What Is Alcoholic Nose? Rhinophyma Causes & Symptoms

We offer compassionate and expert clinical care to support people in their recovery from substance abuse. The term ‘alcoholic nose” or “drinker’s nose” refers to the skin disorder rhinophyma. Rhinophyma causes the skin on the nose to thicken and the sebaceous glands to enlarge. Rosacea is not caused by alcoholism, but alcohol abuse can affect rosacea, which may worsen the appearance of a drinker’s nose. In general, it is mostly incorrect to say rhinophyma is caused by alcoholism or alcohol dependency. There are people alcoholic nose swelling who develop rhinophyma who do NOT drink—or drink very minimal amounts. In some cases, the association of rhinophyma with alcoholism can make people embarrassed to seek treatment for their skin condition for fear of being labeled as an alcoholic. Sunshine Behavioral Health strives to help people who are facing substance abuse, addiction, mental health disorders, or a combination of these conditions. It does this by providing compassionate care and evidence-based content that addresses health, treatment, and recovery.

So-called “drinker’s nose” is a common way to describe what is known as rhinophyma. Rosacea is a skin condition that is characterized by red cheeks or red patches on the face along with visible blood vessels. Rhinophyma is a skin condition that affects the nose, causing a deformed appearance. Men are more likely to develop the disease than women, mainly Caucasian men, though the exact reason is unknown. Commonly characterized by a swollen, red, bumpy appearance on the nose, the cause of rhinophyma (sometimes referred to as “alcoholic nose”) has often been attributed to alcoholism. New research Sober House has brought the connection between rhinophyma and alcoholism into question. Rosacea, which is closely related to many of the symptoms of rhinophyma, has been linked to alcoholism or the heavy consumption of alcohol. Treatment plans for alcoholism may include detox, inpatient drug rehab, 12-step programs, aftercare and relapse prevention planning, and more. If you or a loved one are struggling with long-term alcohol abuse, contact one of our helpful alcohol treatment specialists today. We can provide information on rehab programs and detox programs that may fit your specific needs.

What Is Alcoholic Nose?

Alcoholism often has a devastating impact on both mental and physical health. It can also greatly affect outward appearance, ranging from minor skin abnormalities to potentially life-threatening conditions. The more symptoms you have, the more urgent the need for treatment. A doctor or another health professional can formally assess your symptoms to learn if alcohol use disorder is present. However, these lifestyle changes are ineffective for reducing swelling or the appearance of red bumps of a person’s nose due to rhinophyma. Until recently, doctors believed that rosacea and drinker’s nose could be caused directly by drinking too much alcohol. Many doctors advise individuals with rosacea to avoid drinking and cooking with alcohol to prevent aggravating the skin disorder. Living with alcohol use disorder can be scary, but support is available.

For those already suffering from redness due to rosacea, alcohol can make this symptom increasingly worse. Medical advice for those seeking treatment from a skin condition like rosacea includes avoiding risk factors to reduce redness and rosacea flare-ups. Rhinophyma is a type of rosacea, a long-term skin condition that primarily affects the face. While the condition is more common in women, rosacea symptoms are often more severe in men. Alcohol addiction can lead to a number of side effects, which may include affecting rosacea.

Experiencing Withdrawal Symptoms

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that is characterized by facial flushing—especially in the nasal area or cheeks—and irregular redness. As part of rosacea, small, red, and pus-filled bumps might also form on the face. The condition can often take years to fully develop, beginning slowly with the reddening of the skin on the top of the nose. Rhinophyma, also referred to as alcoholic nose, is a skin condition that affects the size, shape, and skin of the nose. It has often been believed that this condition was a result of alcoholism, but new research has brought this into question. Some people believe that alcohol consumption may lead to the condition, but studies do not support this link. However, alcohol and caffeine can both temporarily dilate blood vessels, which seems to worsen rhinophyma. The precursor to rhinophyma is acne rosacea, a long-term skin condition that is more common in females. Facial redness – Alcohol abuse reduces vascular control in the brain which can lead to blood vessels in the face becoming enlarged.

Learn more about rhinophyma, the relationship with alcohol and what treatment options are available. While the exact cause of rhinophyma is unknown, it is suspected that circulatory issues and vascular irregularities can help to aggravate the condition. Keeping alcohol’s influence on the vascular system in mind, there are certain cases where heavy consumption of alcohol could contribute to the symptoms of rhinophyma. If the rosacea is not properly treated or controlled, within a few years the nose can grow and become bulbous. Combined resurfacing techniques for the treatment of rhinophyma typically have a ten to fourteen day recovery period. During this time, patients may experience some swelling or redness of the skin. As with water retention in the face and body due to the dehydrating effects of alcohol, the feet can also become swollen and discolored due to excessive alcohol abuse. Recurrent swelling of the may suggest an underlying issue with the kidneys, liver, or heart and should be seen by a doctor if continuing for more than two days in a row. No matter how severe a substance abuse problem may seem, most people with alcohol addiction can benefit from treatment.

We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Over time, the number of sebaceous glands and the changes in connective tissue increase, which can result in progressive deformity. Also, chronic infection often results because the fluid from the sebaceous glands thickens and can hold bacteria. Evidence shows that rhinophyma begins as “pre-rosacea,” and the only symptom at this stage is facial flushing. Our helpline is offered at no cost to you and with no obligation to enter into treatment. Recognizing that you have a substance use disorder and deciding to seek…

Full blown rhinophyma is characterized by obvious changes to the size, shape, and skin of the nose. Often times, large, bulb-like growths will appear near the tip of the nasal passage. Rhinophyma symptoms will usually begin with the reddening of the skin on and near the nose. Over a time frame of six months up to several years, this reddening will continue to worsen and growths may become noticeable, especially near the tip of the nose. The rosacea may begin first anywhere in the central face however in this form the nose is always the worst affected area. In rhinophymatous rosacea the inflammation is usually more aggressive, with tender red lumps on the nose and pimple-like pustules occurring frequently. Rarely, severe pain after drinking alcohol is a sign of a more serious disorder, such as Hodgkin’s lymphoma. There are many other areas of appearance outside of the skin and face that can be affected by alcohol abuse. The calories contained in alcohol are commonly referred to as ‘empty calories’, meaning they hold no nutritional value for the body. This means the body adds these calories onto the ones consumed via food every time we drink, which can often put people way over their calorie limit if they drink excessively.