The asian flush... does anybody else have this (or know anything)?

Question

The asian flush is typical among.. asians obviously.. and what happens to me is that my face gets really red and i get really really hot. Also my heart rate is really fast and I can feel my pulse throughout my entire body. It basically feels like I just ran a few miles. It doesn't matter what kind of alcohol it is, and it only takes one drink for me to get all red. IT IS SO ANNOYING!!! So i was wondering if anybody could relate.. had any solutions or advice.. or if anybody else's symptoms are as bad as mine are.. Thanks!

Answer 1

That happened to my uncle (asian) so he stopped drinking. It was kind of like an allergic reaction.  

Answer 2

im not asian but when i drink too much my face turns like a rash very embassing this inly started happening to me recently

Answer 3

I can definitely relate with you on that. I get that all the time and my symptoms are probably as bad as yours. I find that I just get red, but I'm not drunk, but I will get more drunk if I continue drinking, and usually the redness doesn't stop until I stop drinking. I agree with you on that too, it is not only annoying but its embarrassing. Especially at parties or on a night out with friends, and you have a drink and there it goes again, the whole Asian flush, and people start looking at you because I think most people associate getting red with getting drunk. I haven't found a solution yet, but still trying to find one. I usually just drink low alcohol drinks because I find that I don't get as red as when if I drink a spirit or something with a high alcohol content. My fiancee gets this as well, so I kind of feel less embarrassed when I'm out. Try drinking low alcohol drinks or eating something before, or even if you can, alternate with a bottle of water in between. But if you find a solution, let me know :-)

Answer 4

I'm not Asian, but I looked it up in Wikipedia. Here's what it said about mitigating the effects. It's worth a try...:

Much anecdotal evidence suggests that ingestions of low doses of heartburn medicine containing ranitidine or famotidine (such as Zantac or Pepcid AC) may be able to relieve the body of the symptoms if taken an hour before drinking.[citation needed]

It is not known why ranitidine and famotidine may in some cases, but not all, help reduce the symptoms of the alcohol flush reaction. Alcohol causes an irritation of the lining of the stomach.

Answer 5

I have seen that in my asian friends and fat non asian friends.

I have also experienced it myself when i drink fast. My cheeks and ears turn red, feel hot.

The only solution I have heard of is to build a tolerance or take some ibuprofen.

It seems that my asian friends experience negative effects to drugs(alcohol/marijuana) more so than others.

Just pace yourself and try out an anti-inflammatory.

Answer 6

Yeah I get it when I drink.  Most asians are missing an enzyme that helps break down alcohol.  Just pop some zantac 30 minutes before drinking.