Rhinophyma is a skin disorder that causes the nose to enlarge and become red, bumpy, and bulbous. It is thought to result from untreated, severe rosacea, a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes facial redness on the nose and cheeks.
Symptoms of Rhinophyma
Enlarged pores on your skin. Skin turning a reddish color. Skin growing thicker The surface appearing waxy, rough, and even yellowish in color
While there are no treatments that can completely reverse rhinophyma, medications and surgery can lessen the condition if caught in time. The longer rhinophyma goes without treatment, the more likely the condition will become permanent.
The cause of rhinophyma is unknown. It may be a severe form of a skin disease called rosacea. It is an uncommon disorder.
Advanced rhinophyma treatment requires surgical measures to remove tissue. The principal aim of surgery is to reduce the hypertrophied sebaceous glands and re-contour the nose. Secondarily, techniques are used to promote re-epithelialization of the nose.
Rhinophyma typically afflicts white males between the age of 40 and 60 years, and is more common in men with English or Irish descent.
Topical metronidazole 0.75% is a common first-line option. Azelaic acid 15% gel is an alternative, especially in those with more inflammatory rosacea.
The accumulation of seborrheic secretion in the wide pores and between the lobules is common and is associated with unpleasant (fetid) smell. The microscopic investigation of preparations from patients with rhinophyma shows two main groups of changes, based on the disease stage.
A small study in Korea reported that it took an average of 8.2 years for rhinophyma to progress from its onset to its severest form. Not only can rhinophyma cause the nose to become deformed, but it can obstruct the nasal passage, leading to difficulty in breathing.
Will the skin grow back? There is a possibility that even after the procedure rhinophyma can return. The best way to prevent rhinophyma is to speak with a dermatologist and develop a good treatment regimen to treat rosacea.
The first line of treatment tends to be medication. A dermatologist will typically prescribe antibiotics, both oral and topical, to treat the rosacea that causes rhinophyma. Antibiotics may lower inflammation or reduce redness in the area.
Oral isotretinoin is often the first option for rhinophyma treatment. It's more likely to be beneficial if the rhinophyma is in its early stages and if symptoms aren't severe. The primary goal is to treat the underlying rosacea. Topical or oral antibiotics may reduce inflammation and redness in the area.
Generally, rhinophyma will not come back after surgery. However, there is a slight chance that it could redevelop in some cases. Rhinophyma is a condition that causes the skin on the nose to become enlarged and red. It is most commonly seen in men who are middle-aged or older.
Rhinophyma commonly affects males and has a peak presentation at the age of 50+. It can have a physical, psychological and social impact on the individual. Physical symptoms can include difficulty breathing, snoring and, in extreme cases, distortion of inferior vision.
Several conditions may cause a bad smell in the nose, including sinusitis, tooth/ mouth infections, dry mouth, some medications, some foods/drinks, and olfactory damage. Typically, a bad smell in the nose is not life-threatening but can decrease the quality of life.
Clinically, rhinophyma is characterized by the aberrant development of the vascularization of the skin of the nose. The nose becomes particularly sensitive, and even a minimal external trauma can cause bleeding.
Laser resurfacing is an emerging treatment modality that offers hope for patients with severe rhinophyma. We present a case of rhinophyma treated via fractionated carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with impressive results, excellent tolerability, and minimal downtime.
In milder forms of rhinophyma, a partially ablative (fractionated) mode of the laser can be used to drills millions of tiny columns in the skin and reduce bulk. Regardless of the mode used, the CO2RE is a comfortable laser procedure with a high satisfaction rate.
There's currently no cure for rosacea, but treatment can help control the symptoms. Long-term treatment is usually necessary, although there may be periods when your symptoms improve and you can stop treatment temporarily.
Type 1 – vascular rosacea: Red areas of skin on the face, sometimes small blood vessels are visible. Type 2 – inflammatory rosacea: As well as facial redness, there are red bumps (papules) and pus-filled spots (pustules). Type 3 – phymatous rosacea: The skin thickens and may become bumpy, particularly on the nose.
Rhinophyma Surgery Recovery
The recovery from rhinophyma surgery typically takes three months or possibly longer. Some patients may need more than one treatment and that extends the healing period. Upon your surgery, your surgeon will require you to take certain medications to prevent infection and manage discomfort.
Rhinophyma usually develops in more severe cases of rosacea. Its signs and symptoms can occur in cycles and become worse if left untreated.
Rhinophyma results in enlarged blood vessels, inflammation, chronic swelling, and an increase in the number of sebaceous glands in the skin of the nose. This is what leads to the reddened, thickened, and bulbous appearance of the nose.
Is rhinoplasty painful? Not for most people. One day after surgery, most people rate their pain between 0 and 4 out of 10.
Symptoms of rosacea on the nose are not always rhinophyma. Rosacea can result in rhinophyma, but again, it's rare. Even when people experience mild rosacea symptoms on the nose, it does not mean it will progress to rhinophyma. Rosacea is most common in middle-aged white women.