How does alcohol affect your skin? Long and short-term effects

Alcoholism is a colloquial term, and it really isn’t a politically correct way to refer to an alcohol addiction. White Americans were the most likely to be heavy drinkers among racial and ethnic groups, with about 7.3% reporting heavy drinking, up from about 5.7% in 2018 and 7.1% in 2020. The number of Americans who also reported heavy drinking increased to nearly 6.3% in 2022, up from 6.13% in 2020 and 5.1% in 2018. The exact causes of alcohol-related neuropathy aren’t fully understood. However, researchers have found that consuming too much alcohol for long periods of time can damage the peripheral nerves.

• Your healthcare provider may also test you for individual nutrient deficiencies.
• In mild alcoholic hepatitis, liver damage occurs slowly over the course of many years.
• As someone who is also in recovery, I wanted to provide hope, share lived experience, and support others on their journey.
• Drinking alcohol can also worsen the condition, which could be because alcohol weakens the immune system.

Changes in Skin Texture

When blood vessels are dilated, you’re more likely to experience a bruise after bumping into something. This effect may explain why you’re waking up with bruises after drinking. Finally, one potentially serious cause of alcohol and bruising is alcohol liver disease.

• According to a 2021 study, the cerebellum is one of the most vulnerable areas that alcohol can directly affect, leading to difficulty in maintaining balance.
• Those who maintain that they can hold their liquor, meaning that they can drink larger amounts with fewer apparent effects, may drink in excess to feel intoxicated.
• A life away from drugs and alcohol seemed impossible for someone like me.
• Someone with decompensated cirrhosis may develop ascites (or fluid in the abdomen), gastrointestinal bleeding, and hepatic encephalopathy, in which the brain is affected.
• Additionally, alcohol can damage the nerves in the inner ear, affecting balance.

Causes of alcoholic neuropathy

Abstaining from alcohol can help restore your nutritional health, improve your symptoms, and prevent further nerve damage. Rarely, severe pain after drinking alcohol is a sign of a more serious disorder, such as Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Alcohol intolerance can cause immediate, uncomfortable reactions after you drink alcohol.

Why You Bruise More Easily When You Drink Alcohol

If damage persists, alcoholic cirrhosis can develop, which can’t be reversed. In fact, it’s estimated that up to 90 percent of people who drink heavily have some form of this condition. First, alcoholics are more likely to fall and injure themselves, which can cause bruising.

Most health insurance plans cover at least part of addiction can alcohol cause bruising treatment costs. We can help you check your insurance coverage and work out costs you might need to pay out of pocket. Alcohol impairs your cerebellum, the part of your brain that’s responsible for coordinating your movements, Swartzwelder says. Plus, you’re more susceptible to an accidental fall or bump after you’ve been drinking, anyway. I have been doing the sessions for the last few weeks and it has been a life changer experience. They will educate you on ABC Medication, breathing technique and nutrition.

low blood platelets but other results normal

As the condition progresses, the pain may vary in intensity, sometimes diminishing for months before worsening again. This is thanks to the same enlarged blood vessels that cause facial redness. Alcohol also affects your sleep, resulting in dark circles, puffy eyes, and worsened hangover symptoms.

Large Quantities Of Alcohol Consumption

• Treatment also consists of evaluation for other risk factors that can damage the liver or put the liver at higher risk, such as infection with hepatitis C and metabolic syndrome.
• A more serious side effect of heavy drinking is a yellowish tint in the whites of your eyes.
• If you feel that you sometimes drink too much alcohol, or your drinking is causing problems, or if your family is concerned about your drinking, talk with your health care provider.
• Alcohol-related neuropathy is a condition caused by consuming large amounts of alcohol over a long period.

Alcohol consumption is one of the leading causes of liver damage. When liver damage has happened due to alcohol, it’s called alcohol-related liver disease. Stopping alcohol abruptly after long-term heavy drinking can also lead to alcohol withdrawal syndrome, which commonly manifests as symptoms like nausea and vomiting. Drinking too much alcohol may lead to a tingling sensation or numbness in your legs, feet, or hands, known as alcoholic neuropathy. This is one of the most common side effects of long-term alcohol consumption. Additionally, heavy drinkers usually get most of their calories from alcohol.

What are the early signs of liver damage from alcohol?

In these cases, treatment focuses on preventing further damage and treating other factors that can make the disease worse, such as infection and malnourishment. However, if the person drinks alcohol again heavily, the fatty deposits will reappear. For resources related to AUD, including how to get support, please visit the NIH website. We’ve also partnered with Moderation Management, a non-profit dedicated to reducing the harm caused by the misuse of alcohol.

Bruise FAQs

The best approach to prevent alcohol-induced bruising is to minimize or stop consuming alcohol in large volumes. If bruises persist for a few weeks, it’s best to consult a physician, as this may indicate irreversible damage to the liver. These conditions combined can lead to coagulopathy (bruising and bleeding even with the slightest trauma).