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

Alcohol use disorder 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 Use Disorder 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.

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

Research has challenged earlier assumptions that alcohol use directly causes rhinophyma. Current evidence indicates that while alcohol does not cause rosacea or rhinophyma, it can worsen existing rosacea symptoms by dilating blood vessels and increasing skin inflammation.

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

Side Effects Of Alcohol Use Disorder 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 dermatologists advise patients with rosacea to limit or avoid alcohol, particularly red wine, which contains additives that can trigger or worsen flare-ups.

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

Why Alcohol Use Disorder 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 use disorder and alcoholic nose.

The persistent cultural association between rhinophyma and ‘alcoholism’ is medically inaccurate and causes real harm. People with rosacea, including those who don’t drink at all, may face unwarranted assumptions about their drinking habits.

Conversely, people with AUD who develop rosacea flare-ups may face compounded stigma. Healthcare providers should be aware of this stigma when discussing either condition with patients.

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 incidence 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 use disorder.

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.

Additionally, medications such as naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram are FDA-approved for AUD and significantly improve treatment outcomes, yet remain underutilized. A primary care physician or addiction specialist can discuss whether medication-assisted treatment is appropriate.

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