Do you get a red face after drinking? Whether it’s one drink or several that result in an alcoholic red face, this facial flushing is caused by blood vessels in the face that dilate in response to toxins created by the digestion of alcohol within the body.
Facial flush after drinking is a sign of alcohol sensitivity and can also be indicative of other health issues. Our Treasure Coast alcohol detox center explores more about what causes alcohol flush and what to do about it.
Why Does My Face Turn Red After Drinking Alcohol?
It’s a familiar situation, after having an alcoholic drink, your face turns red. So, what causes this? Alcohol flush, or a red face after drinking, is caused by toxins that are created in the body’s alcohol digestion processes. As the body breaks down alcohol and ethanol, it uses metabolites that are supposed to make it easier to flush alcohol and its counterparts from the body. One metabolite, acetaldehyde, is toxic to the body and can build up to high levels in people with alcohol sensitivity. As it builds, blood vessels in the face dilate as a response to the higher levels of toxins in the body. 1Studies show that people who experience alcohol flush and have high alcohol sensitivity may be susceptible to other issues including high blood pressure. Getting a red face after drinking can also be associated with unpleasant symptoms like nausea or increased heart rate. 1
What to Do If Your Face Turns Red After Drinking
Alcohol flush can be embarrassing and even concerning for some people. It’s a sign that you have high alcohol sensitivity and your body does not process alcohol as others do. While an alcohol flush reaction is not immediately dangerous in most cases, it is a sign that you should stop drinking as your body is already having a difficult time digesting the alcohol you’ve consumed. Many people who experience alcohol flush may have bad effects of drinking and there are already many health problems related to alcohol consumption.Getting sober is the best way to avoid alcohol flush and its associated dangers. At Banyan Detox Stuart, we offer alcohol detox and dual diagnosis drug detox to help people get and stay sober.
Call 888-280-4763 to learn how we can help you recover.
Sources:
- Medical News Today – Why does my face go red after drinking alcohol?
Alyssa, Director of Digital Marketing
Alyssa is the National Director of Digital Marketing and is responsible for a multitude of integrated campaigns and events in the behavioral health and addictions field. All articles have been written by Alyssa and medically reviewed by our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Darrin Mangiacarne.
