Rhinophyma Condition UT Southwestern Medical Center

Contact us today to learn more about treatment programs that can help you begin the journey to a healthier, alcohol-free future. Rhinophyma has historically been referred to as alcoholic nose due to the incorrect belief that alcohol bulbous nose from alcohol consumption may lead to the condition. That said, alcohol and caffeine can both temporarily dilate blood vessels, which seems to worsen rhinophyma. Since rhinophyma is a form of rosacea, the treatment for rhinophyma is similar.

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The association between alcohol abuse and rosacea can be traumatizing for some people with rosacea. However, a scientific study that came out in 2015 at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine dismantled the theory that alcohol abuse and alcoholic nose are connected. Some people might be prescribed a low dose course of isotretinoin (Accutane) to help shrink enlarged oil glands that might also be contributing to skin thickening and symptoms. Topical retinoids might also be recommended for anyone who catches the condition in its early stages. Drinking alcohol has been debunked by research as a direct link to this condition. But we do know that drinking can cause more flushing in people with rosacea.

How Is Alcoholic Nose Treated?

Some races, such as Asians, lack certain enzymes to process alcohol, leading them to have a flushed face upon consuming alcohol. However, rhinophyma can make normal breathing through the nose a challenge. Obviously, this can decrease a person’s quality of life and be a hindrance to daily life and chores. Aside from physical repercussions, those who deal with rhinophyma can also face prejudice for their physical appearance. Those who struggle with rhinophyma might feel awkward seeking medical treatment and worry about others incorrectly labeling them as alcoholics or assuming they have a drinking problem.

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• However, it is not more or less impactful than any other risk factors, such as gender, age, skin tone, and family history.
• However, drinking alcohol and consuming caffeine can dilate blood vessels, which can aggravate existing rhinophyma.
• As stated earlier, the medical definition of an alcoholic nose is rhinophyma.

Nonsurgical treatments

Our assistance line is a complimentary service, with no charges incurred by the caller. Our primary goal is to facilitate the discovery of a Legacy Healing Center that matches your recovery aspirations. These procedures aim to reshape and smooth the affected areas of the nose, improving both function and appearance. Another option is isotretinoin, a drug that shrinks the sebaceous glands, limiting how much oil they make.

Experts theorize that androgenic hormones found in males may trigger rhinophyma. Therefore, preventing Rosacea from developing is an essential step towards preventing bulbous nose. The racial background can also play a part in the development of this condition. Rhinophyma commonly affects people who have fair skin, such as the Irish, English, Scottish, Scandinavian, and Eastern European. A bulbous nose is more commonly found in men than women, especially men 25 to 50 years of age. To put it simply, rhinophyma is a skin condition wherein the tip of the nose grows in size and becomes roundish in shape.

There are numerous cases of individuals who have treated and continued to manage their rhinophyma successfully. Please note, however, that medications will not make rhinophyma go away once it is already present, but can reduce its appearance and prevent infections. Rhinophyma can be difficult on a person’s self-esteem, as it can be difficult to hide and can inspire a lot of judgment and social stigma.

Surgical treatments

Rhinophyma is a skin disorder that causes the nose to become enlarged. Some other symptoms include lumpy, thickened skin and broken blood vessels. Springbrook Psychiatric Hospital is a 66 bed inpatient mental health facility located in Hernando County. We offer 24-hour psychiatric services provided by licensed professionals in various disciplines. Our hospital offers a variety of programs that can be tailored to patient needs, including an older adult program, dual diagnosis treatment and general psychiatric care. People who may benefit from alcohol treatment programs may be deterred from taking initial steps in seeking treatment.

Medication is not always enough to control rhinophyma once it has developed. Many times, it can be stubborn and require something stronger, in this case surgery. However, if a case of rhinophyma is less severe, some of the treatments we discussed for rosacea may be used. However, there are several treatments that you can try to control symptoms and reduce visible redness.

Signs and symptoms

Experts also recommend a healthy skin care routine, especially for individuals suffering from Rosacea. They often prescribe regular use of sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher. Doctors might also suggest a laser resurfacing to remove the outgrowth of tissues. Cryosurgery is another painless surgical method of removing abnormal tissue growth from the nose.