Alcohol Addiction And Its Link To Various Skin Disorders

The effects of alcohol on the skin can be direct or indirect.

Indirect Skin Changes

Alcohol addiction can damage of the various organs in the body. An example of this is the systematic and superficial skin infections such as fungal and bacterial infections common among serious drinkers.

Hepatic dysfunction or liver damage leads to imbalance bile salt and estrogen metabolism, leading to skin disorders such as spider angiomata, palmar erythema, and pruritis.

Malabsorption of nutrients triggers skin problems such as Angular stomatitis, pellagra, petechia, glossitis, perifollicular hemorrhages, and ecchymosis.

Direct Skin Changes

One direct effect of alcohol is a metabolic disorder called Porphyria Cutanea Tarda (PCT). Prolonged alcohol drinking can lead to skin problems, including skin blistering and erosions when the person is exposed to directly to the sun.

Skin Disorders Associated With Alcohol Abuse:

Rosacea

Rosacea, one side effect of alcohol, results from the damage of the vasomotor center of the brain, triggering peripheral vasodilatation. Alcoholics usually have significant flushing and redness.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis, a serious autoimmune system disease and skin condition, is more common among alcoholics than those who do not drink at all. This skin disorder can even make the condition worse.

Symptoms of this disorder include swollen and stiff joints; thickened/ridged nails; dry, cracked patches; and itchy, scaly skin. Many studies have found that men are more prone to developing psoriasis, especially when they have alcohol addiction.

Heavy drinkers who have psoriasis appeared to have the problem on their hands and fingers. They are also more resistant to treatments.

Skin Infections

Due to impaired immune system, people with alcohol addiction tend to develop skin infections. Bacterial infections including Group A and G streptococcus, Corynebacteria and Staphylococcus aureus can spread to the blood called septicaemia.

Fungal infections

Alcoholics tend to have fungal infections such as onychomycosis, pityriasis versicolor and tinea infection.

Urticaria

Also called hives, is the allergic reaction of someone with an alcohol. It usually appears some minutes after drinking an alcohol. Cholinergic urticarial, a type of this disorder induce overheating and flushing of the skin abruptly after drinking.

Alcohol Sensitivity

Alcohol addiction may also develop other allergies that are characterized with shortness of breath, diarrhea, low blood pressure, and low heart rate (anaphylaxis).

Studies have found that the allergy is caused by the person's inherited defects in alcohol metabolizing enzymes. Some people are allergy to other additives such as coloring agents, flavoring or preservatives.