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When people think of a heavy drinker, they may think of someone with a red, bulbous nose. While some people with alcohol use disorders do in fact have noses that look like that, not all do. Alcohol addiction and its effects are actually quite complex.
What Is Rhinophyma? Rhinophyma is the medical term for a red, swollen nose. People with rhinophyma have an advanced form of a skin condition known as rosacea. This advanced form of rosacea produces noncancerous tumors and oil glands on the nose. More women than men have rosacea, but more men have rhinophyma, a condition that is most common in fair-skinned men with European backgrounds who are fifty to seventy years old. Is it common in people who abuse alcohol? It depends on who you ask. Does Alcohol Addiction Cause Swollen Noses? Some heavy drinkers do in fact have rhinophyma, which has led to nicknames for the condition that include drinkers nose, alcoholic nose, bulbous nose, rum nose, brandy nose, and other terms. Comedian and actor W. C. Fields, for example, was known for his bulbous nose and his love of drink, which may have reinforced the connection between the two. Researchers are divided about whether alcohol abuse causes rhinophyma and whether the two are linked. A study published in 2019 claimed that it provided “arguments to support the age-old supposition of a link between alcohol and rhinophyma and suggests … a possible causal role.” Other studies say that alcohol can make the effects of rhinophyma worse for people who already have rosacea. Drinking alcohol can produce flushing (reddening of the skin) and cause the blood vessels to open. Scientists believe that genetic factors are more likely to cause rhinophyma than drinking alcohol, but alcohol may contribute to the condition. Can People Prevent and Treat Rhinophyma? Scientists believe that genetic factors as well as age and exposure to ultraviolet (UV light) may contribute to rosacea and rhinophyma. “They also found correlations with [rosacea and] body mass index (BMI), smoking, alcohol consumption, cardiovascular issues and skin cancer,” according to the National Rosacea Society. People may be unable to affect their genetic disposition for developing the conditions. But they may be able to influence environmental factors to prevent the conditions or stop them from becoming worse. Some of these preventative tactics include:
Just as there isn’t one contributing factor to rosacea and rhinophyma, there isn’t one way to treat rhinophyma and rosacea. Treatments for rhinophyma include:
Regardless of why people have rhinophyma or how they treat it, rhinophyma is a complex condition. Researchers don’t exactly know what causes it, so assuming that people with rhinophyma also abuse alcohol is wrong. It’s also dangerous, because such assumptions may stigmatize people. But, rhinophyma is a medical condition. So is alcohol addiction. Thank you Charles for the article.
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About MeJust a man who came over numerous addictions. I tend to write more about that as time goes a long with this blog. |