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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Facial Flushing After Drinking Alcohol?

Hi - whenever I have a drink of alcohol, my face turns bright red. Could be as little as a 1/2 glass of wine, or a beer. If i have something stronger, say a margarita, it happens quicker. I and am otherwise 100% healthy - what could cause this? Do I have an allergy to alcohol? This has happened a few times in the past few years, so I just generally skip having a drink. Not the same as a hot flash - just my cheeks flare up red.
posted on Tue, 27 Dec 2016
Twitter Thu, 2 Feb 2017 Answered on
Twitter Thu, 2 Feb 2017 Last reviewed on
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Addiction Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
It's a common genetic variation in not being able to get rid of the breakdown product of alcohol (acetaldehyde). Antabuse works because it prevents the getting rid of acetaldehyde and the build up of it causes these symptoms. It is pretty common (most Asians) to not be able to get rid of Acetaldehyde so easily. There are drugs (like antabuse) that can block the getting rid of acetaldehyde and cause a short term problem with alcohol that clears up after stopping the drug.
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What Causes Facial Flushing After Drinking Alcohol?

It s a common genetic variation in not being able to get rid of the breakdown product of alcohol (acetaldehyde). Antabuse works because it prevents the getting rid of acetaldehyde and the build up of it causes these symptoms. It is pretty common (most Asians) to not be able to get rid of Acetaldehyde so easily. There are drugs (like antabuse) that can block the getting rid of acetaldehyde and cause a short term problem with alcohol that clears up after stopping the drug.