Inspired by some recent threads about introducing kids to alcohol prior to sending them off to college (there are other threads to debate this, not the intention here) my wife and I let our D17 try some wine and beer the other day. She happens to be adopted from China, and within minutes her face turned bright red, and she said she had a pain in the back of her neck. We had always heard that some Asians reacted poorly to alcohol consumption, but never really looked into it. Apparently it’s a real thing. 
I was wondering others’ experiences (it’s not only and Asian thing) with this type of reaction, and how you or your DC deals with it. I have read that it can be a marker for other potential issues including various cancers.
(I’m a class of 2016 graduate, not a parent). My high school was about 1/3 Asian and a lot of students complained/joked about “Asian Glow.” However, what you are describing sounds much more intense. From my understanding, it’s only something some people get after they have been drinking quite a bit and are fairly drunk.
I had a Korean boss years ago and invited him to dinner. My husband served him a glass of wine and this happened almost immediately and he seemed to have a further allergic reaction. It was scary. He was a psychiatrist did ask for a benadryl which helped.
In HI, we have more Asians than anything else. Have not heard of the pain in the back of the neck before, but the bright red face when consuming alcohol IS quite common, even with the very first drink. It has nothing to do with how sober or intoxicated the person is, just how sensitive the body is blushing from alcohol. I have no idea what the pain is, but it may be worth consulting an MD.
@2muchquan maybe the pain in the neck was a gag reflex to stop a vomit attack?
@RightCoaster Ha! She didn’t have that much. I’m not sure how much of it may have been in her head, either. Maybe she overstated her pain reaction, but the blush was real. She usually ‘is’ the pain in the neck.
The gene responsible for the alcohol flush is well known. If you sign up for one of those genetic testing services like 23&me they will tell you whether you carry the gene.
She might be allergic to the sulfites in the wine. I’ve seen that reaction in people who are.
The “Asian Glow” is very well known and very common among Asians. It’s often a reason why some Asian women do not drink much alcohol. I get a red face after one or two beers but my sister does not. The ‘pain in the neck’ is not something I’ve heard or experienced. As for the glow - it is what it is.
It has also been linked to increased alcohol-related esophageal cancer risk in Asian subjects:
My Filipino friend suffers the effect after just one glass of wine. She finds it more embarrassing than uncomfortable and rarely drinks alcohol. Her only symptom is the flush, however. She’s never mentioned any related issues.
My spouse is very not Asian (red headed white boy) and he gets the flush really bad with wine. Occasionally with beer but always with wine. No neck pain though.
IANAMD, but I have friends who are quite allergic to the sulfites commonly found in most wine. It could be worth looking into that as a possible cause for her reaction as well.
Yes, I am allergic to sulfites but haven’t noticed any particular issues with drinking alcohol, on the rare occasions I have some sips of a glass.
D1 went to college with a high percentage of Asians. Commonly they had the red flush, feeling ill reaction. They just did not drink.
I believe it has an evolutionary benefit! I’d suggest reading Survival of the Sickest
^^^ I actually heard of a study that people with Asian glow are less likely to become alcoholics, so there is a benefit. What most people would consider a moderate amount of alcohol will hit you harder and frequently make you nauseated, hence less desire to get drunk. OP probably doesn’t need to worry too much about her D becoming a frequent binge drinker in college.
My sister was allergic to beer when she went off to college. She said she overcame it by drinking a lot of beer. I can attest to the fact she is no longer allergic to anything alcoholic. I am Asian, and I can say no one could ever tell if I had any alcohol.
My S is Asian and has no ill effects from drinking.
I’m not Asian, but I often turn red or should I say “more red” after a beer or glass of wine. I think I have rosacea.
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/news/20040218/link-between-rosacea-alcohol