Somefolks witheczemasay their favoriteboozy bevvieswreak havoc on theirskin. But what does science say? 🤔
Unfortunately, there haven’t been many studies on the link betweenalcoholand theitchy patchesandcracked skinof an eczemaflare-up. But that doesn’t mean the connection isn’t real for some people or certaintypes of eczema.
Let’s unpack the facts oneczemaandalcohol.
How does alcohol affect eczema?
Experts are still unsure whether drinkingalcoholmakeseczemaworse.
Some people living with atopic dermatitis (AD) or other forms ofeczemareport thatdrinkingtriggers symptoms, but researchers have found no consistent link betweenalcoholand eczema flares.
Folks witheczemacan track their symptoms to pinpoint personal triggers and determine whether alcohol is an issue.
Eczema and allergies: An important link
More than 31 million Americans live withatopic dermatitis (AD) or another form of eczema. Despite that, this chronic skin condition is still frequently misunderstood. Is it an autoimmune disease? Arecurring rash? Anallergic reaction?
The answer might be yes to all of that. Eczema can feel like an endless cycle of flares — intenselyitchy,dry, scalyrashes— followed by seasons of remission.Researchsuggests that AD, one of the most common types of eczema, might be an autoimmune condition that is first triggered by an allergic reaction.
When your body’s immune system rallies against a perceived threat, it released compounds calledhistamines. These histamines can trigger unpleasant symptoms like red orpurple splotchesandintense itching.
So, if you have eczema and your body encounters a trigger (a newlaundry detergent,perfume, or, maybe booze), the histamines can go a little haywire.
Basically, a flare-up can be helped along by an allergic response, but eczema is more than just an allergy. The longer you let a flare go unchecked and untreated, the worse it could get… so it’s super important to pinpoint your triggers and figure out whichtreatmentshelp.
So, alcohol and eczema: Will drinking trigger a flare?
Short answer: we don’t know.
So far, researchers haven’t identified alcohol as a trigger for everyone living with eczema. That means it might be a trigger for you, but it also might not.
It could be a two-way street
A2017 reportnoted that there’s a significant link between inflammatory skin conditions (hey-o, eczema) and alcohol use disorder. A small2021 studyof 385 dermatology patients also found that 23 percent of the folks with eczema also struggled to control theiralcohol consumption.
But sussing out the exact relationship betweeneczemaand alcohol is tricky. Which came first? Researchers still aren’t sure if heavy drinking triggers eczema flares or if folks experiencing a flare tend to drink to deal with thestress. Or maybe both are true.
Alcohol could exacerbate dry skin
Ever wondered why there’s always a line for the bathroom at the club? Two reasons:
Anythingdehydratingis no bueno for someone with itchy,dry skin.
Researchsuggests that alcohol also affects yourskin barrier, whichlocks hydration inand keeps irritants out.
Alcohol’s propensity to dehydrate and weaken your skin’s natural protective barrier means it’s likely to do more harm than good when it comes to eczema.
PSA for pregnant peeps
A 2018research reviewfound that drinking alcohol whilepregnantincreases the baby’s risk of developing eczema.
What about other triggers?
Eczematriggerscan be sneaky. They’re tricky to identify because of the lag between exposure to the irritant and reaction on your skin. Food-related flares typically take between6 and 24 hoursto erupt.
A few common triggers:
Dietary triggers
A 2018 research review found thatfoodcan affect eczema — but most folks have to complete anelimination dietto pinpoint their personal triggers. The review also said that kids are more likely than adults to have food-triggered eczema.
Here are a few common culprits:
Remember, these foods aren’t an issue foreveryonewith eczema. That’s why you should talk with your doc or allergist if you think your diet is exacerbating your skin probs. They can help you create an elimination diet specific to your symptoms.
How to enjoy alcohol with eczema
There’s no clear scientific evidence thatboozewill trigger your next eczema flare. Still, some people report itching, dryness, and inflammation after a night out. So what’s a person with eczema to do?
