Alcoholic Nose

What is Alcoholic Nose?

“Alcoholic nose”, a slang term used to describe a swollen, red, bumpy nose, was thought to be caused by drinking too much alcohol. It was believed that this skin condition only affected those with alcohol use disorder (AUD), a medical condition defined by the uncontrollable use of alcohol despite the negative consequences.

What is Rhinophyma?

Rhinophyma is a disfiguring nasal deformity due to the proliferation of sebaceous glands and underlying connective tissue. The name itself is broken down into “rhis,” derived from Greek meaning nose, and “phyma,” also Greek, for skin tumor. 

This disfiguring disorder is essential to treat, as patients are subject to psychological distress and respiratory issues when alar thickening can obstruct the external nasal valves. An additional social challenge is a commonly presumed link to excessive alcohol use. The direct causal relationship between rhinophyma and alcohol has not been substantiated and has promoted a social stigma, as colloquial names for this condition include “whiskey nose” and “gin blossom.” “Potato nose” is another common lay description of this type of nose. Hollywood has used rhinophyma to indicate distasteful or villainous characters: in “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” (1937), the villain Queen was given a rhinophyma, besides deep rhytids and periorbital swelling.

Historically, rhinophyma has been mistakenly linked to alcohol consumption, but there has been no substantiated evidence that excessive alcohol use, is in any way related to rhinophyma. Instead, this incorrect association has created a stigma for individuals with rhinophyma as well as a host of inconsiderate colloquial terms, including:

Red Nose Alcohol

Most people have experienced a red nose after a cold, flu, or an allergic reaction. In these cases, the redness is usually due to the dry skin that results from persistent wiping. The nose can also turn red due to skin and blood vessel issues, chronic inflammation, allergies, and a few other conditions.

Why do alcoholics have red noses? Alcohol is a vasodilator, which means when a person drinks it, their blood vessels open up. More blood flow to the skin causes the red, irritated look common with rhinophyma. There is a misconception that being an alcoholic will cause you to form a bulbous and red nose. That nose, sometimes called “drinker’s nose” or “alcohol nose” is actually known as rhinophyma, a side effect of rosacea. Alcohol can aggravate rosacea flare-ups, thus potentially making rhinophyma more severe.

Can alcohol cause nose bleeds? Liver disease, kidney disease, chronic alcohol consumption, or another underlying health condition can lower your blood’s ability to clot and therefore cause your nose to bleed. Alcohol and nose bleeds are indicators that you need immediate medical attention and need to give up alcohol. Alcohol stuffy nose, on the other hand, is a sign of alcohol intolerance. Alcohol intolerance can cause immediate, uncomfortable reactions after you drink alcohol. The most common signs and symptoms are stuffy noses and skin flushing. Alcohol intolerance is caused by a genetic condition in which the body can’t break down alcohol efficiently.

Roseacea

Rosacea is a skin condition that causes the skin to look red and irritated. In some people, rosacea begins as a tendency to blush easily. The redness typically begins on the cheeks, spreading to the nose, ears, chin, and other areas of the face or body. Rosacea is not well understood. Some doctors believe that it occurs when a person’s blood vessels easily dilate and expand, making the skin look red. [2]

In some people, specific triggers cause a rosacea flare-up, including eating spicy food. Four types of rosacea can cause the nose to turn red:

• Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea, which causes flushing, redness, and noticeable blood vessels.
• Ocular rosacea, which irritates the eyes and eyelids but does not typically affect the nose. However, people with this form of rosacea may develop other types of rosacea.
• Phymatous rosacea, which causes the skin to thicken and develop a bumpy texture.
• Papulopustular rosacea, which causes acne, redness, and swelling.

Rosacea is treatable, but some people with rosacea develop permanent redness on their skin.

Symptoms of Alcoholic Nose

In the early stages of rhinophyma or alcoholic nose, these symptoms are mild to moderate. People who have rosacea may not develop an alcoholic nose until years later in life.

Who is Susceptible to Developing Alcoholic Nose?

While women can be diagnosed with the condition, it is found much more commonly in men. People with fair or light skin tone, or those with a family history of rosacea, are more likely to develop rhinophyma. Rhinophyma is a rare disorder, and the exact cause is largely unknown. However, there are factors that put you at a greater risk for developing the skin condition, including:

• Being male
• Being between the ages of 50 and 70
• Having fair skin
• Having heritage that is Irish, English, Scottish, Scandinavian, or Eastern European ‌
• Having a family history of the skin condition
• Having a rosacea diagnosis

Managing the Effects of Rhinophyma

‌Before trying surgery, your doctor may try an oral acne medication called isotretinoin. It is a retinoid that is usually prescribed for patients with acne. While it won’t cure rhinophyma, the medication may help to reduce redness and slow or reverse the growth of sebaceous glands that cause enlarged pores and bumpy skin texture.‌ [3]

The most common treatment for rhinophyma or alcoholic nose is surgery. Depending on the severity of your condition, a plastic surgeon can improve both the outer appearance and functionality of your nose by:

• Reshaping any disfigurement of your nose
• Removing any overgrown tissue‌
• Minimizing blood vessels that are oversized‌‌

Rhinophyma Treatment

There is no cure for rhinophyma, but there are several options that health care providers use to address the skin condition and help to improve the individual’s self-confidence and emotional well-being. Each modality offers several different strategies as well. These include:

• Medications. Doctors may prescribe topical treatments and/or oral antibiotics to help manage rhinophyma.
• Surgical procedures Doctors remove tissue and recontour the nose, often using multiple methods during surgery.
• Laser therapies. Radiofrequency and plasma are used to help remove the excess tissue and reshape the nose. [4,5]