Switching off the asian glow?

May 18, 2008 1:56 PM

Is there any way to prevent or alleviate the "asian glow" when drinking?

When I drink, I get the "asian glow" really badly, even after just a little alcohol. I won't feel much effect but my face will turn deep red, and sometimes it will extend down to my chest as well. This generally discourages me from drinking, which is a good thing, but sometimes I feel out of place when I'm the only one not drinking. I've heard pepcid AC prevents it but I haven't tried it myself. Does anyone know any ways to prevent this?

posted by oranges to Health & Fitness (11 answers total)

Be sure to check out this previous AskMe Thread: How can I keep myself from turning red when drinking?
posted by ericb at 2:24 PM on May 18, 2008

I'm also asian, and can attest to the Pepcid AC strategy mentioned in the link.
posted by yeoja at 2:33 PM on May 18, 2008 [1 favorite]

Like Pandemic Soul's comment in the first thread, different alcohols will do different things, so try to see what makes you blush. I can get amazingly drunk on vodka/gin/soju/sake while looking completely sober (this has worked to my advantage many a time), while a single glass of beer/wine will make me blush incredibly red.
posted by suedehead at 3:06 PM on May 18, 2008

Try taking an antihistamine or Pepcid. More information here.
posted by MadamM at 3:20 PM on May 18, 2008

mr. nax swears by Pepcid AC. Take it before you know you will be drinking.
posted by nax at 3:41 PM on May 18, 2008

Be aware of mixing antihistamines and alcohol. The drowsiness often brought on by use of antihistamines can be magnified by the use of alcohol. Fewer drinks will often get you drunker-feeling with antihistamines on board.

IANAD, but I do have allergies.
posted by heathergirl at 5:24 PM on May 18, 2008

Most people don't really care whether you're drinking alcohol. At least, once they realize that you're OK with it. Have a soda, tell them you're all set, and after a few minutes, even the most hard-core of 'are you sure you don't want a drink?' hosts will have stopped caring.
posted by zippy at 6:21 PM on May 18, 2008

As a teetotaller, one could feel "out of place" for reasons other than a desire to conform. We are social animals given to shared experiences. Sometimes, when everyone zigs, it's just not as much fun to zag.
posted by randomstriker at 6:36 PM on May 18, 2008

See Alcohol Flush Reaction. The redness is due to a genetic mutation/overactive enzyme - there doesn't seem to be any substantial evidence that you can ever rid yourself of "Asian Glow." On the bright side, it seems that those susceptible to Asian Glow might be less prone to alcoholism.

Seems there are some interesting suggestions to try here: Asian Glow Community.
posted by s01110011 at 7:42 PM on May 18, 2008

If I may piggyback on the chance that anyone has any useful info, I'm not asian (just an almost consumptively fair skinned white girl) but I think I get a something similar to this. Sometimes, after my first three sips of a drink, I get flushed cheeks and a hot face and can suddenly feel my heart beating. It's odd and notable, but five sips later it goes away. It doesn't happen every time I drink, doesn't seem to be worse with wine (of which I drink a good bit) or gin or anything else, and it never persists past that first 1/3 to 1/2. I Does this sound like the same thing? Or am I just weird?
posted by mostlymartha at 10:24 PM on May 18, 2008

I'm not Asian but suffer from a similar affliction. My face and chest often get blotchy if I've had a few. On occasion someone might mention it - I usually just shrug and say 'yeah, my skin does that when I drink - so now that you've me feel uncomfortable, the next drinks on you, right?'

I guess I'm saying that you have the option of accepting that it's just another quirky thing about being you. It used to bother me but now I really don't care much.

Either way - cheers!
posted by Dr.James.Orin.Incandenza at 7:37 AM on May 19, 2008