Why does my face tingle after consuming alcohol?

Some people experience tingling, warmth, or flushing in the face after drinking alcohol. This can happen for a few reasons. One common cause is a reaction to certain ingredients in alcoholic drinks—such as sulfites in wine, histamines in beer, or even additives in mixed drinks. These can cause mild allergic-like symptoms, including tingling, itching, or flushing.

Another possibility is alcohol intolerance, often linked to how your body processes alcohol. For example, some people may lack an enzyme (ALDH2) needed to break down alcohol completely, leading to facial flushing, warmth, and sometimes tingling.

Alcohol also causes blood vessels to widen (called vasodilation), which increases blood flow near the surface of the skin—especially in the face. This change can lead to sensations like tingling or warmth.

If the tingling is mild and goes away quickly, it’s usually not a cause for concern. But if it happens often, gets worse over time, or comes with other symptoms like rash, trouble breathing, or swelling, it’s a good idea to talk to a healthcare provider to rule out an allergic reaction or other underlying issue.