However, rhinophyma has not been shown to be connected to alcohol use, and calling rhinophyma an “alcoholic nose” is not medically correct. That being said, there may be some slight truth to the idea that drinking alcohol can contribute to the development of rhinophyma. Because drinking alcohol has been found to make rosacea worse in some people, it may also contribute to worsening the symptoms of rhinophyma.
It can be difficult for people with rhinophyma to go out in public due to the judgment they receive from others based on the appearance of their nose. While alcohol is not the cause of rhinophyma or rosacea, alcohol can have an impact on both. When a person has a pre-existing issue with rosacea or rhinophyma, it can irritate the disorder and worsen symptoms. If these symptoms are present, a doctor may suggest antibiotics, or another form of treatment to try to alleviate the irritation on the skin. Left untreated rhinophyma can cause excessive scar tissue to form, and surgery may be necessary.
More Common Questions About Alcoholic Nose
With progression, the aesthetic subunits of the nose merge and become obliterated. While the underlying frameworks are usually unaffected, patients often suffer from secondary nasal airway obstruction at the external alcoholic nose nasal valves. An alcohol nose is a condition caused when alcohol is broken down in the body, producing an unpleasant smell. One sign of an alcohol nose is an unpleasant odor from the nose that smells like alcohol.
- This typically results in the eyes becoming swollen and red in appearance.
- Drinking alcohol can wreak havoc on the vascular system as the brain fails to regulate its functions.
- Rhinophyma — also sometimes referred to as “alcoholic nose” — is a physical condition that many people assume is caused by alcohol use disorder (alcoholism).
- Chronic rhinosinusitis can lead to a range of symptoms, including congestion, facial pain and pressure, and reduced sense of smell.
Rhinophyma involves an increase in sebaceous, or oil, glands and underlying connective tissues in the face. According to 2021 research, the exact cause is still unclear, and several factors may play a role. These include a combination of conditions that affect the immune system, nerves, and blood vessels. In the early stages, treatments involves medications, but in the advanced stages, it involves surgery. The procedure smoothes or removes rough, thickened areas of skin and is safe and effective. Alcohol does not cause rhinophyma, but it can aggravate a rosacea flare-up.
Alcoholic Nose: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Controlled cautery or electrocautery can be used to remove excess tissue and reshape the nose. Antibiotics, such as tetracycline or doxycycline, may be prescribed to manage inflammation and control the progression of the condition. Surgical treatment for rhinophyma is usually successful and a relatively quick solution to the problem.
