Alcoholic Nose: Can Alcohol Cause Rhinophyma? Signs & Treatment

Though the causes of rhinophyma are unknown, it’s thought to be a severe form of a skin disease called rosacea. An alcoholic nose, also known as a drinker’s nose, is characterized by a red, bumpy, and swollen nose. Any alcoholic drink can make red nose worse, but red wine and port are two of the most problematic. These have more effect on your circulatory system than other alcoholic drinks and are best avoided if you are worried drinkers nose: is alcoholic nose really from drinking about drinker’s nose. Alcohol affects your skin in several ways that contribute to the final result of a swollen, red and misshapen nose.

These conditions are not life-threatening and it is possible to live with them. When most people think of alcoholic nose, they are likely thinking of rhinophyma. As mentioned above, rosacea sufferers usually experience flare-ups of the condition punctuated by periods of remission, where they do not have any symptoms for some time. One study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 3 has shown that women who drink alcohol are more likely to develop rosacea than women who are teetotal. Some people may be more likely to develop rhinophyma than others, including men and fair-skinned people.

Rehab Treatment

Someone who has a bulbous, swollen red nose may suffer from incorrect judgments and assumptions about their character and substance use habits. Many people with rhinophyma achieve excellent results with appropriate treatment. Modern surgical techniques can restore near-normal nasal appearance even in severe cases, while medical management can prevent progression and improve symptoms in earlier stages. Starting treatment early in the course of rosacea can help prevent progression to more severe forms like rhinophyma. Early treatment typically involves topical medications, lifestyle modifications to avoid triggers, sun protection measures, and regular monitoring by a dermatologist. Most medical treatments for rhinophyma are covered by health insurance when deemed medically necessary.

In addition to managing a successful family medical practice, Dr. Hoffman is board certified in addiction medicine by the American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine (AOAAM). Dr. Hoffman has successfully treated hundreds of patients battling addiction. Dr. Hoffman is the Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of AddictionHelp.com and ensures the website’s medical content and messaging quality. Informed by her personal journey to recovery and support of loved ones in sobriety, Jessica’s empathetic and authentic approach resonates deeply with the Addiction Help community. Rhinophyma makes your nose look red, bumpy, and bulbous with a thick, waxy skin texture. It may be encouraging to know that approximately 90 percent of individuals with rosacea reported that limited alcohol intake helped to significantly decrease sudden outbreaks.

Building Confidence and Quality of Life

If you or a loved one are in search of treatment services for alcohol use disorder, help is available. As friends and family members to those with substance use disorders, we can learn about the warning signs of addiction, talk more openly about topics of addiction, and offer support. But a 2015 study from the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine proved that there is no connection between alcohol abuse and rhinophyma or rosacea.

Currently, no single thing has been shown as the direct cause of rhinophyma. All treatment providers we recommend are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) or Care Inspectorate. Tim enjoys writing about addiction and recovery, this topic has personally affected him, fuelling his desire to help others.

Stages of Rhinophyma Development

It is thought that the higher level of male hormones, such as testosterone, may contribute to the overgrowth of tissue. It is unclear whether the rosaceous growth itself is carcinogenic or whether a predisposition for cancer may increase the likelihood of rosacea. However, these treatment methods have not been effective for reducing swelling or the appearance of bumps on the nose from rhinophyma. At Alamo Behavioral Health, we can help you recover from addiction using evidence-based and individualized treatment. Contact us today for more information on how alcohol worsens rosacea and how we can help you recover.

When to Seek Medical Help for Your Red Nose

Psychological support can be an important component of rhinophyma treatment, particularly for people dealing with significant emotional distress related to their appearance. People with rhinophyma often have other manifestations of rosacea, including facial flushing, persistent redness, papules and pustules resembling acne, and eye irritation or dryness. Some individuals may also have seborrheic dermatitis or other inflammatory skin conditions. Contact Zinnia Health today to learn more about our alcohol addiction treatment programs. We offer various services, including alcohol rehab, detox, individual therapy, and group counseling. We also have many resources available to help you through every step of the recovery process.

Don’t wait— reach out today to take the first step toward taking control of your life. Start your recovery journey with peace of mind, knowing your care is covered. Get professional help from an online addiction and mental health counselor from BetterHelp.

• Healthcare providers play a crucial role in educating patients and the public about the true causes of rhinophyma and dispelling myths about its relationship to alcohol use.
• But we do know that drinking can cause more flushing in people with rosacea.
• Sometimes, dilated blood vessels can look like spider veins on your nose as well.
• We maintain strict accuracy standards, sourcing information exclusively from credible sources for our website content.

There are four subsets of rosacea, and rhinophyma is thought to be the most severe of them all. It’s a progressive condition that forms gradually over years and is thought to be the result of an untreated, less severe form of rosacea. There is a range of treatments to choose from, such as long-term recovery plans, inpatient or outpatient treatment, 12-step programs, aftercare, and more. This is a very common skin condition that tends to emerge for weeks or months at a time.

Battling the stigma of alcoholic nose and addiction

• Early intervention for dermatological conditions like rosacea and rhinophyma, as well as for potential alcohol use disorder, can significantly improve outcomes.
• This means that insurance plans sold through the ACA marketplace must cover addiction treatment services, including detoxification, inpatient and outpatient treatment, and aftercare programs.
• People who drink heavily are more likely to aggravate and worsen the symptoms of both rhinophyma and rosacea, although alcohol is not known to specifically cause these conditions.
• That being said, there may be some slight truth to the idea that drinking alcohol can contribute to the development of rhinophyma.

Whilst there is no direct correlation between alcohol use and rhinophyma, drinking alcohol exacerbates these symptoms. Alcohol causes flushing and redness, which can easily aggravate skin conditions such as rhinophyma. With that being said, if you have either of these skin conditions, your symptoms may be worsened if you consume alcohol. Rhinophyma is a skin disorder mainly caused by enlarged blood vessels bursting under the skin’s surface. Symptoms of rhinophyma include inflammation, red bumps forming on the nose, and an overall more bulbous nose.

Patients should aim to find cosmetics that are sensitive to the skin, as general cosmetics may dry out the skin and irritate the rosacea. The later complications are characterised by the development of chronic lymphedema (localised swelling) and Rhinophyma. Research has shown that vascular changes, such as flushing, are the first changes that signify rosacea. Around 40% of East Asians suffer from flushing due to alcohol, as they do not possess the correct metabolic enzyme (aldehyde dehydrase) to metabolise the alcohol. We have plenty of reasons on alcohol intolerances, allergies and what to do next.