Alcoholic Nose: Symptoms, Causes, And Treatments

Insider talked to Utter and other specialists about some tell-tale signs of alcohol misuse or abuse — and how to change your patterns for better health and looks. But a 2015 study from the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine proved that there is no connection between alcohol abuse and rhinophyma or rosacea. This is a very common skin condition that tends to emerge for weeks or months at a time. Rosacea is caused by blood vessels swelling under the skin, causing red skin sores.

Rhinophyma (enlarged nose)

• Alcoholic nose does not prevent someone from breathing or give them any trouble in their day-to-day life.
• It also means that individuals who abuse alcohol are more likely to be drowsy during the day, making driving and working potentially dangerous.
• Additionally, heavy alcohol use can also dehydrate the body, including the nasal membranes, making them more fragile and prone to bleeding.
• When blood vessels burst, it makes the blood visible under the surface of the skin, leading to skin redness.

The study surveyed a range of people with the skin condition and revealed that rhinophyma is found in just as many individuals who do not drink as in those who do drink. Though the causes of rhinophyma are unknown, it’s thought to be a severe form of a skin disease called rosacea. The liver processes most of the alcohol we drink but is unable to deal with all of it. For heavy drinkers and those with an alcohol use disorder, the remaining alcohol leaves the body via breath, sweat, and urine.

• Dehydration is a biggie when it comes to dry skin, puffiness, and management of skin conditions like psoriasis or rosacea.
• Treatment can vary depending on the severity of your addiction but typically includes a combination of detox, inpatient care, support groups and sober living aftercare.
• 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.
• The truth is that studies have shown there is very little, if any, connection between alcohol use and rhinophyma.
• Combining alcohol and certain drugs causes the negative effects on oral hygiene to become worse.

The Link Between Alcohol and Rosacea

Notably, it should not be assumed that someone with this condition suffers from alcohol use disorder. Another side effect that is generally connected to excessive consumption of alcohol is an alcohol red nose. Popularly known as “alcoholic nose,” the condition is when someone develops a red, enlarged, bulbous-looking nose. It is commonly alcoholic nose believed that the alcoholic red nose stems from alcohol abuse or chronic addiction. Alcoholic nose, or drinkers nose, is a skin condition commonly characterized by a bumpy, red, or swollen appearance of the nose and cheeks. For years, it was widely believed that this condition was caused by alcohol use disorder or alcoholism.

• In general, people with rosacea tend to flush more when they are drinking.
• It is impossible to completely reverse an alcohol nose at such a stage with just medication.
• As the condition progresses, swollen blood vessels appear, then acne-like pimples.
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• Alcoholic nose, or drinker’s nose, is an informal term that refers to an enlarged purple nose that is thought to be caused by chronic alcohol abuse.
• Having a big nose, even as a result of rosacea, is not necessarily a sign of alcoholism.

Signs and symptoms

However, more recent research has actually determined that alcoholic nose, or rhinophyma, has nothing to do with how much or how little a person drinks. Apart from rosacea and alcoholic nose, long-term alcohol consumption can also lead to other skin issues, such as skin dehydration. These conditions not only affect your appearance but can also impact your overall well-being. If you or a loved one are experiencing such symptoms, it is essential to seek professional help and consider alcohol addiction treatment if necessary. It was previously thought that excessive alcohol consumption was the cause of rhinophyma, hence the nickname alcoholic nose or drinkers nose.

Our evidence-based treatment for alcoholism is guided by a trauma-informed philosophy recognizing the needs and dignity of our clients. We offer a safe place where the roots of addiction can be explored safely and effectively. Developing an alcohol red nose may be a sign of a serious problem with alcohol. Fortunately, it’s a disease that responds well to the right treatment. It is not uncommon for someone who is drinking alcohol to feel flushed or for their skin to become red.

Factors that Cause Red Alcohol Nose

Another common reason why this skin condition has been called alcoholic nose is that if a person has this condition, drinking alcohol can cause flare-ups. Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is another indicator of liver disease and is most commonly caused by alcohol use disorder. 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. When the capillaries on the surface of the nose break they can then appear purple.

• Medications, psychotherapy, inpatient and outpatient treatment, and even online communities geared toward “gray-area drinkers” can help.
• Topical and oral antibiotics reduce inflammation and redness, and other topical medications minimize inflammation.
• Persistent skin sores and skin infections are more common in people with weakened immune systems.
• Your insurance plan may cover some or all of the cost of treatment for drug or alcohol addiction.
• Alcoholic nose is a slang term used to describe the red, swollen nose that is thought by some to accompany chronic alcohol use.