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

In conclusion, the notion that alcohol consumption can make your nose bigger is nothing more than a myth. While excessive drinking can lead to physical changes in the face, these changes are not directly related to the alcohol itself. Genetic why do alcoholics have big noses factors and underlying skin conditions play a more significant role in determining the size and shape of your nose. It is crucial to seek accurate information and rely on scientific evidence when evaluating such widespread beliefs.

What is An Alcoholic Nose & is it Bad?

• They can help prescribe a lotion or medication that you can take to reduce the inflammation and lower the visible symptoms of your rosacea.
• Rhinophyma involves an increase in sebaceous, or oil, glands and underlying connective tissues in the face.
• In conclusion, the notion that alcohol consumption can make your nose bigger is nothing more than a myth.
• Thus, somebody who is an alcoholic and rhinophyma may have a redder and more bulbous nose than their red, and bulbous nose usually is.

For some individuals with alcohol addiction, it can be more effective to enroll in a treatment program outside of their local community. This way, they are not bombarded with social pressures and stigma close to home. Dermatology experts recommend anti-acne treatments, moisturizing your dry skin caused by rosacea, and using sunscreen lotions. While anyone can develop rhinophyma, it’s most commonly reported in white males, especially over age 50.

How to Reduce a Stuffy Nose at Night: 24 Tips to Sleep Better

Macie JepsonBut it could be a long-term commitment for some people to really, a commitment to pull away from alcohol significantly. There’s also differences in kind of the water content throughout the body in women and men as well. Macie JepsonAnd I’m Macie Jepson, and this is The Science of Health. So many questions here and today we are leaning on Dr. Ryan Marino for the answers.

Does drinking alcohol make your nose bigger?

However, the cartilage in the nose is not very flexible, so it can only grow so much. Looking at the image below as an example will give you an idea of what the appearance of what someone’s nose looks like when referred to as an “Alcohol Nose” or “Drinkers Nose”. A menthol chest rub (Vicks VapoRub) won’t clear congestion but can help you breathe more easily.

So alcohol has a number of effects and the main reason that people feel kind of relaxed and disinhibited and can even end up intoxicated is because it acts on your GABA receptors. And so if you think of GABA as being kind of the primary neurotransmitter that causes like relaxation, like benzodiazepines are a medication that would do the same kind of thing. Alcohol also acts on glutamate, which is the body’s main excitatory neurotransmitter. And so if you take the alcohol away, you may be kind of functioning at a more excited neurologic state.

Nonsurgical treatments

For people who develop rhinophyma, their face skin thickens, especially around the nose. Even a single alcoholic drink can cause flare-ups for many people with this condition. A survey by the National Rosacea Society found that red wine was the most common culprit, followed by white wine and beer.

Use Nasal Spray

In mild cases, topical treatments may be sufficient to improve the appearance of the nose. However, more severe cases may require surgery to remove excess tissue. Rhinophyma is the final and most intense stage of acne rosacea. If it is left untreated, it can cause medical problems, including respiratory issues that can make it challenging for a person to breathe. There isn’t a cure for rosacea but there are several methods individuals can do to prevent flare-ups, including knowing what actually triggers them.

• I mean that should be enough right there to make some people want to stop drinking.
• Obviously, this can decrease a person’s quality of life and be a hindrance to daily life and chores.

Alcoholic Nose: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

• If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please contact at
• While alcohol itself may not directly cause nosebleeds, chronic alcohol abuse can contribute to various health issues, including liver damage and impaired blood clotting.
• Due to this, the idea that alcoholism could cause rhinophyma held up for many years.
• We offer 24-hour psychiatric services provided by licensed professionals in various disciplines.
• Additives in red wine may cause even more noticeable reddening of the skin.

The effects that you feel in the short term and the kind of long-term changes aside, your brain can actually shrink over time from a lot of alcohol consumption. And the alcohol itself can cause brain damage, especially in like large overdoses, I guess I would say, consuming, binge drinking, that kind of thing. A combination of medication and lifestyle changes can help manage the rosacea that leads to rhinophyma. The doctor may provide a topical cream that constricts the blood vessels to reduce redness. Some people benefit from oral antibiotics, as well, or a drug for acne.

Alcoholic Nose Treatment

If you’re struggling with alcohol addiction, many treatment options are available. 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. Basal cell carcinoma is a slow-growing type of skin cancer that is not typically fatal. However, if severe cases are left untreated, it can cause disfigurement. Treatment for basal cell carcinoma usually involves surgery to remove the affected tissue.