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Original poster

To ask if you have started getting bright red cheeks after drinking alcohol in middle age

56 replies

Mightneedencouraged · 31/03/2026 22:08

Just met some friends for an after work drinks and my cheeks are livid! This definitely never used to happen. How embarrassing.

OP posts:
WhatATimeToBeAlive · 01/04/2026 08:12

I don't personally but have friends that do so I think it's pretty common tbh.

Shesellsseashellsontheseashore · 01/04/2026 08:11

Yes in the last few years it happened with wine, white and rose, cider and certain spirits. Face, neck and chest go red, hot and occasionally itchy. I've stopped drinking those now. I can drink flavoured gins without any effect.

Fatiguedwithlife · 01/04/2026 08:03

I get it randomly even without alcohol on board. Just face and neck, sometimes upper chest.
After exercise
After sex
After a drink (any)
Randomly at work mid afternoon
After being out in the cold
After being out in the wind

It can be really uncomfortable, face feels like it’s burning. On HRT now and it’s improved initially but last few weeks is getting worse again. Wonder if I need to up the HRT as having might sweats again too

landlordhell · 01/04/2026 07:46

I did notice it happened sometimes after I got to menopause. I have found less and less pleasure in alcohol and have been exploring no alcoholic beers which are good. Wine is less successful but recently bought Botivo which is a bittersweet aperitif that you mixed with sparkling water. I still maybe2/3 drinks over a weekend but sometimes none. I feel so much better. It’s a poison after all.

1000StrawberryLollies · 01/04/2026 07:35

Only sometimes. And it doesn't seem to be related to what specific drink is.

Moveyourbleedingarse · 01/04/2026 07:14

system2319 · 31/03/2026 23:07

@Tulipvase I'm the same, I go really red in the face after going inside somewhere that's warm after been outside in the cold.
I had people comment to me when waiting for a hospital appointment (not related to this), saying I was rather red, everyone turned to look at me. I just said out loudly that I can't control it - the lady who was checking in patients shouted over that the same thing happens to her too.

Oh yes me too.

I find I'm OK in the part of the year when I'm taking two anti histamines a day for allergies, so definitely allergic reaction. Sulphites

Original poster
Mightneedencouraged · 01/04/2026 07:06

Morriba · 01/04/2026 00:11

Surely you shouldn't take antihistamines if you're on the booze?

Why??

OP posts:
Morriba · 01/04/2026 00:11

Surely you shouldn't take antihistamines if you're on the booze?

HearMeSnore · 01/04/2026 00:08

I don’t suffer from this but my DH does. Any alcohol - even just half a lager - has him bright red in the face and neck.

He calls it a bar tan.

Tulipvase · 31/03/2026 23:33

system2319 · 31/03/2026 23:07

@Tulipvase I'm the same, I go really red in the face after going inside somewhere that's warm after been outside in the cold.
I had people comment to me when waiting for a hospital appointment (not related to this), saying I was rather red, everyone turned to look at me. I just said out loudly that I can't control it - the lady who was checking in patients shouted over that the same thing happens to her too.

Yes mine was particularly noticeable on a school residential trip.

I know it shouldn’t be embarrassing but i do feel self conscious about it. Slightly uncomfortable too.

ClashStan · 31/03/2026 23:31

I'm Chinese and it's happened to me all my life. I used to get teased all the time about it. I'm middle-aged now and it will be karma if those people start experiencing it too!

Chetchy · 31/03/2026 23:17

justasking111 · 31/03/2026 23:03

My friend is the same.

Show quote history

I was the same as were many friends for years.
I am fine now thank goodness.
The anti histamine pre alcohol helps, as does add a little bit of the green tint cream foundation to your normal foundation to level out your colouring.
It was definitely hormonal for me.

Cannaebebothered · 31/03/2026 23:14

Mightneedencouraged · 31/03/2026 22:32

I've just taken an antihistamine will report back

According to AI it is acetaldehyde buildup.

Buffysoldersister · 31/03/2026 23:12

You probably have roseacea, it sucks. Buy some wine filter bags from Amazon - they remove sulfites and histamines and might help. Also try a green-based corrector cream or tinted moisturizer.

system2319 · 31/03/2026 23:07

@Tulipvase I'm the same, I go really red in the face after going inside somewhere that's warm after been outside in the cold.
I had people comment to me when waiting for a hospital appointment (not related to this), saying I was rather red, everyone turned to look at me. I just said out loudly that I can't control it - the lady who was checking in patients shouted over that the same thing happens to her too.

justasking111 · 31/03/2026 23:03

SunMootStars · 31/03/2026 22:16

Yes and a bright red neck!! It’s awful! I only drink white wine so was wondering if it’s a wine thing.

My friend is the same.

Petrolitis · 31/03/2026 22:57

You can just show me the alcohol and im scarlet

Original poster
Mightneedencouraged · 31/03/2026 22:32

I've just taken an antihistamine will report back

OP posts:
Littlefish · 31/03/2026 22:28

I used to get a red neck and hot face as soon as I had an alcoholic drink (I’ve given up drinking now). I presumed it was an issue with metabolising the alcohol/an intolerance.

Original poster
Mightneedencouraged · 31/03/2026 22:25

I had a gin and tonic and then a wine so not sure if it's wine or everything

I guess scientific enquiry is needed

OP posts:
BethBynnag86 · 31/03/2026 22:25

Yes to this with red wine! However,I appear to be ok with white,prosecco and lager (though not all in the same glass,obvs)

Madarch · 31/03/2026 22:23

Yup. I've alway thought it's something to do with higher sulfite levels in the wine.

Jubee78 · 31/03/2026 22:22

I get this too, I call it wine face!!

defnotadomesticgoddess · 31/03/2026 22:19

Yes! Mine started with red wine only, then after a while lager, then white wine too. I dont bother now as my skin feels like its burning with all alcohol.

TheKittenswithMittens · 31/03/2026 22:19

Defo.