Excessive alcohol (ethanol) intake or alcohol abuse can result in many health problems and is implicated as a cause or aggravating factor for several skin conditions. There are a number of skin disorders associated with abuse of alcohol. Some are not serious, while others can be life threatening.
EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL
Excessive alcohol consumption is known to cause multiple health problems which affect organs such as liver, heart, kidney, blood and bone marrow. It is also responsible for nutritional deficiencies and an overall decrease in immunity. There is growing evidence that many individuals in Anguilla, including many youngsters, abuse alcohol. Sadly, many of them refuse to seek help, and many go on to have several complications, some of which can be life threatening.
ALCOHOL ABUSE AND YOUR SKIN
Many of us are very concerned about our appearances, and the appearance of the skin can have serious short and long term consequences.
Alcohol abuse has a deleterious effect on the skin and is responsible for causing various skin conditions like rosacea, porphyria cutanea tarda, post-adolescent acne, discoid eczema and psoriasis.
Excessive alcohol use can lead to liver damage. This can take many forms.
Alcoholic liver abnormality disturbs the oestrogen and bile salt metabolism with peculiar signs of inflammation and redness on the skin. In male alcoholics, there is an increase in the female hormone called oestrogen and a decrease in the male hormone testosterone. This causes a feminizing effect such as development of breasts, feminine pattern of body and pubic hair and redistribution of body fat. Liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension account for the distinctive skin condition around the belly button called ‘caput medusae’- distended veins.
Alcoholics tend to have an increase in systemic and superficial skin problems with bacterial and fungal infections. This is because of alcohol-induced nutritional deficiency and impaired absorption of zinc and vitamins from the intestines which results in decreased immunity. The deficiencies of zinc, vitamin C and trace elements cause a weakening of mucosal barriers, poor wound healing and a tendency for infections.
Other skin conditions
Other abnormalities of the skin of individuals, who abuse alcohol, include fissuring in the corners of the lips, pinpoint bleeds due to vitamin B deficiency (called pellagra), development of red and purple hemorrhagic spots on the skin and a tendency for bruising easily.
Excessive drinking over a long period of time can increase the risk of skin cancer, including squamous cell cancer, basal cell cancer and melanomas.
Dealing with skin disorders
Many individuals who abuse alcohol and suffer from skin disorders, often fail to seek medical assistance. Many are reluctant to admit that they have a problem with alcohol. It is very difficult to treat these individuals, but, often, decreasing or stop using alcohol is vital to curing the various skin disorders. These individuals should be encouraged to seek professional help.
Conclusion
Many individuals use alcohol. Some do so in a responsible way, but others often abuse it and go on to become addicted to it, and it is this abuse of alcohol that is associated with so many serious complications. Excessive use of alcohol can result in many skin disorders, some of which can be serious. The effects of excessive alcohol on the skin will vary from one individual to another. The consequences will also vary, but decreasing the use of alcohol has been shown to help in dealing with many of these skin disorders.
Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. Dr Brett Hodge is an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor who has over twenty nine years in clinical practice. Dr Hodge has a medical practice in the Johnson Building in The Valley.
