If you have ever heard someone refer to a person’s nose as an “alcoholic nose” or “drinker’s nose”, they were likely talking about a skin condition called rhinophyma that can make a person’s nose and face look red and bumpy.
People who have this medical condition usually have a red nose that is swollen and bumpy, and which probably looks worse during a period of heavy drinking and chronic alcohol use.
But while alcohol can make a person’s skin look worse, it is important to understand that rhinophyma is actually a side effect of rosacea and that alcohol use or alcohol addiction are not direct causes of “drinker’s nose”.
Fortunately, rhinophyma is relatively rare and also very treatable, and people who are living with this condition have several options, including lifestyle changes, to help them feel more confident about their appearance.