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Alcoholic nose is a slang term used to describe the red, swollen nose that is thought by some to accompany chronic alcohol use. While this stereotype has some element of truth to it, there is some debate on how much alcohol actually affects the appearance of your nose.
“Alcoholic nose” is a term given to the medical condition rhinophyma when it’s thought to be caused by alcohol use. Rhinophyma is derived from Greek and literally means “nose growth.” While rhinophyma has traditionally been believed to be due to alcohol use, multiple studies show that this connection is very weak, and some researchers doubt there’s even a connection in the first place.
Alcoholic nose is also known by many other names, including:
Rhinophyma, often called an alcoholic nose, has a red, swollen, lumpy appearance. The nose may also have a purple-colored appearance and could be mistaken for warts or other skin blemishes resembling protruding lumps.
While the idea that alcohol causes rhinophyma has been popularized in movies and illustrations, studies do not support this stigma. However, alcohol may still play a very small role in increasing the risk of developing this condition.
The underlying condition that causes rhinophyma is rosacea. Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that affects the blood vessels in the face, leading to a flushed appearance of the facial skin. Rosacea also causes an increased number of pimples and poorer skin quality.
Drinking can increase the effects of existing rosacea and may increase the risk of this condition developing. However, many people who use alcohol heavily do not develop rosacea, which often occurs in people who do not drink alcohol or only use it in moderation.
Signs of rosacea can include:
Rhinophyma is essentially severe rosacea in the nose area. Rosacea affects the nose more in men and the cheeks more in women, which makes men much more likely to get rhinophyma than women. However, rhinophyma has not been shown to be connected to alcohol use, and calling rhinophyma an “alcoholic nose” is not medically correct.
Signs of rhinophyma can include:
Because an alcoholic nose is not really a medical condition, no one has a risk of developing it. However, people can be at risk of developing rhinophyma, which is sometimes referred to as an alcoholic nose. Some of the risk factors for developing rhinophyma include:
While “alcoholic nose” is not a medical condition requiring treatment, rhinophyma can be treated. The main treatment option for rhinophyma is surgery; however, some medications may provide a small degree of help.
Once rhinophyma is present, medications are unlikely to make it go away. Medications used to treat rhinophyma include topical medications that can be applied to the skin. These primarily are antibiotics that can treat infections that may be making rhinophyma worse or anti-inflammatory medications that help reduce continued inflammation.
Surgery is the main method used to treat rhinophyma. Many different surgical options use plastic surgery techniques. During a rhinophyma surgery, the physician will remove the extra skin that builds up on the nose and reduce the skin growths to help the nose return to its normal shape, size and appearance.
While surgery is the most commonly used method of treating rhinophyma, alternative therapies can also be used to try treating rosacea, the underlying cause of rhinophyma. These are not used in the medical community, but they may be useful for some people. Alternative therapies can include:
While these alternative therapies could provide some benefits, you should always speak with a doctor before attempting to use alternative therapies.
While misusing alcohol over a prolonged period 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 and increase your risk of cancer, heart attack and stroke. Using alcohol heavily, especially over a long period, can have a devastating effect on your health.
If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol abuse and addiction, The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake can help. Located on a 15-acre campus in the beautiful mountains of Colorado, our state-of-the-art facility can provide you with the ongoing support needed for lifelong addiction recovery. Contact us today to learn more about treatment programs that can help you begin the journey to a healthier, alcohol-free future.
No, alcoholic nose and rhinophyma are not the same. Alcoholic nose is a slang term for a red, swollen nose that is thought to be caused by chronic alcohol abuse. Rhinophyma is a serious condition marked by an enlarged, overgrown nose. Rhinophyma is a type of rosacea, a chronic skin condition that causes inflammation of the face. While the two terms are not synonymous, what people call an alcoholic nose is often actually rhinophyma.
Alcohol is a vasodilator that can relax the muscles in the walls of blood vessels, allowing them to widen. This dilation and the common facial redness that alcohol commonly causes can cause the appearance of a reddish or purplish nose. If a person consistently drinks in excess, then the coloration will be prone to showing often.
Yes, alcohol can cause redness in the nose. Alcohol can cause redness in the face in general. Alcohol can also cause the blood vessels to dilate, leading to increased blood flow to the nose and pronounced redness.
If the coloration in your nose is caused by the typical flushing and blood-vessel dilation of alcohol, then, yes, your red nose should fade as your body metabolizes the alcohol and excretes it from your system. If there are other underlying issues or complications, the redness may not go away if you stop drinking, and you may wish to see a doctor.
If the purplish color in your nose just appeared after drinking alcohol, the best thing you can do is wait for the excess alcohol to flush from your system. Staying hydrated and resting will help. If it seems that the coloration in your nose is more of a chronic problem that does not come and go with alcohol intake, then you should talk to a doctor as soon as you can.
Because alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous – and even kill you – make sure you have medical advice from your doctor or a rehab facility when you decide to stop drinking.
There are many misconceptions about alcoholism that make it sound like an alcoholic is an easy person to spot, however, many alcoholics function effectively and lead relatively normal lives.
An alcohol abuse problem can include binge drinking, having negative consequences such as hangovers with your drinking but continuing anyway, and drinking despite the desire to stop.
In a recent study by The Recovery Village, 44% of respondents reported abusing alcohol in an attempt to ease uncomfortable feelings that stem from underlying anxiety.
Drinking more than three drinks in a single sitting will temporarily cause your blood pressure to rise, but extended binge drinking or regular alcohol consumption can cause a permanent increase in blood pressure.
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Lio, Peter. “Alternative therapies hold promise for rosacea.” Dermatology Times, June 21, 2016. Accessed March 5, 2022.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Alcohol Use and Your Health.” December 29, 2021. Accessed March 5, 2022.
The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.
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