What is an Alcoholic Nose?

If you abuse alcohol, you are not alone. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), 28.9 million people suffered from alcohol addiction in the past year.[1]

When you think of the consequences of alcoholism, you probably imagine financial trouble, getting fired from your job, and health issues like liver damage. While these are all potential problems your alcohol abuse could lead to, there are other risks to be aware of. One lesser-known consequence of alcoholism is called “alcohol nose.”

Alcoholic nose or whiskey nose is a chronic skin condition that causes rosacea symptoms. Your blood vessels dilate, causing the skin on your nose to appear red. Your nose can also become disfigured, having a bulbous shape. Alcohol nose usually refers to the end stage of rosacea, which is called rhinophyma.

While an alcohol nose is distressing, it is possible to recover from it. Quitting alcohol is the first step, along with topical creams, prioritizing sun protection, and using mild soaps to clean your face gently. That said, you must quit your alcohol misuse to prevent an alcoholic nose from returning.

In this article, you will learn:

What is an Alcoholic Nose or Whiskey Nose?

Alcoholic nose refers to a bulbous and red nose that people associate with heavy alcohol consumption. In reality, alcohol simply triggers rosacea flare-ups. If you are not susceptible to rosacea in the first place, you probably won’t develop the condition.

The redness occurs because of enlarged blood vessels in the nose. The dilation of these blood vessels causes the skin on your nose to appear red. Sometimes, dilated blood vessels can look like spider veins on your nose as well.

In addition to redness, a drinker’s nose can cause these other rosacea symptoms:[2]

• Eye irritation
• Rash
• Enlarged pores
• Thickened skin on the nose

Alcoholic nose is usually referring to the end stage of a rosacea flare-up, which is called rhinophyma. Because this stage is characterized by progressive dilation of nasal blood vessels, cysts, and pustules, the nose can become disfigured. People can develop a bulbous nose that appears red or purple.

If you have a purple nose and engage in heavy alcohol consumption, your drinking could be the factor that is triggering rosacea. Seeking help for your alcohol use disorder could lessen the symptoms you are experiencing, bringing your purple nose back to normal.

What Causes a Bulbous Nose (Drinker’s Nose)?

Before we discuss how to treat an alcoholic nose, it’s important to understand what causes it. Despite common misconceptions, rosacea is not caused by alcohol. That said, drinking can trigger a flare-up of rosacea, which means if you are already susceptible to this condition, drinking alcohol could cause your symptoms to begin.

There are a variety of other factors to consider, including age, genetics, skin tone, and family history of rosacea. If your parents have rosacea, you are more likely to develop it as well. If you drink alcohol, the substance could trigger underlying symptoms to begin affecting you.

Even if you do not have rosacea, alcohol is known to cause flushing of the skin. When you consider this, it’s easy to see how drinking alcohol could lead to a rosacea flare-up among those who are susceptible.

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How is Alcoholic Nose (Rhinophyma) Treated?

If you drink alcohol and have an alcoholic nose, it’s time to seek professional help. Your first step should be obtaining treatment for your alcohol use disorder. If the alcohol was triggering your alcoholic nose (rhinophyma), then treating the disorder will manage your symptoms.

While rosacea does not have a cure, there are ways to manage the symptoms naturally. You could:

• Use topical creams and ointments to reduce thickening of the skin and calm the appearance of broken blood vessels
• Prioritize sun protection
• Clean your face using mild soaps to avoid irritation
• Learn your triggers (like eating spicy food or drinking alcohol) and avoid them

While alcohol is a trigger for rosacea, there are other triggers to be aware of. For example, experiencing intense emotions, heavy exercise, eating spicy foods, environmental factors like excessive exposure to sunlight or extreme temperatures, and using scented soaps or lotion could lead to thickening of the skin and broken blood vessels from rosacea.

If you are trying to overcome a skin condition like rosacea, you should see a dermatologist. They can help you treat skin conditions and teach you natural ways to manage your symptoms. Oral antibiotics can be used if you have any infected cysts or pustules from acne, rosacea, or sun exposure.

Severe cases of rosacea might require surgical treatments. When topical medications do not lessen thickened skin, you might need surgical treatment like laser therapy. Medical professionals will remove excess tissue using laser therapy, lessening the symptoms of rosacea and rhinophyma. To ensure proper healing, you need to avoid misusing alcohol to reduce inflammation and facial redness.

Other Signs You Need Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Alcohol can make rosacea worse. If you engage in excessive alcohol use, you might need professional help. While having a red nose or swollen nose can be a sign that you are drinking too much, there are other symptoms to look out for.

The main signs that indicate you have an alcohol use disorder include:

• Having a hard time controlling how much alcohol you use
• Drinking more or longer than you intended to
• Wanting to quit drinking but being unsuccessful
• Spending a lot of time obtaining or recovering from alcohol use
• Experiencing intense urges and cravings to use alcohol
• Losing interest in previously enjoyed activities
• Continuing to use alcohol even though it is causing relationship issues or physical and mental health problems
• Using alcohol in risky situations, such as while driving
• Needing to increase the amount of alcohol you drink to experience the desired effect
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you stop using alcohol

If you notice two or more of the above-mentioned symptoms, you are struggling with heavy drinking and need professional alcoholism treatment. Over time, heavy drinking can lead to extreme health concerns, including rosacea, liver damage, alcohol poisoning, and more.

Get Connected to Professional Help for Alcoholism and Alcohol Nose

If you are interested in attending addiction treatment, you’ve come to the right place. Severe cases of rosacea can be triggered by heavy alcohol abuse. This level of alcohol consumption can lead to a purple tint on the skin of your nose, oily skin, nose growth, and clogged sebaceous glands. Thankfully, stopping your alcohol consumption can lessen these symptoms and make your rosacea manageable.

At Alamo Behavioral Health, we can help you recover from addiction using evidence-based and individualized treatment. Contact us today for more information on how alcohol worsens rosacea and how we can help you recover.

References:

1. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA): Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in the United States: Age Groups and Demographic Characteristics
2. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS): Rosacea Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment