What is Asian flush syndrome?

(also called Asian glow or Oriental flushing reaction)

Some Chinese, Japanese, and Korean people get a bad reaction after drinking.

What is the reaction?

Your face and neck might feel flushed (red, warm feeling). Your heart might beat too fast. You might have headache, dizziness, vomiting, anxiety, and weakness.

Why this happens?

Your body gets rid of alcohol in many steps (read more).

First, your body converts alcohol to acetaldehyde.

Then your body converts acetaldehyde to acetate. Your liver has an enzyme called aldehyde dehydrogenase. This enzyme breaks down acetaldehyde.

Some people have weak aldehyde dehydrogenase enzyme. Their liver cannot break down acetaldehyde. So there is too much acetaldehyde in their system. Acetaldehyde causes bad symptoms.

Who is at risk?

Chinese, Japanese, and Korean people have higher risk for Asian flush syndrome.

That doesn't mean all Chinese, Japanese, and Korean people get Asian flush syndrome. It means they have higher risk than white or black people.

Is it just flushing? Any other issues?

Yes. Acetaldehyde can also cause cancer. People with Asian flush syndrome have higher risk of cancer of mouth, stomach, nose, throat, esophagus, and trachea.

Can I get cancer if I drink once in a while?

You won't get cancer after drinking once or twice. But if you keep drinking for long time (say several years), you have higher risk of cancer.

How about Benadryl or Zantac or Pepcid? Can these help?

These medications help with symptoms. These medications do not cure Asian flush

Making sense of it all

If you have Asian flush syndrome, your body is trying to tell you cannot metabolize alcohol.

You might force yourself to drink. Or you might take medications before drinking.

But everytime you drink, you are loading your body with acetaldehyde. So, if you keep drinking for long time (say several years), you have higher risk of cancer.

Here is an article from University of Southern California about risks of medications for Asian flush syndrome.

Page last updated: 21-September-2019