What Is Alcoholic Nose? Rhinophyma Causes, Symptoms Risks & More

what causes alcoholic nose

We can help find a detox or treatment program that will help get the services needed on the road to recovery. For many years, it was assumed that rhinophyma (a misshapen, red, bulbous nose skin condition) was the result of alcoholism. They may be able to make a diagnosis by simply asking about your medical history and performing a physical exam. A skin biopsy may occasionally be required to confirm the diagnosis, especially in rare cases where the condition doesn’t respond to treatment. Because alcoholic nose and alcoholism are not officially connected, it is hard to say that alcoholic nose points to an addiction.

Rhinophyma is a skin disorder characterized by a large, red, bumpy or bulbous nose.
This occurs when the skin of the nose has become bulbous enough to constrict the natural airways of the nose.
Another option is isotretinoin, a drug that shrinks the sebaceous glands, limiting how much oil they make.
Just because they have swelling and discoloration around the nose does not mean they are an alcoholic.
While it may contribute to rhinophyma or “drinker’s nose,” it probably doesn’t cause it.

How to Sober Up From Alcohol, Cocaine, and Other Substances

This article discusses the possible causes of a red nose and what you can do to manage it. If you’re starting a new medication, it’s always a good idea to talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist about how your medication can interact with alcohol. People with an alcohol intolerance or sensitivity can start feeling sick after just a few sips of alcohol. If you’re one of the many people who feel hungover after just 1 drink, here’s what you need to know about alcohol intolerance.

Or you may have an alcohol allergy, a stronger reaction that involves the immune system.
A medication known as Isotretinoin may be used for severe acne, but it is reserved for the most serious cases and only after people have tried other products to treat their skin.
At Georgetown Behavioral Hospital, you can take your addiction recovery journey one step at a time.
People can develop an alcohol intolerance for a couple of reasons.

Removing Addiction Stigma

what causes alcoholic nose

While misusing alcohol over a prolonged period of time may not be likely to cause an alcoholic nose, there are many other ways alcohol can affect your body. Alcohol can cause liver disease and kidney problems as well as increase your risk of cancer, heart attack and stroke. Using alcohol heavily, alcoholic nose especially over a long period of time, can have a devastating effect on your health. Alcohol affects your face and skin in general by enlarging both pores and blood vessels. Blood vessels expand and sometimes break, making some heavy drinkers look red and flushed even when sober.

It’s possible to be allergic to alcohol, but it’s not very common.
There are numerous cases of individuals who have treated and continued to manage their rhinophyma successfully.
Rhinophyma can be effectively treated with surgical techniques such as dermabrasion, electrocautery, and laser therapy.
While anyone can develop rhinophyma, it’s most commonly reported in white males, especially over age 50.
We offer 24-supervised detox programs to help you safely reduce substance use as comfortably as possible.
It is considered to be a progressive and chronic skin condition, meaning that a person’s skin changes and worsens gradually over time.

The term “alcoholic nose” has an interesting history and an even more interesting scientific explanation. Rosacea affects the nose more in men and the cheeks more in women, which makes men much more likely to get rhinophyma than women. Rhinophyma has not been shown to be connected to alcohol use, and calling rhinophyma an “alcoholic nose” is not medically correct.