Alcoholic Nose: Signs, Causes & Treatments

When the capillaries on the surface of the nose break they can then appear purple. Ultimately, one of the biggest signs that you have a drinking problem is if you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms upon trying to reduce or completely stop your alcohol intake. If you recognize any of these signs of addiction in yourself or a loved one, it is time to get help. Seeking out professional rehab programs can help you overcome addiction and get your life back on track, and help with concrete resources that address how to stop drinking alcohol. With that being said, if you have either of these skin conditions, your symptoms may be worsened if you consume alcohol.

• To give yourself the best chance of recovering and achieving long-term sobriety, consider seeking professional addiction treatment.
• Alcohol use disorder and skin conditions like rosacea are connected because of the potential for alcohol to worsen existing skin conditions.
• Rhinophyma can be seen via the firming and thickening of the skin, and red, orange, and purple colors mostly noticed on the nose.
• Regularly hydrate by consuming adequate water, as this supports skin health and elasticity.

How Long Does it Take to Detox from Alcohol?

Early signs often include persistent redness of the nose, increased sensitivity to touch or temperature changes, and occasional burning or stinging sensations. Because alcohol dilates blood vessels and damages the vascular system, it can aggravate rhinophyma and other types of rosacea. 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 alcohol nose images thickening and symptoms. Topical retinoids might also be recommended for anyone who catches the condition in its early stages. Not everyone with rosacea who develops thickened skin will go on to develop rhinophyma.

What to Expect from an Inpatient Rehab Program Experience

• For these reasons, alcohol can aggravate symptoms of rosacea to a much more noticeable extent.
• Excessive drinking while already suffering from Rhinophyma, a rare medical condition, can spur the worsening of an alcoholism red nose.
• Rhinophyma is primarily caused by rosacea, a chronic skin condition affecting the blood vessels of the face, resulting in persistent facial redness.
• Once rhinophyma has developed, medications are generally ineffective in reversing the condition.

Rosacea often develops in the following stages, which increase in severity with age and continued aggravation. Moisturizing regularly helps maintain the skin barrier and may reduce sensitivity to environmental triggers. Products containing niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, or ceramides can be particularly beneficial for rosacea-prone skin. Wearing wide-brimmed hats and seeking shade during peak sun hours (10 AM to 4 PM) provides additional protection. Polarized sunglasses can reduce reflected UV exposure and may help prevent eye-related rosacea symptoms. Electrosurgery uses electrical current to remove tissue and can be effective for moderate cases of rhinophyma.

What are alcoholic facial symptoms?

Alcoholic nose, otherwise known by the Alcohol Use Disorder medical term Rhinophyma, is a skin condition thought to be caused by alcoholism. Alcohol is a vasodilator, which means it increases blood flow to the skin’s surface, causing redness and inflammation. While Rhinophyma is not directly caused by alcohol consumption, alcohol can trigger or worsen the symptoms of rosacea like redness on the skin.

Connection Between Rosacea and Rhinophyma (Alcoholic Nose)

If these symptoms are present, a doctor may suggest antibiotics, or another form of treatment to try to alleviate the irritation on the skin. Left untreated rhinophyma can cause excessive scar tissue to form, and surgery may be necessary. Recurrence is possible but uncommon when patients maintain proper post-surgical care and ongoing rosacea management with sun protection and trigger avoidance. While not “cured,” rhinophyma can be very effectively treated with medications and surgery, achieving excellent long-term results with proper management. When you https://ecosoberhouse.com/ drink alcohol while dealing with other triggers, the effects can pile up.

What Is An Alcoholic Nose Or Drinker’s Nose (Rhinophyma)?

• With progression, the aesthetic subunits of the nose merge and become obliterated.
• Not everyone with rosacea who develops thickened skin will go on to develop rhinophyma.

We offer various treatment options, including inpatient and outpatient programs, and our staff is dedicated to helping each patient achieve lasting sobriety. Early-stage rhinophyma symptoms are consistent with rosacea and may include facial flushing or redness. As the condition progresses, symptoms like an enlarged nasal tip (bulbous nose), disfigurement, and a bumpy or ridged facial texture may occur. So while terms like “alcoholic nose” and “whiskey nose” may have a catchy ring to them, they are not accurate indicators of what causes severe rosacea or rhinophyma nose. With that being said, alcohol abuse can lead to several other health conditions, which may be worse than rhinophyma. While excessive alcohol consumption is unlikely to directly cause an alcoholic nose, it can have numerous other detrimental effects on the body.