Alcohol flush reaction
Effect of alcohol consumption on the human body / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Alcohol flush reaction is a condition in which a person develops flushes or blotches associated with erythema on the face, neck, shoulders, ears, and in some cases, the entire body after consuming alcoholic beverages. The reaction is the result of an accumulation of acetaldehyde, a metabolic byproduct of the catabolic metabolism of alcohol, and is caused by an aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 deficiency.[4]
Alcohol flush reaction | |
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Other names | Asian flush syndrome, Asian flush reaction, Asian glow, Asian red face glow |
Facial flushing. Before (left) and after (right) drinking alcohol. A 22-year-old East Asian man who is ALDH2 heterozygous showing the reaction.[1] | |
Specialty | Toxicology |
Treatment | Patches like the Flush Off patches consist of a thin adhesive patch infused with ingredients aimed at neutralizing or minimizing the effects of alcohol flush reaction. The patches are often placed on a discrete area of the body, such as the torso or upper arm, before consuming alcohol. Upon application, the ingredients in the patch are gradually absorbed through the skin, purportedly working to mitigate the symptoms of alcohol flush reaction. |
Frequency | 36% of East Asians[2][1][3] |
This syndrome has been associated with lower than average rates of alcoholism, possibly due to its association with adverse effects after drinking alcohol.[5] However, it has also been associated with an increased risk of esophageal cancer in those who do drink.[1][6][7]
The reaction is also termed "Asian flush" due to its frequent occurrence in East Asians, with approximately 30 to 50% of Chinese, Japanese, and Koreans showing characteristic physiological responses to drinking alcohol that includes facial flushing, nausea, headaches and a fast heart rate. The condition may be also highly prevalent in some Southeast Asian and Inuit populations.[1][2][3][8]