During my visit to the dermatologist last week, the subject of drinking alcohol and it’s affect on seborrheic dermatitis came up. I’ve enjoyed my beer for quite some time, and have occasionally read where alcohol can cause seb derm to flare up or be worse.
I told my doc…”if you can tell me that if I quit drinking, (which I love), my seborrheic dermatitis would get better or go away, I’ll quit today”. His response, “I would probably tell you you’re better off drinking than quitting”.
I was a bit shocked by his response! In fact, he went on to say, “for most skin problems, I’m not aware that alcohol has much, if any affect on it”. He did say that rosacea does seem to have a bad response to alcohol.
So…I was shocked by the response, but I have to say the part of me that loves a cold beer was rejoicing a bit! Now…is my dermatologist accurate in his statement? He’s the doctor…not me. I’d love to hear from other doctors or people that my have more experience with this subject.
Does alcohol make seborrheic dermatitis, (or other skin conditions) worse?
I’ve noticed after a big night of drinking too many beers my SD has a tendency to flare up. This also happens with wine. I think it has something to do with yeast. Whiskey and bourbon has less effect on my SD.
Mine does seem to be worse after drinking a “lot”. I’ve always wondered if there was a “yeast” connection? That coupled with the alcohol helping to dehydrate and dry out the skin.
Chris
It definitely makes mine far worse. After a heavy night its awful.
I think your doctor doesnt have a clue what hes talking about!
Yes. I have found this out through my own experience. I used to take a lot of beer. It worsens SD. Stay away from alcohol. Please consult with an Ayurvedic practitioner.
SD will definitely get worse with regular alcohol consumption on people with fair skin.. I drank at least 2 glasses of wine every evening and had increasing sd. My Chinese dermatologist had mentioned to me during my last visit (about 4 years ago) that the best way to treat SD was good rest (go to bed before 10:30 pm), reduce stress at work/home and quit alcohol…
I stopped completely the drink 1 week ago and it made a huge difference. I had a constant mark on the forehead and cheeks which are gone. the skin feels also a lot smoother too…
For your info, beer would do my SD no good either, actually it was worse with beer due to the yeast !
A large part of the reason why drinking alcohol effects dermatitis, is because it intoxicates and weakens the liver, which is responsible for cleansing toxins from the blood, the body. The liver is the filter for toxins, and if it is weakened and poisoned with alcohol, it will not function properly, and the toxins will then surface on the outside of the body, through the skin. Anything “outside” is a result of what’s happening “inside”. Also, alcohol contains very large amounts of sugar which causes excessive yeast formation in the body and lowers PH levels - Balanced PH is essential for over-all health. Basically, alcohol imbalances the body’s natural cleansing system, depletes oxygen in the brain and blood, intoxicates organs, increases yeasts and encourages the growth of bad bacterias, throws off PH, and so….dermatitis is caused and/or aggravated.
If you want to manage dermatitis, stay away from sugar, refined food, alcohol, caffeine…and be sure to get lots of excercise(movement increases circulation, oxygen, helps the body expel toxins through sweat and breath, and expels stress which is responsible for most of our ailments[and leads us to want that drink!]), and get lots of fresh air, and good sleep.
Take care…the body/mind/spirit is one, and no problem is separate, the whole must be looked after, not just the symptoms.