Rhinophyma — also sometimes referred to as “alcoholic nose” — is a physical condition that many people assume is caused by alcohol use disorder (alcoholism). Alcoholic nose, also known as rhinophyma, is alcoholic nose a condition often misunderstood and misrepresented. While its name suggests a direct link to alcohol consumption, the reality is more nuanced, and many individuals with rhinophyma do not have alcohol use disorder.

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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.

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Rhinophyma is a condition that occurs when rosacea, a chronic skin disorder, spreads to the nose. Rosacea causes visibly red or swollen skin and sometimes bumps or acne-like conditions. If you’re at risk of getting rhinophyma, it’s important to watch for mild symptoms and receive treatment early before the disorder gets worse and you need surgery. If you live in Brooksville, Florida and need professional addiction treatment to help you stop drinking alcohol, Springbrook Behavioral Hospital can help. We are a mental health rehab center that specializes in supporting adults with co-occurring disorders, including alcohol use disorder.

What Is Alcoholic Nose?

By contrast, people with more advanced cases may be prescribed topical ivermectin, oral isotretinoin, or brimonidine. If inflammation is present because of a bacterial infection, then oral antibiotics such as tetracycline may be prescribed to manage the infection. However, multiple methods might be recommended to manage the thickened skin. Currently, no single thing has been shown as the direct cause of rhinophyma.

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While anyone can develop rhinophyma, it’s most commonly reported in white males, especially over age 50. Experts theorize that androgenic hormones found in males may trigger rhinophyma. The worse your Alcoholic’s nose becomes, the more likely you are to develop additional symptoms and complications, and the more severe those complications may become as they develop. You get evidence-based care with a strong focus on mental wellness — including innovative holistic options like experiential therapy, Reiki, and acupuncture to support both mind and body. It’s important to note that not all types of alcohol have the same effect.

What Is Rosacea and How Is it Related to Rhinophyma?

You already have an allergic reaction to the peanuts, but by adding more peanuts, you are adding a bigger reaction and agitating the reaction more, making it worse. While the time frame in which the condition can flare-up is different for everyone, the redness and flushing of rhinophyma can get worse over a period of several months to several years. If you or a loved one are experiencing side effects related to alcohol abuse and addiction, help is available. Later, the nasal skin grows and the tip of the nose becomes larger. It is benign initially, but it may block airways and increase the risk of skin cancer. Scientists haven’t fully figured out exactly how rhinophyma drug addiction develops.

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• Rhino means nose while phyma means a swelling, nodule, or skin tumor.
• The visual side effects are most obvious on the tip and lower part of the nose, since the actual bone structure is not affected by the condition.
• However, drinking alcohol can worsen rhinophyma symptoms in people with existing severe rosacea.

It can be if people have other conditions, such as rosacea or rhinophyma. This is simply a way in which a close friend or loved one may be able to notice a physical change in a person’s skin condition that could indicate alcohol abuse. You cannot and should not assume that somebody is an alcoholic simply because they have rhinophyma. You can only use rhinophyma as a starting place for someone you know well. While there are no severe side effects of alcoholic nose, the main side effect is their physical appearance. Alcoholic nose does not prevent someone from breathing or give them any trouble in their day-to-day life.

Does Alcoholic Red Nose Go Away?

Rhinophyma causes the nose to become even more disfigured due to the progressive dilation of the nasal vessels as well as the involvement of cysts and pustules. Rosacea is not caused by alcoholism, but alcohol abuse can affect rosacea, which may worsen the appearance of a drinker’s nose. When choosing an alcohol addiction treatment center, it’s important to choose one that understands the disease of addiction and the best ways to help promote strong, lasting change. With centers all around Oregon, Serenity Lane makes your physical and mental health our No. 1 priority.