Thick, bumpy skin on the nose can be signs of rhinophyma. This skin condition is related to rosacea, and it can be disfiguring to the nose and face appearance. If you have rhinophyma, there are treatments and cosmetic procedures to improve your comfort and appearance. At pēkomd® cosmetic surgery center, we offer rhinophyma treatment and nose reshaping at our clinic in Toledo, OH.
What Causes Rhinophyma?
Once thought to be a symptom of overindulging in alcohol, rhinophyma is a subtype of rosacea that is not related to alcohol use. Many people with rhinophyma also have rosacea, but it can occur in those without rosacea as well. The exact cause of rhinophyma is not known, but those who are at higher risk are men ages 50-70, fair-skinned, a family history of rosacea and Caucasian (Irish, English, Scottish and Eastern European primarily).
Symptoms of Rhinophyma
Rhinophyma primarily affects the skin on the nose, but it can appear in other areas. The skin becomes thicker and the oil glands in the skin are enlarged. The other symptoms include:
- Larger and more pronounced pores
- Reddish skin on and around the nose
- Rough, waxy skin on the nose
- A bulbous, swollen nose appearance
Over time, rhinophyma can be disfiguring. Some patients experience extreme bulges on the nose that are unattractive and uncomfortable. Treatment can improve the skin condition, but some patients may require surgery to remove thickened skin and reshape the nose.
Resolving rhinophyma is difficult. There are topical and oral medications, but many times they are minimally effective and do not restore the nose appearance. Surgery and minimally-invasive skin removal procedures can be the best option to remove the inflamed skin and restore a more natural appearance to the nose. Surgical nose reshaping, laser treatments, dermabrasion and other techniques can be used for rhinophyma treatment.
If you have symptoms of rhinophyma, treatment can give you relief and restore a more attractive appearance to the nose. To learn more about rhinophyma nose reshaping, contact us at pēkomd®. Call our cosmetic surgery center in Toledo, OH, to schedule a rhinophyma consultation with our plastic surgeon, Dr. Peter Koltz.
