Can alcohol change the body aroma of an alcoholic?
Does the alcoholic have problems with constantly scratching themselves? (all over including private areas)
Can alcohol cause infections?
Does the alcoholic have frequent and severe headaches? Even inside home.
Yes. Yes. Indirectly, yes. And yes!
The liver breaks alcohol (ETOH) down into acetaldehyde & about 10% is expelled in the breath and urine. An accumulation of acetaldehyde (as would happen with a heavy drinker) can give off a distinctive fruity/chemical smell....that can also turn fruity/sour over time.
Itchiness can be caused by many things - but in an alcoholic it is often due to cirrhosis or fatty liver and bile deposits under the skin. Itchiness can also be a sign of kidney problems, which are also common in alcoholics.
Itchiness, especially "down there" could also be a sign of a yeast infection or an STD.
Alcohol cannot "cause" infections - although it can severely damage the liver. But nutrition becomes a real problem for alcoholics and poor nutrition = a weak immune system. Alcohol also suppresses white blood cell production, reducing the number of WBCs in the blood, thus making it harder to fight infection.
Frequent and severe headaches - could be caused by a reaction directly to the alcohol being consumed (some people have this reaction, esp. cluster headaches), or could be a hangover from previous alcohol consumed - acetaldehyde can cause it, hypoglycemia (a common result of alcohol intoxication) can cause it, dehydration can cause it.
Welcome to SR!
Peace-
B