Many people (including some of my best friends and family members) suffer through what is colloquially referred to as the "Asian glow." Although this term has become racialized to refer to Asians who appear red after a few drinks, it is better defined by understanding the biochemistry behind it.
When ingesting alcohol, also known as ethanol, it is first converted to acetaldehyde via alcohol dehydrogenase. Acetaldehyde is then converted to acetate via aldehyde dehydrogenase. Alcohol is thus converted to acetate by two enzymes mentioned above. For those that do get the "Asian glow," the second enzyme – aldehyde dehydrogenase – is not present. As a result, acetaldehyde is not converted to acetate, and there is an accumulation of acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde is consequently the culprit, causing the release of histamine and the blood vessel dilation that lead to redness.
An over-the-counter drug, Pepcid, is commonly used to combat this facial flush. This is because Pepcid is an antihistamine, disabling histamine to come into play. In a study as early as 1987, antihistamine administration have shown a "significant reduction in the skin flush" compared to placebo control. To date, however, there is not a single study that has directly looked at the effects of Pepcid and alcohol interactions on the human body, and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved the use of Pepcid AC to treat the flush. Perhaps there is an underlying danger that the scientific community has failed to address.
A more recent study in 2009 found that "ALDH2-deficient patients" or those who do get the Asian glow, "have an increased risk for esophageal cancer if they drink moderate amounts of alcohol." Interestingly, "ALDH2 deficiency does not influence esophageal cancer risk in non-drinkers." So isn't it a good thing that your body is glowing red because it is notifying you about the internal, physiological state?
Regardless of the fact that dangers have not been meticulously studied, the combination of Pepcid and alcohol remains dangerous because of the exact reason people take Pepcid in the first place. By inhibiting the glowing, it is more difficult to notice the physiological cue and pace drinks, leading to overconsumption. Pepcid may temporarily help with how you may appear to others, but it does not change the fact that alcohol is a carcinogen. Without a peer-reviewed study on the interaction between Pepcid and alcohol, I would be skeptical to mix the two. Using green-tinted moisturizers (often used to cover the redness for acne) may be a better alternative for the time being. I wouldn't risk my health or my life to appear less red at a party or a few.
