«Alcoholic Nose:» Is Alcohol Really the Cause?

alcoholic big nose

Specially trained staff are available right now to discuss treatment options for you or your loved one. We can help find a detox or treatment program that will help get the services needed on the road to recovery. Even though research is debunking the connection between alcoholism and rhinophyma, there is still a stigma attached to this disorder.

Diagnosis of rhinophyma

  • In mild cases, topical treatments may be sufficient to improve the appearance of the nose.
  • If a person drinks too much alcohol, their nose might become bright red if they suffer from rhinophyma.
  • Once rhinophyma becomes severe, there are visible and obvious changes to the shape, skin and size of the nose.
  • Widened blood vessels caused by heavy drinking allow more blood to travel to right beneath the skin’s surface, which gives the face a more flushed or red appearance.

One of the biggest lifestyle change options that people have for improvement or prevention is to stop consuming alcohol. This can lead to further mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, as well as an overall loss of pleasure in life. The exact cause of rhinophyma is unknown beyond the fact that it is related to rosacea, and for some people who develop it, it can be a mystery as to why. It is most common in older white males above the age of 50, though rosacea can affect people of any age including children.

Is A Big Nose A Sign Of Alcoholism?

The most common side effect of rosacea in people who drink is flushed skin. With time, rosacea can worsen, and for people who drink alcohol heavily, this can mean developing rhinophyma. Because of this, people who drink a lot or increase their alcohol intake over alcoholic big nose time and also have rosacea may experience increased side effects — including alcoholic nose. In the early stages of drinker’s nose, these symptoms will be mild to moderate in form. People who have rosacea may not develop rhinophyma until years later in life.

alcoholic big nose

Impact on Mental Health and Self-Esteem

  • It should not be used to replace the suggestions of your personal physician or other health care professionals.
  • That said, alcohol and caffeine can both temporarily dilate blood vessels, which seems to worsen rhinophyma.
  • Medication is not always enough to control rhinophyma once it has developed.
  • If caught in the early stages, however, symptoms can often be managed with medication and lifestyle changes.

Rhinophyma has historically been referred to as alcoholic nose due to the incorrect belief that alcohol consumption may lead to the condition. That said, alcohol and caffeine can both temporarily dilate blood vessels, which seems to worsen rhinophyma. In any case, using the medical term for alcoholic nose is a helpful way to stop spreading misinformation and decrease the stigma surrounding rosacea. At the end of the day, it is just a skin disorder and should not be used to make assumptions about someone’s drinking habits. If preventative techniques don’t work and you develop this skin condition, surgery is the most common method of treatment.

Let’s talk about your recovery

alcoholic big nose

What Is Alcoholic Nose? Rhinophyma Causes & Symptoms

alcoholic big nose

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