What is commonly called “alcoholic nose” is actually a skin condition called rhinophyma (Greek for “nose growth”). Rhinophyma is in a category of skin conditions known as rosacea, which causes chronic inflammation of the skin. This chronic inflammation is caused by broken blood vessels and sores on or around the nose, causing it to appear red, swollen, and bumpy. It causes the nose to become large, red, and bulbous in appearance. If you notice the symptoms of rhinophyma, taking prescription acne medication early and making lifestyle changes that help with rosacea can be beneficial for managing the condition. Rhinophyma is a disfiguring nasal deformity due to the proliferation of sebaceous glands and underlying connective tissue.
What Is An Alcoholic Nose Or Rhinophyma? Symptoms, Causes, Treatment
If rhinophyma continues to not respond to medication treatment, surgery will be needed. In surgery, the nose can be reshaped and certain layers of excess skin can be removed that obstruct airways. Surgery for rhinophyma is quite common and alcoholic nose is seen as one of the better avenues for improving a patient’s quality of life. However, alcohol addiction can cause a person to neglect their health, which can mean side effects on any pre-existing health conditions, including rosacea.
What Is Drinker’s Nose?
Experts theorize that androgenic hormones found in males may trigger rhinophyma. While rhinophyma is often dubbed “alcoholic nose,” the reality is that it’s a type of rosacea — meaning that heavy drinking isn’t actually linked to it. Your doctor will treat early rhinophyma with oral medications, such as antibiotics or isotretinoin. If these medications don’t work, a plastic surgeon can use different surgery techniques to change the shape of your nose and improve your breathing.
- A multi-specialty method to include dermatologists, plastic surgeons, ENT surgeons, and specialty trained nurses is necessary for successful management of these patients.
- Some people with rosacea develop rhinophyma, but people without rosacea can have this disorder, too.
- According to the National Rosacea Society (NRS), more than 16 million Americans are affected by rosacea.
- Earlier stages of rosacea can be confused with acne and other skin conditions.
- Some races, such as Asians, lack certain enzymes to process alcohol, leading them to have a flushed face upon consuming alcohol.
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Nevertheless, the idea of red-faced characters that you might expect to find in a Disney® movie’s tavern have also crossed over in a way to the real world. Now, some individuals who suffer from the so-called “alcoholic nose,” or rhinophyma, as it is medically known, may experience some stigma that prevents them from seeking necessary medical treatment. Early medical treatment along with surgical procedures can reduce symptoms and prevent permanent disfigurement.
There were also significant association with erythema and telangiectasia, diabetes, and family history of rhinophyma. Some doctors may opt for dermabrasion and cryosurgery along with lasers and electrical currents. Contact your doctor right away if you have any signs of infection or other concerns about how your skin is healing.
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- “The authors proposed that this connection between alcohol intake and rhinophyma may be because alcohol is such a strong inducer of flushing and vasodilation,” Dr. Baldwin said.
- But we do know that drinking can cause more flushing in people with rosacea.
- Below are some of the most common physical indications that you or a loved one may have alcoholic nose.
- Because drinking alcohol has been found to make rosacea worse in some people, it may also contribute to worsening the symptoms of rhinophyma.
- Out of these options, carbon dioxide laser surgery is considered the preferred option because it allows for the most precise removal of excess tissue.
Why Alcohol Abuse Gets The Blame For Rhinophyma
Management and Treatment
- Post-operative erythema was reported in one study and reported to last 6–9 weeks, otherwise no post-operative erythema occurred60 and re-epithelialization was reported to occur between 2 and 6 weeks.
- Similarly, this removes the stereotype that everyone who suffers from rhinophyma is an alcoholic.
- Now, some individuals who suffer from the so-called “alcoholic nose,” or rhinophyma, as it is medically known, may experience some stigma that prevents them from seeking necessary medical treatment.
- Rhinophyma is the skin condition which causes a person’s nose to grow and become bulbous in appearance.