According to the Allergy and Asthma Network, about 31.6 million residents in the USA have some form of eczema. Eczema is apparently a daily struggle, causing itchy and irritated skin patches. Notably, some patients find that alcohol-containing products might worsen their symptoms. If so, can giving up alcohol reduce eczema?
Currently, there are numerous trials related to the connection between alcohol and eczema. However, it’s not clear to know if alcohol affects your skin and body. Here’s what to consider in the following parts. Let’s take a look at our in-depth evaluations to reach the proper answer to “Does alcohol give you eczema?”
What is Eczema?
Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a chronic and non-contagious skin condition. Its common symptoms are itchiness, redness, dryness, and oozing from the skin. Once these symptoms are painful, they can lead to discolored and black skin patches.
Though the exact cause of eczema is unknown, it might combine genetics and triggers. In specific individuals, exposure to allergens (e.g., alcohol, fragrances) can cause flare-ups and worsen their eczema symptoms. However, not all lead to similar expressions, either light or heavy, depending on your medical history and immune system.
Can Giving up Alcohol Reduce Eczema?
The short answer to “Can giving up alcohol reduce eczema?” is yes. Despite that, it’s not entirely correct to say that alcohol consumption directly gives you eczema. Giving up alcohol might nearly benefit those who experience flare-ups related to alcohol to prevent health risks, including eczema symptoms. In particular:
- Balance good bacterial microbes
Regular drinking can disrupt the balance of your good bacteria and increase the level of candida—a potential factor linked to eczema symptoms. This helps regain the immune system’s strength and improve the skin’s sensitivity. To attain this healthy level, you need to follow the proper dietary support without alcohol use at certain times.
- Reduce infection susceptibility
Individuals with eczema are more susceptible to skin infections, which might cause unexpected flare-ups. Notably, “chronic heavy alcohol drinking is associated with a decreased frequency of lymphocytes and increased risk of both bacterial and viral infections.”, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH).
In fact, when you decrease alcohol consumption, you might balance the level of white blood cells. This improves your host defense system and protects your health against external invaders.
- Improve skin hydration and redness
It has been proved that alcohol might dilate blood vessels, causing red and flushed patches on the skin. These are typically experienced by eczema sufferers, further highlighting inflamed areas. Thus, some people consider quitting alcohol can help improve their skin hydration and eczema symptoms.
Symptoms Alcohol Affects Your Eczema
Now that we have answered, “Can giving up alcohol reduce eczema?” it’s time to discuss more about potential health risks related to excessive alcohol or alcohol intolerance.
1. Inflammation
Alcohol digestion leads to the development of inflammatory cells called “cytokines,” potentially worsening the body’s largest organ, the skin, and eczema symptoms. This means that when you eliminate alcohol, you partially decrease inflammation in your skin and boost the skin barrier’s function.
2. Skin Healing
Alcohol might reduce the ability to absorb essential nutrients and vitamins, which are vital for skin repair. This slows down the skin healing process, making it challenging for your skin to recover from the eczema outbreak. Once you quit alcohol intake, you can see significant improvements in your skin; however, it takes a specific time.
3. Histamine
Histamine is a compound that your body releases in response to allergic reactions. When alcohol is present in your body, histamine appears and increases blood flow, causing inflammation and swelling. The higher the level of histamine, the more itchy your skin. This can leave your body in remarkable irritation and eczema flare-ups.
Reduce Eczema with Phoilex’s Skin Products!
You can start reducing your alcohol consumption to prevent the negative impacts of alcohol on eczema. However, it’s not easy to remove alcohol from your life dietary in specific patients. If you wish to stop your intake, you can set a particular goal, keep track of drinking, or even ask for support from your healthcare professional.
Additionally, you may prefer alternatives like low-alcohol or alcohol-free products to treat your eczema symptoms. Not all “alcohols” in the ingredient labels are bad for your skin. Some types of alcohols cause toxic expressions, such as ethyl alcohol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, (SD) alcohols, and alcohol denat.
The Food and Drug Administration (FAD) permits “alcohol-free” skin products to include fatty alcohols (e,g. cetyl alcohol, Cetearyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol). These ingredients can help prevent flare-ups, reduce irritation, and enhance the skin barrier. Unless you are sensitive to them, you can freely use them.
Currently, Phoilex offers alcohol-free products that aim to support skin hydration and improve eczema symptoms. Phoilex’s Active Releaf Spot Gel and Liverty Dynamic Drops are highly recommended thanks to their power to calm inflamed areas. More importantly, both are derived from natural properties and can work together without allergic problems.
Our blog has just provided the necessary aspects surrounding “Can giving up alcohol reduce eczema?” While alcohol doesn’t directly cause eczema, reducing its intake might effectively improve symptoms. Join the #PhoilexFam to explore our alcohol-free skin products for gentle eczema management.
FAQs
Many people have questions about how alcohol use affects the skin. Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions to help you better understand this impact.
1. Does Drinking Alcohol Worsen Eczema?
There is no clear evidence that alcohol causes eczema on your skin. However, drinking alcohol might trigger flare-ups and worsen eczema symptoms. Even having an excessive intake of alcohol can increase inflammation, slow skin healing, and damage the immune system.
2. Will Quitting Alcohol Improve My Skin?
The answer is yes. After quitting alcohol for about four weeks, you can see better skin improvements thanks to increased cell turnover and water absorption. Additionally, removing alcohol brings numerous benefits to your health: encouraging quality sleep, reducing blood pressure, and keeping your liver healthy.
References:
- Eczema Statistics. (n.d.). Allergy & Asthma Network. https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/what-is-eczema/eczema-statistics/
- Barr, T., Helms, C., Grant, K., & Messaoudi, I. (2016). Opposing effects of alcohol on the immune system. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, 65, 242–251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnpbp.2015.09.001
- Nutrition, C. for F. S. and A. (2020). “Alcohol Free.” FDA. https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-labeling-claims/alcohol-free
- MedlinePlus. (n.d.). White blood count (WBC). U.S. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved September 27, 2024, from https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/white-blood-count-wbc/
