The appearance of your nose shows whether you are overdoing it? The “nose of the alcoholic” is not only about drinking

The popular belief is that people who abuse alcohol often have a red nose that is swollen and covered with rough bumps. The “nose of the alcoholic” has been attributed to people who frequently drink alcohol by both comedians and pop culture, but researchers argue that these connections are stigmatizing and not entirely true. So what is the “nose of an alcoholic”, how can it be prevented and treated?

1. The “nose of the alcoholic” has been recognized for years as one of the hallmarks of people who have problems with excessive alcohol consumption. Meanwhile, it may be a symptom of an untreated disease that flares up both after alcohol and, among others, eating spicy foods or exposure to extreme temperatures
2. You can try to avoid the “nose of the alcoholic” by leading a balanced lifestyle, but when symptoms appear, it is not worth waiting and you have to go to a dermatologist right away
3. There is no cure that can cure the “alcoholic’s nose”, but some of the symptoms of rosacea that cause it can be dealt with. Laser therapies and surgical operations that remove tissue fragments are also effective
4. You can find more such stories on the TvoiLokony home page

“Alcoholic’s nose” – what is it?

Classic Hollywood productions and performances by comedians like WC Fields popularized the image of the alcoholic as a merry gentleman who babbles, staggers and has a huge red nose, which is his indispensable attribute next to chubby cheeks. According to the researchers, however, there is little correlation between excessive alcohol consumption and the “alcoholic’s nose”.

The “nose of the alcoholic” is actually a disease called rhinophyma, which means “nose growth” in Greek. It belongs to the skin conditions known as rosacea and is caused by chronic inflammation of the skin. This inflammation results from broken blood vessels and sores forming in and around the nose, making it swollen, uneven and, above all, red. In more severe cases of rhinophymia, or nasal tuberosity, it, like the cheeks, may be purple and severely distorted. However, bulbous degenerations do not arise immediately, but are the result of many years of untreating the disease and appear during its progression.

“The nose of the alcoholic” – causes

In a study cited by the site «Serenity Lane», it was found that nasal tuberosity affects only 15 out of 108 patients. This condition is also diagnosed in women, but in the study group, almost all people affected by this condition are men. People with fair or very fair skin and people with a family history of rosacea are more likely to develop the “nose of the alcoholic”.

According to experts, people with an “alcoholic’s nose” are often stigmatized, which makes them reluctant to seek medical help, which could be beneficial in their condition.

The “nose of the alcoholic” has been associated with alcohol abuse for many years and it is associated with the reddening of the skin that often accompanies the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Cleveland Clinic researchers after testing concluded that flushing can occur for two reasons – enzyme deficiency or rosacea, which is closely related to ethnicity and genetics.

A group that often experiences the so-called Flushing and flushing are Asians who are generally deficient in alcohol dehydrogenase, which is an enzyme that breaks down alcohol. Fair-skinned people with Northern European ethnicity are more likely to turn red as a result of a rosacea flare-up after drinking alcohol.

To understand how rosacea can lead to nasal tuberculosis, it’s important to understand what acne itself is. According to Mayo Clinic reports, rosacea can cause small red bumps that are filled with pus. Its symptoms may worsen for weeks or even months, and then over a period of time.

The disease can appear regardless of age or skin color, although it is more common in middle-aged white women. There is no cure for rosacea on the market today, but some of the symptoms can be treated. Redness of the center of the face, i.e. the nose and its vicinity, the appearance of swelling and red bumps, which can be easily confused with classic acne (nodules and the skin surrounding them, often hot and painful to touch), may be evidence of rosacea. face, eye problems, broken blood vessels in the face, enlarged pores and an oily complexion.

Drinking alcohol and the “nose of the alcoholic”

Drinking alcohol is not the only factor contributing to the exacerbation of rosacea symptoms, which can lead to the “nose of the alcoholic”. Other factors include:

1. spicy food
2. drinking hot drinks,
3. stress (and other strongly experienced emotions),
4. exposure to sunlight or wind
5. extreme temperatures (both hot and cold)
6. taking medications that dilate blood vessels,
7. increased physical activity,
8. warm baths,
9. using certain cosmetic and personal care products.

It is worth mentioning here, however, that not every person with rosacea will be affected by the “nose of the alcoholic”, as this condition develops only in a small percentage of people with rosacea.

Rhinophyma – treatment

There are two options for treating the “alcoholic’s nose” – medication or surgery. While there are no medications that can fully reverse nasal tuberosity, some symptoms can be managed, although this is difficult. Redness of the nose caused by rosacea can be treated with prescription medications. Doctors often prescribe topical and oral antibiotics to reduce inflammation and redness.

The list of substances used includes metronidazole, sulfacetamide, tetracycline, erythromycin (erythrocin stearate), minocycline, tretinoin, azelaic acid and isotretinoin.

Surgery is the most common treatment for an advanced “alcoholic’s nose”. Cryosurgery, which uses extremely low temperatures to freeze and remove unwanted tissues, or dermabrasion, where a small, rotating tool is used to remove the upper layers of the skin is successful in such procedures. A laser is also used to treat nasal tuberosity.

It is worth noting that the longer the tissue overgrowth remains on the skin, the greater the probability that it will become permanent, so people with an “alcoholic’s nose” should consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Prevention also plays an important role in the fight against rosacea. Doctors from the American Academy of Dermatology Association suggest that people who suffer from this disease make lifestyle changes, i.e. reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption, follow a healthy and balanced diet, maintain a healthy weight and exercise several times a week, do not smoke, reduced stress and regularly visited the dermatologist, reporting any changes they observed.