If your face gets flushed or breaks out from alcohol, it's best to abstain. But if you don't want to be a party pooper around this time of the year, and you still want to enjoy a drink or two at a party, there are ways to minimise alcohol's effects. Alcohol may get the party going, but it doesn't agree with everyone. Apart from flushing and breakouts, it can also aggravate rosacea and cause permanently enlarged veins on the face, especially on the nose, cheeks, and chin.
These symptoms can be especially severe if your body is unable to metabolise alcohol properly. Up to 50 per cent of Asians lack the enzymes necessary to metabolise alcohol; it's common, therefore, for Asians to experience very red, swollen faces and a racing heartbeat, even after very small amounts of alcohol. It has been estimated that 20 to 30 per cent of Caucasians also have a flushing response, although it doesn't tend to be as severe as it is in Asians.
How to avoid symptoms from alcohol
The best way to avoid symptoms is to abstain from alcohol altogether. Stick to club soda, or ask the bartender to mix in some cranberry juice for a spritzer. If you want to enjoy a drink or two, here's how to minimise the damage:
Drink water. Be sure to have one glass of water between each glass of alcohol to avoid dehydration. Remember, dehydration can make wrinkles more apparent and it contributes to hangovers. Rehydrate by drinking plenty of fluids the next morning.
Avoid the worst offenders. Beer and wine, especially red wine, contain compounds that cause flushing, so go for mixed drinks made with distilled alcohol, such as gin, vodka, or whisky.
Go sulfite-free. If you must drink wine, look for sulfite-free wines-there should be an indication on the label. Sulfites, which act as preservatives, can cause flushing and redness. White wines tend to have fewer sulfites than reds. Also look for organic or biodynamic wines because they won't contain sulfites.
Keep cool. People with rosacea are sensitive to heat as well as alcohol, so stay away from hot drinks (with or without alcohol)-or at least let it cool before you drink it. And just in case you throw caution to the wind and wake up with a hangover, here are some tips that would help you get over the discomfort.
Hydrate yourself. This is the most important thing and must be done before anything else. You didn't do it the night before, so start right now. Even if you're feeling sick to your stomach, you absolutely must start drinking water and lots of it. Not only does it work to naturally flush toxins out of your system, it hydrates you.
Take aspirin. Put down the bottle of acetaminophen as it's bad for your liver. You already did damage enough to that organ last night. Aspirin works faster on aches and pains.
Rest and recuperate. The best cure for the hangover is to let your body recover in its own time. If you don't have an entire day to sleep and let yourself recover, put aside at least 20 minutes that you have to yourself and lay down. Even if you can't fall asleep completely, letting your body rest is very important. You'll feel the difference when you get up.
Prevent it from happening again. In the future if you come home drunk knowing that you may wake up with a hangover, drink two full glasses of water before you go to bed. If you have a multi-vitamin you take, take another for good measure and a couple of aspirin. Your body will thank you in the morning. Enjoy your parties.