Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAlcohol and EczemaAlcohol Varieties & EczemaTracking TriggersDrink Responsibly
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Alcohol and Eczema
Alcohol Varieties & Eczema
Tracking Triggers
Drink Responsibly
Some studies ofnummular(discoid) eczema have found an association between alcohol consumption and a flare.The American Academy of Dermatology lists heavy alcohol drinking as a possible cause of a flare of nummular eczema.
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Eczema DefinedThe term “eczema” encompasses seven types of inflammatory skin conditions that cause dry skin, itching, rashes, scaly patches, blisters, and skin infections:Atopic dermatitisContact dermatitisDyshidrotic eczemaNummular eczemaSeborrheic dermatitisStasis dermatitis
Eczema Defined
The term “eczema” encompasses seven types of inflammatory skin conditions that cause dry skin, itching, rashes, scaly patches, blisters, and skin infections:Atopic dermatitisContact dermatitisDyshidrotic eczemaNummular eczemaSeborrheic dermatitisStasis dermatitis
The term “eczema” encompasses seven types of inflammatory skin conditions that cause dry skin, itching, rashes, scaly patches, blisters, and skin infections:
Alcohol, Eczema, and the Immune System
Alcohol, the immune system, and the skin interact with one another.
Some reasons researchers suspect a link between drinking alcohol and experiencing eczema symptoms include:
Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers and EczemaRegular use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers has not been shown to increase the incidence of hand eczema.
Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers and Eczema
Regular use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers has not been shown to increase the incidence of hand eczema.
Psoriasis studies show that the amount and frequency of drinking may be related to the severity and onset of the condition.
Alcohol intake, specifically liquor and white wine, has been associated with an increased risk of rosacea in women.
More research is needed to understand how alcohol can impact these skin conditions, but studies show that the body responds to each in similar ways: increased susceptibility to infections, stimulation of immune cells, and inflammatory responses.
Alcohol and Eczema Medication Interactions
It’s always risky to mix alcohol with medications. Drinking while taking medication can change the effectiveness of the medication and tax the liver, amongother dangerous effects.
Here are some specific alcohol-eczema medication interactions to be aware of:
Eczema and Alcohol: Does What You Drink Matter?
It’s not uncommon to have botheczema and food allergies(or sensitivities). A 2017 study found that a large percentage of people with eczema have some form of food allergy.
Histamines are responsible for cueing allergic reactions in the body (like inflammation in the skin). That’s why some people with histamine intolerance will get a “red wine headache.” Others, especially those with existing skin conditions, may experience an increase in itchy skin.
If you notice itching after drinking, consider switching to a mocktail or low-histamine alcohol, such as vodka. Avoid red wine, beer, and aged liquor, which havehigh levels of histamines. Histamines are also found in foods and drinks that have been fermented.
Tracking Your Triggers
Keeping track of your daily habits, food, and stress can help you narrow down the impact each has on your eczema. When it comes to determining your reaction to alcohol, try using a food and drink journal to track when flairs occur.
Consider keeping a close eye on other ingredients in drinks, such as mixers, fruits, or flavorings, too. You may be reacting to a different food source rather than, or in addition to, alcohol.
Is itching after drinking due to an allergy?In short, yes. Alcohol contains histamines (and histamine-inducing compounds), which are responsible for causing allergic reactions in the body. These inflammatory reactions range from headaches to itchy skin.
Is itching after drinking due to an allergy?
In short, yes. Alcohol contains histamines (and histamine-inducing compounds), which are responsible for causing allergic reactions in the body. These inflammatory reactions range from headaches to itchy skin.
Being aware of how much and how often you drink is important. There is mounting research linking chronic skin conditions with alcohol misuse.
A 2021 study found analcohol use disorder (AUD)in 23% of people with eczema and 28% of people with psoriasis.About 10% of the general public misuses alcohol.
Some studies highlight how eczema and other chronic skin conditions can affect mental health. Others note the connection between liver function, the skin, and eczema.
Bottom line, finding strategies to limit or halt alcohol consumption may help improve eczema flares in some cases. This may include adding stress-reducing or confidence-boosting exercises, seeing a therapist, or just being more mindful of when and why drinking seems beneficial.
How Long Until Skin Improves After Quitting Alcohol?The condition of the skin should begin to improve within a few days to weeks after alcohol cessation. Over time any ruddyness will improve and collagen will increase, improving hydration and reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
How Long Until Skin Improves After Quitting Alcohol?
The condition of the skin should begin to improve within a few days to weeks after alcohol cessation. Over time any ruddyness will improve and collagen will increase, improving hydration and reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
Summary
There is no direct research linking alcohol consumption to eczema flares or new cases of eczema. However, medical observations and personal anecdotes are encouraging more research.
Experts may not fully understand why eczema gets worse after alcohol consumption, but they know how alcohol and the body interact.
Food sensitivities, dehydration, histamine intolerance, and overall low liver function are all factors in alcohol-induced eczema flares. Track alcohol intake and find what works for you.
18 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Halling-Overgaard AS, Hamann CR, Holm RP, et al.Atopic dermatitis and alcohol use - a meta-analysis and systematic review.J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2018;32(8):1238-1245. doi:10.1111/jdv.14814Nosrati A, Afifi L, Danesh MJ, Lee K, Yan D, Beroukhim K, Ahn R, Liao W.Dietary modifications in atopic dermatitis: patient-reported outcomes.J Dermatolog Treat. 2017;28(6):523-538. doi:10.1080/09546634.2016Jiamton S, Tangjaturonrusamee C, Kulthanan K.Clinical features and aggravating factors in nummular eczema in Thais.Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol. 2013;31(1):36-42.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: nummular eczema causes.National Eczema Association.What is Eczema?Sawada Y, Saito-Sasaki N, Mashima E, Nakamura M.Daily lifestyle and inflammatory skin diseases.International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2021;22(10):5204. doi:10.3390/ijms22105204Liu SW, Lien MH, Fenske NA.The effects of alcohol and drug abuse on the skin.Clinics in Dermatology. 2010;28(4):391-399. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2010.03.024Douladiris N, Vakirlis E, Vassilopoulou E.Atopic dermatitis and water: Is there an optimum water intake level for improving atopic skin?Children (Basel). 2023;10(2):273. doi:10.3390/children10020273Svanström C, Lonne-Rahm SB, Nordlind K.Psoriasis and alcohol.Psoriasis (Auckl). 2019;9:75-79. doi:10.2147/PTT.S164104Trevejo-Nunez G, Kolls JK, de Wit M.Alcohol use as a risk factor in infections and healing: a clinician’s perspective.Alcohol Res. 2015;37(2):177-84Loh EW, Yew YW.Hand hygiene and hand eczema: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Contact Dermatitis. 2022;87(4):303-314. doi:10.1111/cod.14133MedlinePlus.Porphyria.Li S, Cho E, Drucker AM, Qureshi AA, Li WQ.Alcohol intake and risk of rosacea in US women.Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2017;76(6):1061-1067.e2. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2017.02.040National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Harmful interactions.Taneja G, Das A, Kansal NK, Hazarika N.Increased prevalence of alcohol use disorder (AUD) in psoriasis and dermatitis (eczema).Skinmed. 2021;19(2):120-127.Tsakok T, Marrs T, Mohsin M, et al.Does atopic dermatitis cause food allergy? A systematic review.The Lancet. 2017;389:S95. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(17)30491-9Zhao Y, Zhang X, Jin H, Chen L, Ji J, Zhang Z.Histamine intolerance-a kind of pseudoallergic reaction.Biomolecules. 2022;12(3):454. doi:10.3390/biom12030454National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics.Alcohol Abuse Statistics.
18 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Halling-Overgaard AS, Hamann CR, Holm RP, et al.Atopic dermatitis and alcohol use - a meta-analysis and systematic review.J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2018;32(8):1238-1245. doi:10.1111/jdv.14814Nosrati A, Afifi L, Danesh MJ, Lee K, Yan D, Beroukhim K, Ahn R, Liao W.Dietary modifications in atopic dermatitis: patient-reported outcomes.J Dermatolog Treat. 2017;28(6):523-538. doi:10.1080/09546634.2016Jiamton S, Tangjaturonrusamee C, Kulthanan K.Clinical features and aggravating factors in nummular eczema in Thais.Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol. 2013;31(1):36-42.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: nummular eczema causes.National Eczema Association.What is Eczema?Sawada Y, Saito-Sasaki N, Mashima E, Nakamura M.Daily lifestyle and inflammatory skin diseases.International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2021;22(10):5204. doi:10.3390/ijms22105204Liu SW, Lien MH, Fenske NA.The effects of alcohol and drug abuse on the skin.Clinics in Dermatology. 2010;28(4):391-399. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2010.03.024Douladiris N, Vakirlis E, Vassilopoulou E.Atopic dermatitis and water: Is there an optimum water intake level for improving atopic skin?Children (Basel). 2023;10(2):273. doi:10.3390/children10020273Svanström C, Lonne-Rahm SB, Nordlind K.Psoriasis and alcohol.Psoriasis (Auckl). 2019;9:75-79. doi:10.2147/PTT.S164104Trevejo-Nunez G, Kolls JK, de Wit M.Alcohol use as a risk factor in infections and healing: a clinician’s perspective.Alcohol Res. 2015;37(2):177-84Loh EW, Yew YW.Hand hygiene and hand eczema: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Contact Dermatitis. 2022;87(4):303-314. doi:10.1111/cod.14133MedlinePlus.Porphyria.Li S, Cho E, Drucker AM, Qureshi AA, Li WQ.Alcohol intake and risk of rosacea in US women.Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2017;76(6):1061-1067.e2. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2017.02.040National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Harmful interactions.Taneja G, Das A, Kansal NK, Hazarika N.Increased prevalence of alcohol use disorder (AUD) in psoriasis and dermatitis (eczema).Skinmed. 2021;19(2):120-127.Tsakok T, Marrs T, Mohsin M, et al.Does atopic dermatitis cause food allergy? A systematic review.The Lancet. 2017;389:S95. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(17)30491-9Zhao Y, Zhang X, Jin H, Chen L, Ji J, Zhang Z.Histamine intolerance-a kind of pseudoallergic reaction.Biomolecules. 2022;12(3):454. doi:10.3390/biom12030454National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics.Alcohol Abuse Statistics.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Halling-Overgaard AS, Hamann CR, Holm RP, et al.Atopic dermatitis and alcohol use - a meta-analysis and systematic review.J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2018;32(8):1238-1245. doi:10.1111/jdv.14814Nosrati A, Afifi L, Danesh MJ, Lee K, Yan D, Beroukhim K, Ahn R, Liao W.Dietary modifications in atopic dermatitis: patient-reported outcomes.J Dermatolog Treat. 2017;28(6):523-538. doi:10.1080/09546634.2016Jiamton S, Tangjaturonrusamee C, Kulthanan K.Clinical features and aggravating factors in nummular eczema in Thais.Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol. 2013;31(1):36-42.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: nummular eczema causes.National Eczema Association.What is Eczema?Sawada Y, Saito-Sasaki N, Mashima E, Nakamura M.Daily lifestyle and inflammatory skin diseases.International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2021;22(10):5204. doi:10.3390/ijms22105204Liu SW, Lien MH, Fenske NA.The effects of alcohol and drug abuse on the skin.Clinics in Dermatology. 2010;28(4):391-399. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2010.03.024Douladiris N, Vakirlis E, Vassilopoulou E.Atopic dermatitis and water: Is there an optimum water intake level for improving atopic skin?Children (Basel). 2023;10(2):273. doi:10.3390/children10020273Svanström C, Lonne-Rahm SB, Nordlind K.Psoriasis and alcohol.Psoriasis (Auckl). 2019;9:75-79. doi:10.2147/PTT.S164104Trevejo-Nunez G, Kolls JK, de Wit M.Alcohol use as a risk factor in infections and healing: a clinician’s perspective.Alcohol Res. 2015;37(2):177-84Loh EW, Yew YW.Hand hygiene and hand eczema: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Contact Dermatitis. 2022;87(4):303-314. doi:10.1111/cod.14133MedlinePlus.Porphyria.Li S, Cho E, Drucker AM, Qureshi AA, Li WQ.Alcohol intake and risk of rosacea in US women.Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2017;76(6):1061-1067.e2. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2017.02.040National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Harmful interactions.Taneja G, Das A, Kansal NK, Hazarika N.Increased prevalence of alcohol use disorder (AUD) in psoriasis and dermatitis (eczema).Skinmed. 2021;19(2):120-127.Tsakok T, Marrs T, Mohsin M, et al.Does atopic dermatitis cause food allergy? A systematic review.The Lancet. 2017;389:S95. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(17)30491-9Zhao Y, Zhang X, Jin H, Chen L, Ji J, Zhang Z.Histamine intolerance-a kind of pseudoallergic reaction.Biomolecules. 2022;12(3):454. doi:10.3390/biom12030454National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics.Alcohol Abuse Statistics.
Halling-Overgaard AS, Hamann CR, Holm RP, et al.Atopic dermatitis and alcohol use - a meta-analysis and systematic review.J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2018;32(8):1238-1245. doi:10.1111/jdv.14814
Nosrati A, Afifi L, Danesh MJ, Lee K, Yan D, Beroukhim K, Ahn R, Liao W.Dietary modifications in atopic dermatitis: patient-reported outcomes.J Dermatolog Treat. 2017;28(6):523-538. doi:10.1080/09546634.2016
Jiamton S, Tangjaturonrusamee C, Kulthanan K.Clinical features and aggravating factors in nummular eczema in Thais.Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol. 2013;31(1):36-42.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: nummular eczema causes.
National Eczema Association.What is Eczema?
Sawada Y, Saito-Sasaki N, Mashima E, Nakamura M.Daily lifestyle and inflammatory skin diseases.International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2021;22(10):5204. doi:10.3390/ijms22105204
Liu SW, Lien MH, Fenske NA.The effects of alcohol and drug abuse on the skin.Clinics in Dermatology. 2010;28(4):391-399. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2010.03.024
Douladiris N, Vakirlis E, Vassilopoulou E.Atopic dermatitis and water: Is there an optimum water intake level for improving atopic skin?Children (Basel). 2023;10(2):273. doi:10.3390/children10020273
Svanström C, Lonne-Rahm SB, Nordlind K.Psoriasis and alcohol.Psoriasis (Auckl). 2019;9:75-79. doi:10.2147/PTT.S164104
Trevejo-Nunez G, Kolls JK, de Wit M.Alcohol use as a risk factor in infections and healing: a clinician’s perspective.Alcohol Res. 2015;37(2):177-84
Loh EW, Yew YW.Hand hygiene and hand eczema: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Contact Dermatitis. 2022;87(4):303-314. doi:10.1111/cod.14133
MedlinePlus.Porphyria.
Li S, Cho E, Drucker AM, Qureshi AA, Li WQ.Alcohol intake and risk of rosacea in US women.Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2017;76(6):1061-1067.e2. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2017.02.040
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Harmful interactions.
Taneja G, Das A, Kansal NK, Hazarika N.Increased prevalence of alcohol use disorder (AUD) in psoriasis and dermatitis (eczema).Skinmed. 2021;19(2):120-127.
Tsakok T, Marrs T, Mohsin M, et al.Does atopic dermatitis cause food allergy? A systematic review.The Lancet. 2017;389:S95. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(17)30491-9
Zhao Y, Zhang X, Jin H, Chen L, Ji J, Zhang Z.Histamine intolerance-a kind of pseudoallergic reaction.Biomolecules. 2022;12(3):454. doi:10.3390/biom12030454
National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics.Alcohol Abuse Statistics.
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