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

Home » What Is An Alcoholics Nose » What Is An Alcoholic Nose Or Drinker's Nose (Rhinophyma)?

Maybe your like

answered by Treatment X Evidence Based What Is An Alcoholic Nose Or Drinker’s Nose (Rhinophyma)? Written by Dr. Anjali Talcherkar, Ph.D. Medically Reviewed by Johnelle Smith, M.D.

Updated on July 31, 2023

Alcoholic nose, known by its clinical name, rhinophyma, is a condition that causes the nose to become bumpy, swollen, and red in appearance. Also referred to as “drinker’s nose,” this condition may be the result of rosacea as well as alcohol abuse.

ON THIS PAGE:
  • What Is An Alcoholic Nose?
  • Effects Of Alcohol On Rosacea
  • Signs Of Alcoholic Nose
  • How Rosacea Leads To Drinker’s Nose
  • Effects Of Alcohol On Rhinophyma
  • Cause Of Alcoholic Nose
  • Why Alcohol Abuse Gets The Blame
  • Treatment For Rosacea
  • Treatment For Alcohol Addiction
  • FAQ
  • Show More
Addiction Resource Logo Why Trust Recovery Guide

At Recovery Guide, our mission is to connect as many individuals struggling with mental health and substance abuse disorders to reputable treatment facilities.

To achieve this goal, we set strict guidelines for our editorial team to follow when writing about facilities and utilize behavioral healthcare experts to review medical content for accuracy.

While we receive compensation in the form of paid advertisements, these advertisements have absolutely no impact on our content due to our editorial independence policy.

Chronic alcohol abuse can lead to or aggravate the symptoms of a range of health problems. This includes effects on a condition commonly known as “alcoholic nose.”

What Is An Alcoholic Nose?

Alcoholic nose is also referred to as drinker’s nose. It typically manifests as a noticeably red, bumpy, or bulbous nose or swollen cheeks.

This is a skin disorder called rhinophyma, which is a side effect of another type of skin condition called rosacea.

The Effect Of Alcohol Addiction On People With Rosacea

Rosacea is generally associated with inflammation of the facial skin. This includes broken blood vessels, which causes facial skin to appear bumpy and red. It is most likely to show up in older adults.

While alcoholism may not be responsible for causing rhinophyma or rosacea, it is still associated with chronic skin inflammation issues because it can aggravate flare-ups.

Signs And Symptoms Of Alcoholic Nose

Below are some of the most common physical indications that you or a loved one may have alcoholic nose.

Rhinophyma is characterized by a few telltale signs and symptoms, including:

  • a red nose
  • a red face
  • broken, visible blood vessels on the nose
  • bulbous nose shape
  • facial or nose skin that is waxy or rough
  • red patches on the skin
  • red tip of the nose
  • large bumps or pimples/pustules on the nose
  • enlarged pores on the nose or cheeks

In the early stages of drinker’s nose, these symptoms will be mild to moderate in form. People who have rosacea may not develop rhinophyma until years later in life.

How Rosacea And Alcohol Abuse Lead To Drinker’s Nose

Alcohol use disorder and skin conditions like rosacea are connected because of the potential for alcohol to worsen existing skin conditions.

Drinking alcohol enlarges the blood vessels, which makes them more susceptible to bursting.

Because of this, people who drink a lot or increase their alcohol intake over time and also have rosacea may experience increased side effects — including alcoholic nose.

Ad Get Support If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, getting help is just a phone call away, or consider trying therapy online with BetterHelp. Exclusive offer: 20% Off BetterHelp* Try Therapy Online With BetterHelp As a BetterHelp affiliate, we receive commissions if you purchase through the BetterHelp links above. *Get 20% off your first month of BetterHelp. This offer is only available to users who have never received therapy with BetterHelp.

Until recently, doctors believed that rosacea and rhinophyma could be caused by alcoholism.

However, a scientific study that came out in 2015 at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine dismantled the theory that alcohol abuse and alcoholic nose are connected.

Alcohol addiction and alcohol abuse do not directly cause rhinophyma. Yet chronic alcohol abuse can worsen the condition (rosacea), which leads to drinker’s nose when left untreated.

Side Effects Of Alcohol Abuse In People With Rhinophyma

The most common side effect of rosacea in people who drink is flushed skin. With time, rosacea can worsen, and for people who drink alcohol heavily, this can mean developing rhinophyma.

Widened blood vessels caused by heavy drinking allow more blood to travel to right beneath the skin’s surface, which gives the face a more flushed or red appearance.

The shoulders and chest are also susceptible to looking more flushed or red after drinking alcohol.

When left untreated, alcoholic eyes, or ocular rosacea may occur. This typically results in the eyes becoming swollen and red in appearance.

Each individual is sensitive to alcohol in different ways, so everyone who has rosacea may not see a flare-up after drinking.

The Cause Of Alcoholic Nose

Unfortunately, doctors are not yet clear on the direct cause of rhinophyma. It shows up more frequently in men than women and is common among those with fair skin and European ancestry.

Current research indicates that people with rhinophyma often have a genetic predisposition to or family history of rosacea, especially if treatments for their rosacea prove ineffective.

Many doctors advise patients with rosacea to avoid drinking and cooking with alcohol, especially red wine for women, to avoid aggravating the skin condition.

Additives in red wine may cause even more noticeable reddening of the skin.

Why Alcohol Abuse Gets The Blame For Rhinophyma

For those wondering what is an alcoholic nose, it makes sense that many people still associate this skin condition with heavy alcohol consumption.

This common name and years of misinformation from the medical community about the condition prompted a false link between alcohol abuse and alcoholic nose.

The association between alcohol abuse and rosacea can be traumatizing for some people with rosacea. They may not want to be seen in public during a flare-up.

They may fear that others will associate their swollen, bumpy nose or red cheeks with alcoholism.

The social stigma related to alcohol abuse and alcoholic nose highlights the social pressures and barriers that still exist for those with substance abuse issues.

Treatment For Rosacea

Rosacea can be treated in its early stages with antibiotics, including topical creams.

Dermatology experts recommend anti-acne treatments, moisturizing your dry skin caused by rosacea, and using sunscreen lotions.

Medical advice for rosacea treatment includes risk factors people can avoid to lessen their instance of flare-ups, which may include some lifestyle changes.

This could mean cutting out or avoiding the following:

  • spicy foods
  • sunlight
  • being in the wind
  • high emotions
  • certain exercises
  • certain prescription drugs, such as blood pressure medications
  • makeup and other cosmetic products

However, these treatment methods have not been effective for reducing swelling or the appearance of bumps on the nose from rhinophyma.

Surgery, including laser treatment or dermabrasion, may be necessary to remove large bumps on the nose from rhinophyma if they interfere with breathing.

Treatment For Alcohol Use Disorder

People who may benefit from alcohol treatment programs may be deterred from taking initial steps in seeking treatment. They may be afraid they will feel shamed by other people’s judgments of alcohol abuse.

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.

This helps eliminate some triggers and improves their odds of sticking with an alcohol rehab program. Treatment plans for alcoholism may include detox, inpatient drug treatment programs, 12-step programs, aftercare, relapse prevention planning, and more.

Find An Addiction Recovery Center Today

Browse our directory or reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for more information about addiction recovery.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff

This page does not provide medical advice. See more Article resources

Addiction Resource aims to provide only the most current, accurate information in regards to addiction and addiction treatment, which means we only reference the most credible sources available.

These include peer-reviewed journals, government entities and academic institutions, and leaders in addiction healthcare and advocacy. Learn more about how we safeguard our content by viewing our editorial policy.

  • National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism — Alcohol Facts and Statisticshttps://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohol-topics/alcohol-facts-and-statistics
  • The University of Rochester — Rosaceahttps://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content?ContentTypeID=85&ContentID=P00311
  • Was this Helpful?
  • YesNo
Home > Alcohol Abuse > Alcoholic Nose Ad Delray Beach, FL The Recovery Team

(303 reviews)

Levels of Care

Detox Residential/Inpatient

Payment Options

Insurance Accepted Private Insurance Self Pay View Profile View Profile (561) 677-8521 Ad Watsonville, CA Elevate Addiction Services

(316 reviews)

Levels of Care

Detox Residential/Inpatient

Payment Options

Insurance Accepted View Profile View Profile (844) 755-3009 Ad Green Valley, Arizona The Haven Detox

(34 reviews)

Levels of Care

Detox Residential/Inpatient

Payment Options

Insurance Accepted Private Insurance Self Pay View Profile View Profile (520) 412-6911 People also read Alcoholic Hallucinosis 5 Ways To Help An Alcoholic Friend

All Addiction Resource content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies.

If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please contact at [email protected].

About This Ad

Close

This is a paid advertisement. The treatment provider shown has purchased ad placement on AddictionResource.net and is clearly identified, so you know exactly who you are contacting.

We sell advertising space only. We are not a treatment provider and do not offer medical advice, clinical services, or treatment referrals. When you call, you will only reach the advertiser identified in this ad.

We do not endorse any advertiser or guarantee the quality of care, outcomes, or results.

For more details, see our Advertising Policy. Providers interested in advertising can explore marketing options here.

Get Help Now answered by Treatment X (844) 994-1177 answered by Treatment X Addiction Resource Logo

Get Help Today

(844) 994-1177 Addiction Resource Logo × Close Panel

Tag » What Is An Alcoholics Nose