Is rosacea linked to alcohol consumption?

A study conducted by Wen-Qing LI aimed to determine whether the link between alcohol consumption and rosacea is indeed real. 82,737 women were included in the study, and information on alcohol consumption and history of diagnosed rosacea was collected. The researchers found that alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of rosacea depending on the dose. More specifically, an increased consumption of white wine or liquor was significantly associated with a high risk of rosacea.

Alcohol can trigger the release of catecholamines induced by bradykinin, leading to facial vasodilation . Vasodilation and the subsequent increase in temperature are mechanisms responsible for telangiectasias and vasomotor flushes, characteristic symptoms of rosacea . It has also been demonstrated that alcohol consumption increases the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines , which can heighten the risks of inflammation. Furthermore, alcohol can induce cellular cycle activators, which could contribute to the hyperproliferation of the epidermis in rosacea.

However, limited research has been conducted on the subject and biases may be present (influence of external factors, small sample sizes...). The association between alcohol and rosacea is therefore unclear and quite controversial. For instance, in a study on patients who sought treatment for rosacea, Andrew JOHNSON and his team did not observe a significant relationship between alcohol consumption and rosacea (p < 0.05).

However, we hypothesise, based on research, that alcohol consumption may trigger flare-ups in individuals suffering from rosacea. However, it is not the direct cause of the disease's onset. Moreover, this notion generally stems from a myth about excessive alcohol consumption. Indeed, the rhinophyma, a form of rosacea characterised by deformation and growth of the nose, as well as reddening of the nasal skin, has always been considered, without tangible evidence, as a sign of alcoholism.

Regardless, it is important to know that individuals who never consume alcohol can still develop rosacea, and having rosacea does not mean that the person is an alcoholic.