Alcoholic Nose Explained What You Need to Know

What is a Drinkers Nose?

Rhinophyma is the medical name for alcoholic nose, and it is a widely recognised side effect of drinking too much for too long. But are they always related? And how can you tell and treat this problem most effectively?

A large, bulbous and red-coloured nose is a well-known sign of drinking too much alcohol over many years. The nose may also be ruddy and bumpy in appearance, caused by the way alcohol affects your blood vessels and pores. This is known commonly as ‘alcoholic nose’ and is an upsetting and concerning side effect of drinking too much.

Try Desistal to Stop Drinking

Why Do Alcoholics Have a Red Nose?

Alcohol affects your skin in several ways that contribute to the final result of a swollen, red and misshapen nose. The main cause, however, isn’t rhinophyma but rosacea, which is triggered by alcohol use.

However, rosacea has other causes and alcoholic nose is more common in people with these predispositions.

• Genetic history of Rosacea
• Fair or light skin
• Male
• Aged 40-60

These groups are the most likely to suffer from alcoholic nose because the way alcohol affects circulation and skin exacerbates the situation. However, anyone can experience alcohol and non-alcohol-related rosacea it is just more likely in the above groups and people who persistently drink too much alcohol.

Red Nose Symptoms

Symptoms of Rhinophyma or drinker’s nose begin with swelling, redness and bumps on your nose. The misshapenness often grows much worse if you continue drinking to the point of blocking your nostrils and developing pus-filled oily lumps. The skin can become greasy and rough to the touch as well.

Will My Red Nose Go Away if I Stop Drinking?

A red nose can get better if you stop drinking after spotting early symptoms. There is no guaranteed treatment for rhinophyma, but it can go away on its own when you cease drinking alcohol.

There are several treatments available, but they cannot prevent it from coming back if you continue drinking.

Immediate flushing from drinking alcohol often fades a few hours after you stop drinking or, at worst, the next day. Severe red nose in the early days can take a few weeks to fade.

How to Get Rid of a Red Nose

Early-stage drinkers’ nose can be treated if you stop drinking immediately and use topical or oral antibiotics.

Up to a certain point, laser treatment can help with rosacea, but the effect will not last if you don’t stop drinking. Pulse dye laser treatment is used in these cases and can take up to four treatments to improve the appearance of your nose.

This treatment is not provided by the NHS, and self-funded treatment costs in the region of £200 per session.

Later stages of rhinophyma occur when the blood vessels have burst, and the nose becomes deformed and can only be treated with surgery. This also is not funded by the NHS, and reconstructive surgery can cost tens of thousands.

Try Desistal to Stop Drinking

Can I Still Drink Alcohol with Rosacea?

Each case of rosacea is different and brought on by individual situations. Track your flushing and rosacea. There are apps which can help you to keep track of when you flare up and what factors are influencing it.

It is possible that it is caused by something other than alcohol, but the drinking could still be making it worse long-term.

There aren’t really life-threatening complications from rosacea. Even blockage of your nose due to malformation won’t cause any dangerous issues. It is uncomfortable and, in most cases, damaging to your appearance and self-esteem. Weighing the impact on your life against your desire to drink may help you to make a decision.

How Do I Know if My Red Nose is Caused by Alcohol?

Although it can be unrelated, if you have been drinking large amounts of alcohol (over the recommended NHS limits) for more than 10 years, drink a significant amount every day or binge drink, you are more likely to be suffering from alcoholic nose.

What Drinks Cause Alcoholic Nose?

Any alcoholic drink can make red nose worse, but red wine and port are two of the most problematic. These have more effect on your circulatory system than other alcoholic drinks and are best avoided if you are worried about drinker’s nose.

If your skin reddening is slight or temporary, you might consider white wine or spirits in moderation to reduce the impact. More severe rhinophyma may get worse from drinking any kind of alcohol, and symptoms might get progressively worse.

The Good News About Alcoholic Nose

Despite its name having drinkers’ nose does not mean you are an alcoholic. Some people may get it with only a moderate amount of alcohol. The real concern is if skin and facial damage is causing you mental health issues, but you don’t feel you can stop drinking to improve the situation.

Not being able to stop drinking despite its negative consequences is one of the main signs of developing alcohol dependence.