Rhinophyma is a progressive skin condition that sometimes affects those with rosacea. When rosacea develops, sometimes the nose becomes swollen and red, gaining a bumpy surface that changes the nose's shape. The swelling is known as rhinophyma which can appear as the formation of scar-like tissue that may increase over time. Sometimes, rhinophyma can appear on other parts of the face such as the ears and chin, though this is rarer. Rhinophyma usually only develops in those who have rosacea which has been active and untreated for many years. Rhinophyma mainly affects fair-skinned men aged 50 to 70 years. What is rhinophyma? rhinophyma is a skin disorder characterized by a large, red, bumpy or bulbous nose. It can occur as part of phymatous rosacea. The exact cause of rhinophyma is unknown, but it’s considered a subtype of severe rosacea. This condition is significantly more common in men, especially between the ages of 50 to 70 years. Overall, rosacea is a common, chronic inflammatory skin condition. It causes irregular redness or flushing of your face, particularly in the cheeks or nasal areas. Small, red bumps filled with pus, called pustules, may appear on your face as part of this condition.
Rhinophyma is characterised by prominent pores and a fibrous thickening of the nose, sometimes with papules. It is associated with the common skin condition rosacea and it can be classified clinically into 5 grades of increasing severity. Complications[ edit ] tissue thickening may come to cause airway obstruction and impede breathing. Rhinophyma can cause psychological distress due to its effect on one's personal appearance, as well as social perception of a link with alcoholism. Causes[ edit ] rhinophyma develops in certain individuals with an unknown predisposition from long-standing rosacea which has progressed to a severe form. Although rhinophyma has been commonly presumed to be linked to alcoholism, a direct causal relationship between the condition and excessive alcohol consumption has not been substantiated. Chapter 7: rosacea and related disorders. Bologna dermatology 3rd edition. Rohrich rj, griffin md, adams wp. Rhinophyma: review and update. Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Vol. 110, no. 3. Pubmed chapter 43. 9: rhinophyma and other phymas. Rook’s dermatology 8th edition. Tanghetti e, del rosso jq, thiboutot d, gallo r, webster g, eichenfield lf, stein-gold l, berson d, zaenglein a. Consensus recommendations from the american acne and rosacea society on the management of rosacea, part 4: a status report on physical