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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
SlowSloths · 31/03/2026 22:15

I've always been like this, I get very flushed after just a small glass of wine 😳

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.

SnappyOchre · 31/03/2026 22:16

This happens to me. Though it never occurred to me it could be considered embarrassing.

InOverMyHead84 · 31/03/2026 22:17

Wine? Sulphites maybe?

It's an allergic reaction.

Tulipvase · 31/03/2026 22:18

My neck goes red. And also after being outside for any length of time in cold weather and then coming inside. Horrific redness/burning.

Bimblebombles · 31/03/2026 22:18

I think its to do with histamines and intolerance to histamines forming around perimenopause time. I get flushed if I eat certain things these days, so annoying

TheKittenswithMittens · 31/03/2026 22:19

Defo.

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.

Jubee78 · 31/03/2026 22:22

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

Madarch · 31/03/2026 22:23

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

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)

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

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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.

Mightneedencouraged · 31/03/2026 22:32

I've just taken an antihistamine will report back

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Petrolitis · 31/03/2026 22:57

You can just show me the alcohol and im scarlet

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.

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.

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.

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.

Chetchy · 31/03/2026 23:17

justasking111 · 31/03/2026 23:03

My friend is the same.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Morriba · 01/04/2026 00:11

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

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??

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