If you are in the habit of relaxing with a glass of white wine frequently and you’re a woman, watch out – your risk of the skin condition, rosacea, may be increased.

This news is from a recent study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology that had evaluated almost 83,000 women enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Study from 1991 to 2005.  During that time every four years, researchers gathered information on alcohol intake over a 14 year period.  Over those years, nearly 5,000 new cases of rosacea occurred. 

Results of the study

The research showed that women who drank white wine an average of one to three drinks a month had a 14 percent increased risk of rosacea compared to women who never drank.  If a woman had consumed five or more glasses white wine per month, her risk of developing rosacea jumped by 49 percent.  It was also noted that if woman drank liquor five or more times a week it raised her risk of rosacea by 28 percent. 

Since the study only included women, it is not known if the same results would apply to men also. 

What is rosacea?

Rosacea is a chronic condition primarily of facial skin that is characterized by flare-ups and remissions.  It typically begins after the age of 30 and is noticed as redness on the checks, nose, chin or forehead that may come and go.  Over time the redness tends to become ruddier and more persistent with visible blood vessels developing.  The condition is more frequently diagnosed in women but men who have rosacea, have more severe symptoms of skin thickening and bumps appearing on the face.

It is not known exactly what causes rosacea but genetics can play a role in its development while individuals with fair skin who tend to flush or blush easily are believed to be at a greater risk.

Treatment for rosacea can include topical creams and ointments along with laser treatment to help reduce the visibility of blood vessels appearing on the face.

What is the connection between white wine and rosacea?

Alcohol has been noted in the past to be a possible trigger for making rosacea flare up in some people.  Researchers of the study were not able to know exactly why white wine and liquor appear to increase the risk of rosacea.  Some speculate that white wine and liquor may weaken the immune system which could contribute to the dilation of blood vessels.

Another theory is there could be different biological reasons why white wine and liquor may increase the development of rosacea but that is not completely understood at this time.  Right now, the results from the study are just an association and not a causation of white wine actually leading to the development of rosacea. 

It is important to keep in mind there are other possible triggers of rosacea flare ups besides white wine.  These would include sunlight, caffeine, or hot and spicy foods.