Alcoholic Nose: Can Alcohol Cause Rhinophyma? Signs & Treatment

We recognize the profound significance of residential treatment in the journey toward long-term sobriety and overall well-being. Reach out to learn more about the various aspects of our residential treatment program and understand the importance of this modality in promoting lasting recovery and a brighter future. While alcohol is a trigger for rosacea, there are other triggers to be aware of.

What Is Alcoholic Nose?

Current research indicates that people with rhinophyma often have a genetic predisposition to or family history of rosacea, especially if treatments for their rosacea prove ineffective. In the early stages of drinker’s nose, these symptoms will be mild to moderate in form. People who have alcoholic nose rosacea may not develop rhinophyma until years later in life. At Recovery Guide, our mission is to connect as many individuals struggling with mental health and substance abuse disorders to reputable treatment facilities. If you develop rhinophyma, your nose may appear red, large, and even bumpy or bulbous.

• In reality, rhinophyma is actually a subtype of rosacea, which is a chronic skin condition that may be exacerbated by alcohol.
• The condition most people are referring to when they use those terms is rhinophyma, a severe form of rosacea that causes the nose to become enlarged, red, and thickened with time.
• It is classified as a subtype of rosacea, a chronic inflammatory skin condition primarily affecting the face, characterized by redness, visible blood vessels, and sometimes acne-like bumps.
• Regardless of the cause, a persistent purple nose alcohol discoloration warrants immediate medical evaluation to rule out serious underlying health conditions.

Does alcohol affect skin health?

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. You can reach out at any time to verify your insurance coverage, schedule an intake appointment, or simply have your concerns addressed.

• Blood vessels gradually dilate, skin texture changes from smooth to bumpy, and tissue overgrowth creates deep grooves and weird nodular formations.
• Despite its misleading nickname, “alcoholic nose” – medically known as rhinophyma – isn’t necessarily caused by alcohol consumption.
• Alcoholic’s nose, or rhinophyma, is a condition that causes the nose or other facial features to become swollen, enlarged, red, or misshapen, changing the appearance of the nose.

Serenity Lane Provides Compassionate Addiction Treatment for Alcohol in the Pacific Northwest

These changes are due to the hyperplasia (overgrowth) of sebaceous glands and connective https://manandvan.theorbit.one/understanding-alcohol-drinking-patterns-national-2/ tissue within the nasal skin. The progressive nature of these symptoms means that early intervention, both for the dermatological condition and any underlying alcohol use, can be beneficial in managing its progression. In severe cases, rhinophyma can lead to significant deformation of the nose, making it appear bulbous and disfigured. This deformation can impact breathing and cause discomfort, requiring medical intervention.

Rhinophyma — also sometimes referred to as “alcoholic nose” — is a physical condition that many people assume is caused by alcohol use disorder (alcoholism). Hormonal factors may also play a significant role in the development of rhinophyma. Genetic Alcoholics Anonymous predisposition to rosacea, which may exacerbate skin conditions over time, can be a contributing influence. Some individuals may have a hereditary tendency to develop rosacea, making them susceptible to rhinophyma regardless of alcohol consumption.

• Certain skincare products which are medically approved can help reduce redness caused by flare-ups.
• We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies.
• While no universally accepted gold standard for surgical treatment exists, various techniques have been developed to address the issue.
• Someone with alcoholism does not necessarily need to have rosacea to be an alcoholic.
• The condition appears to result from multiple contributing factors, with long-term rosacea being the primary predictor.

Therefore, those with rosacea should avoid alcohol since this particular side effect may be exacerbated by alcohol abuse. An alcoholic nose or a “whiskey nose” is a slang term used to describe a red nose or bumpy nose considered to be caused by excessive alcohol consumption. For early-stage rhinophyma or to prevent progression, topical medications can be highly effective. Metronidazole gel or cream is commonly prescribed as a first-line treatment for rosacea and can help reduce inflammation and redness when used consistently. 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.

It is uncomfortable and, in most cases, damaging to your appearance and self-esteem. Weighing the impact on your life against your desire to drink may help you to make a decision. Later stages of rhinophyma occur when the blood vessels have burst, and the nose becomes deformed and can only be treated with surgery.

Using the term “alcoholic nose” only makes the stigma stronger and even keeps people from getting the support they need. In the short-term, alcohol consumption can cause blood vessels to dilate, or widen, which can lead to a drop in blood pressure and increased blood flow to the skin and organs. This is why some individuals may experience a feeling of warmth or flushing after consuming alcohol. This can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke. Chronic alcohol consumption can also lead to the formation of blood clots, which can block blood vessels and increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. At Mana Recovery in Hawaii, we understand that conditions like “alcoholic nose” aren’t just about outward appearance—they often reflect deeper physical, emotional, and behavioral health needs.