Brief Answer:
Possible causes explained and recommendations

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thank you for asking at healthcaremagic.

I carefully read your question and understand your concern.

Alcohol in itself if it is used for a long time can cause redness of face and this might be the reason your boyfriend has the XXXXXXX red color. There is some more information that might be helpful related to this.
Does he have swelling of the legs also? If it is swelling that affects only face and arms (not the legs) than he might need urgent medical attention to rule out superior vena cava syndrome that is a blockage of the vein that brings back the blood from the face and arms to the heart. If this is the cause that is suspected by the Emergency Department doctor than more specific tests to confirm it and find it's cause will be ordered.

If he also has swelling of legs it is not that urgent but still he needs medical check to see his liver function and other organ functions. Both smoking and alcohol can affect the heart and alcohol can affect the liver also so some tests will be needed like: liver tests (ALT, AST, albumie in blood, Bilirubine, abdominal ultrasound), CBC, coagulating time, heart examination (ECG, heart ultrasound). It would also be good to consider a check for his lipids and sugar levels in blood.

The doctor he needs to see first is his family doctor that will do a thorough visit and determine the needed examinations he needs. Than if he thinks he needs to send him to a specialist he will recommend you the specialist he needs according to the findings.

I hope this is helpful and answers to your questions but please feel free to reply in case anymore clarification is needed on this.

Kind regards,

Antoneta Zotaj, MD

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