What Is Alcoholic Nose Or Drinker’s Nose? Rhinophyma

While the previous belief was that rhinophyma was the result of alcohol consumption, there is no factual link between alcohol and rhinophyma. However, drinking alcohol and consuming caffeine can dilate blood vessels, which can aggravate existing rhinophyma. For many years, it was assumed that rhinophyma (a misshapen, red, bulbous nose skin condition) was the result of alcoholism.

• This is because a lot of blood rushes into the area and swells as different bumps begin to grow.
• We specialize in dual diagnosis treatment, meaning we are the best equipped to help individuals who have both substance use disorder and another mental illness.
• There is some evidence that suggests genetic predisposition may play a role in developing rhinophyma.
• Due to this, the idea that alcoholism could cause rhinophyma held up for many years.

Understanding Rosacea

Blood vessels expand and sometimes break, making some heavy drinkers look red and flushed even when sober. Excessive consumption of alcohol may also lead to the development of spider veins on the face. Because for so many years people have assumed a connection between alcoholism and rhinophyma, a stigma has formed around the idea of an alcoholic nose. An alcoholic nose, also known as a drinker’s nose, is characterized by a red, bumpy, and swollen nose.

The Stigma of Rhinophyma or Alcoholic Nose

Rosacea flare-ups can also be caused by the consumption of other substances, such as hot drinks, chocolate, or spicy foods. The symptoms of rhinophyma become worse if they’re left untreated. Inpatient treatment may be necessary if you cannot stop drinking on your own. Medication can also be used to help manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings. While there is no cure for rosacea, treatments are available to keep the symptoms under control. Rhino means nose while phyma means a swelling, nodule, or skin tumor.

What Is Alcoholic Nose or Rhinophyma—Is That More Than a Myth?

Alcoholic nose, or drinker’s nose, is an informal term that refers to an enlarged purple nose that is thought to be caused by chronic alcohol abuse. Learn more about drinker’s nose and if drinking alcohol can affect the features of the face. What is commonly called “alcoholic nose” is actually a skin condition alcoholic big nose 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.

Likewise, not everyone with an alcohol addiction develops rosacea, either. If you’re worried about alcohol consumption leading to drinker’s nose or rhinophyma, you may also show signs of alcohol abuse. According to more recent studies, however, the definitive link between alcohol consumption and rhinophyma has been disproven. Many people who did not drink alcohol regularly or who were not suffering from alcohol use disorder have been diagnosed with the condition. Rhinophyma is the skin condition which causes a person’s nose to grow and become bulbous in appearance. A bulbous nose can be a side effect of the health condition rosacea.

How Rosacea And Alcohol Abuse Lead To Drinker’s Nose

In extreme cases, the nose can become quite disfigured and make breathing difficult. Rosacea can affect anybody but it most often affects middle-aged women with lighter skin tones. Szymańska-Skrzypek, Anna; Burduk, Paweł K.; Betlejewski, Stanisław. “[Rhinophyma–diagnosis and treatment].” Polish Journal of Otolaryngology, 2004. If you or a loved one is living with rhinophyma, please know that you are not alone and that there are actions you can take to feel better and start to heal from this condition. There are numerous cases of individuals who have treated and continued to manage their rhinophyma successfully.

Causes Of Rhinophyma Or Alcoholic Nose

• Wrong assumptions based on similar traits, such as flushed skin after drinking, have led to misinformation about the true causes of the condition.
• For years, it was widely believed that this condition was caused by alcohol use disorder or alcoholism.
• Contrary to the stereotype that rhinophyma is caused by alcohol or alcoholism, rosacea is actually the cause of rhinophyma.
• Individuals with rhinophyma are at risk for skin cancer within the affected tissue.
• If you or a loved one suffers from alcoholism, please get in touch with our alcohol rehab in Orange County immediately.

Other physical effects of addiction are not visible but still dangerous. Excessive drinking can damage and disease the liver, heart, and other parts of the body and contribute to diseases such as diabetes and various types of cancer. Scientists haven’t fully figured out exactly how rhinophyma develops. It seems to involve a mix of problems with how blood vessels and nerves work, along with how the immune system responds naturally in the body. If you or a loved one are experiencing side effects related to alcohol abuse and addiction, help is available.

If you think you may have rhinophyma, it’s important to see a doctor or dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment. Individuals with rhinophyma are at risk for skin cancer within the affected tissue. You may have a reddish color to your skin, spidery red or purple veins across your nose, and a swollen nose that does not improve over time. No, rhinophyma is not reversible once it progresses to its hypertrophic and bulbous stages. At this point, surgical intervention is typically necessary to correct the deformity.

These enlarged blood vessels can give your skin a spidery, bloodshot appearance, and increase flushing around the face and chest. Widened blood vessels mean that more blood can travel just below the skin’s surface, which causes flushing or a reddened appearance. Research has not proven that alcohol abuse is the cause of rhinophyma. Just like spicy foods make people with rhinophyma lare up, increased alcohol intake only makes rhinophyma more apparent. Alcoholic nose is a slang term used to describe the red, swollen nose that is thought by some to accompany chronic alcohol use.