to blushing.
    • Stress can trigger flushing.
      By: Jasminko Ibrakovic
      Stress can trigger flushing.