Alcoholic Nose: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Pamela was successfully treated first with Ultherapy and a debulking procedure, along with a CO2 resurfacing with laser surgery. Her long-term treatment plan then included a prescription for Accutane. In rare instances, a doctor may perform a biopsy to test the rhinophyma, but this is typically only done in cases of rhinophyma that have not responded to treatments. It’s important to note that we do not gain financially or in any other form from referrals to different treatment centers.

What Is the Life Expectancy With Cirrhosis?

Our alcohol treatment programs incorporate evidence-based therapies, individual and group counseling, relapse prevention planning, and holistic wellness practices. We are committed to helping individuals achieve lasting recovery and build a healthy, fulfilling life. 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.

Prescription Medications

• We are dedicated to transforming the despair of addiction into a purposeful life of confidence, self-respect and happiness.
• While alcohol itself may not directly cause nosebleeds, chronic alcohol abuse can contribute to various health issues, including liver damage and impaired blood clotting.
• What is commonly called “alcoholic nose” is actually a skin condition called rhinophyma (Greek for “nose growth”).
• Over the years, several quirky and interesting terms for alcoholics’ noses took off and became popular to refer to people with larger or purplish-red noses.
• And while it can happen to both drinkers and non-drinkers, it is more likely to occur in people who consume alcohol regularly.
• Learn more about drinker’s nose and if drinking alcohol can affect the features of the face.

People who have rosacea may not develop an alcoholic nose until years later. There are many different surgical options that use plastic surgery techniques. During a rhinophyma surgery, the physician will remove the extra skin that builds up on the nose and reduce skin growths to help the nose return to its normal shape, size and appearance. Drinking can increase the effects of existing rosacea and may increase the risk of this condition developing. However, many people who use alcohol heavily do not develop rosacea, and rosacea does often occur in people who do not drink alcohol or only use it in moderation.

Why Have People Associated Rhinophyma With Alcohol Abuse?

This can lead to further mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, as well as an overall loss of pleasure in life. This is because alcohol is what is known as a vasodilator, which means it causes blood vessels to expand and blood to flow to the surface of the skin. This is especially true and noticeable for the skin on a person’s face. Surgical and drug-based treatments can help, but limited research suggests that the condition may recur after surgery. Keep reading to learn more about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of rhinophyma.

You may also be prescribed moisturizers or medications to keep skin moisturized and prevent oil buildup. Contact our admissions team today to learn more about our alcohol detox in Tampa, Florida, and residential programs. Ocean Recovery has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations for our references.

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 alcoholic nose to manage the thickened skin. Research suggests that the five-year survival rate in the United States is 73%—meaning that 73 out of 100 people will live for at least five years.

Can Alcohol Worsen the Effects of Rhinophyma?

• It is like having an allergic reaction to peanuts and eating a spoonful of peanut butter.
• There are four subsets of rosacea, and rhinophyma is thought to be the most severe of them all.
• You can learn more about how we source our references by reading our editorial policy.
• The MELD score is typically used to prioritize who gets a liver transplant but can also be useful in determining survival in people with alcoholic hepatitis.
• Treatment for alcoholic nose typically starts with a trip to the doctor.

• Dive into the science behind Xanax addiction and find out what makes this medication so prone to misuse and dependency.
• Surgical therapy, along with topical treatments, are incredibly effective for helping return the nose to its original shape without harming the bone and cartilage structures.
• In people who already have rosacea and rhinophyma, this can mean an increase in inflammation, flushing, and the further progression of these conditions.
• Alcoholic hepatitis is characterized by the rapid onset of hepatitis symptoms, otherwise known as acute hepatitis.