Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesFacial RednessTreatmentMoisturizersFAQs
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Facial Redness
Treatment
Moisturizers
FAQs
Redness of the nose can affect anyone. Some people are more likely to develop a red nose, such as those who regularly drink alcohol in excess. Many other health conditions and disorders, includingrosaceaandperioral dermatitis, can also lead to a red nose.
This article discusses the possible causes of a red nose and what you can do to manage it.
Guido Mieth / Getty Images
What Causes Red Nose?
Many things can cause a red nose. Some common causes include:
Flushing and Nose Redness
Redness in Other Facial Parts
The causes of nose redness can also often lead to redness in other parts of the face. For example, lupus is highly associated with a butterfly-type rashthat extends from cheek to cheek across the nose.
An allergic reaction can also cause redness across the entire face, depending on how a person responds to it and the type of reaction it is. For example, say a person uses a new moisturizing lotion and they’reallergicto it. The red rash accompanying allergies is likely to occur everywhere the lotion was applied, not just the nose area.
Face Redness and Your HealthWhile many causes offacial rednessare nothing to be too concerned about, they can point to an existing underlying health disorder. Therefore, your healthcare provider should examine a chronically red face.
Face Redness and Your Health
While many causes offacial rednessare nothing to be too concerned about, they can point to an existing underlying health disorder. Therefore, your healthcare provider should examine a chronically red face.
Treatment By Cause
Treating a red nose is done based on what is causing it to occur. Treatment options include:
Weather-Related
A weather-related red nose could remedy itself after you remove yourself from the type of weather exposure that causes it. For example, if you are out in the cold for some time, your nose may become red because of the cold and wind.
After being inside in the warmth and out of the wind, the redness in the nose will clear up. You can also moisturize the area with unscented products if there is a lingering cold or windburn.
Sunburn on the nose will also usually clear up on its own. In the meantime, for a sunburn, you can apply a soothing lotion or gel such as aloe vera to the area to help speed up the healing process.
RecapWeather-related redness on the nose will typically clear up on its own, but you can use soothing gels or moisturizers to help ease irritation.
Recap
Weather-related redness on the nose will typically clear up on its own, but you can use soothing gels or moisturizers to help ease irritation.
Allergies
Allergies are treated in several ways. If you have come into contact with an allergen that causes your nose to turn red, simply removing the allergen can help to clear it up.
In some cases, you may want to takeantihistaminesthat can help reduce arunny noseand, thus, the need to blow or wipe your nose often.
Rosacea
There is no cure for rosacea, so it will not go away on its own. However, specific treatment options are available to you that can reduce flare-ups and redness. Some therapies include:
The type of rosacea a person has determines the treatment they need.Topical creams or ointments using antibiotics(metronidazole) and azelaic acid are used alone or as part of a combinational therapy approach before starting other treatments. Topicals should be applied for six weeks before moving to another therapy.
Oral drugs designed to constrict blood flow through the blood vessels may be used along with adrenergic antagonists, which increase blood pressure. They are only used in special circumstances and are very low-dose.
Avoiding TriggersPeople with rosacea tend to have flare-ups where the redness worsens. To help limit these occurrences, people can avoid any triggers such as extreme temperatures, exposure to UV light, spicy food, stress, and alcohol.
Avoiding Triggers
People with rosacea tend to have flare-ups where the redness worsens. To help limit these occurrences, people can avoid any triggers such as extreme temperatures, exposure to UV light, spicy food, stress, and alcohol.
Perioral Dermatitis
Antibiotics can be given to help treat the condition, as can specific lifestyle changes, such as switching the more mild facial cleansers.
How to Choose a Soap to Wash Your Face
Excessive Alcohol Consumption
Some people may have to take oral antibiotics. However, the most severe cases require an appointment with a specialist. They will determine if more drastic measures must be taken to treat alcohol-induced redness.
Alcohol Nose and Surgery
Nasal Vestibulitis
Since nasal vestibulitis is abacterial infection, it is treated using topical antibiotics. If the cream or lotion antibiotics do not work, a person may be required to have a course of oral antibiotics instead.
A warm compress can help ease any irritation in the area while it is being treated.
Lupus
Lupus is a chronic, lifelong disease. There is currently no cure, but there are treatment options that can effectively manage symptoms. Treatment options for lupus include:
Can Alternative Therapy Work for Lupus?Research is lacking regarding alternative therapies for Lupus. That said, some supplements such as vitamin D, turmeric, and omega-3 fatty acids may reduce disease activity in people with the condition.
Can Alternative Therapy Work for Lupus?
Research is lacking regarding alternative therapies for Lupus. That said, some supplements such as vitamin D, turmeric, and omega-3 fatty acids may reduce disease activity in people with the condition.
Emotions
The best thing to combat that is to practicestress management techniquessuch as exercise, yoga, meditation, and participating in calming activities you enjoy.
Acne
Some OTC therapies can help treat acne around the nose, such assalicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or topical retinoids. Sometimes, a topical antibiotic may be used alongside benzoyl peroxide or retinoids.
A medication known as Isotretinoin may be used for severe acne, but it is reserved for the most serious cases and only after people have tried other products to treat their skin.
When to Seek Medical AttentionA red nose isn’t always a cause for concern and can be treated relatively easily. Since some redness or rashes that occur on the nose require treatment or indicate another disease, you must see your healthcare provider if:You develop a rash shaped like a butterfly on your faceThe skin on your nose begins to peel, crack, ooze, or bleedItchiness or redness doesn’t go away
When to Seek Medical Attention
A red nose isn’t always a cause for concern and can be treated relatively easily. Since some redness or rashes that occur on the nose require treatment or indicate another disease, you must see your healthcare provider if:You develop a rash shaped like a butterfly on your faceThe skin on your nose begins to peel, crack, ooze, or bleedItchiness or redness doesn’t go away
A red nose isn’t always a cause for concern and can be treated relatively easily. Since some redness or rashes that occur on the nose require treatment or indicate another disease, you must see your healthcare provider if:
Best Moisturizers for Red Nose
The best moisturizers for your red nose depend on what is causing it. Generally speaking, if you want to choose a good moisturizer, your best bet is to go for fragrance-free moisturizers that contain calming ingredients such as aloe.
The 9 Best Moisturizers for Rosacea, Tested and Approved
Summary
Many different things can cause a red nose. For example, your nose could turn red from something as simple as weather exposure, but it could also be a sign of an underlying health condition such as lupus.
Treating your red nose will depend entirely on what is causing it. That is why you see a dermatologist if you experience a red nose with other symptoms, such as itchiness, peeling, bleeding, or skin breakage. They will diagnose your condition and provide you with proper treatment.
In the meantime, moisturizers containing soothing agents such as calamine or aloe can help soothe irritation.
Frequently Asked Questions
While your nose won’t typically get red as you age, it can if you develop a skin condition known as rosacea. Rosacea causes a red rash on the face that can worsen and then improve sporadically with treatment. Some people notice their nose reddening with age because they have undiagnosed rosacea, and the condition typically develops after a person hits middle age.Learn MoreRosacea: Causes and Risk Factors
While your nose won’t typically get red as you age, it can if you develop a skin condition known as rosacea. Rosacea causes a red rash on the face that can worsen and then improve sporadically with treatment. Some people notice their nose reddening with age because they have undiagnosed rosacea, and the condition typically develops after a person hits middle age.
Learn MoreRosacea: Causes and Risk Factors
Learn MoreHypertension (High Blood Pressure): Overview and More
Make-up can contain ingredients that irritate the skin. If a person has sensitive skin or is allergic to any of those ingredients, their face can turn red. Typically, the redness goes away when they stop using the product.
A red nose isn’t always a chronic symptom, but it can be in some. People with lupus, for example, often develop a butterfly-shaped red rash that stretches across both cheeks and their noses. Since lupus is a chronic disease, a red nose can be a chronic symptom of that disease.Learn MoreLupus Rash on Black Skin: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
A red nose isn’t always a chronic symptom, but it can be in some. People with lupus, for example, often develop a butterfly-shaped red rash that stretches across both cheeks and their noses. Since lupus is a chronic disease, a red nose can be a chronic symptom of that disease.
Learn MoreLupus Rash on Black Skin: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
16 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.The Skin Institute.How to get rid of your winter red nose.Mikkelsen CS, Holmgren HR, Kjellman P, et al.Rosacea: a clinical review.Dermatol Reports.2016;8(1):6387. doi:10.4081/dr.2016.6387Charnowski S, Wollenberg A, Reinholz M.Perioral dermatitis successfully treated with topical ivermectin.Ann Dermatol.2019;31(Suppl):S27-S28. doi:10.5021/ad.2019.31.S.S27Liu A, Al-Lami A, Kapoor K.Rhinophyma: when red nose day is no laughing matter.Br J Gen Pract.2019;69(680):137. doi:10.3399/bjgp19X701585Lipschitz N, Yakirevitch A, Sagiv D, et al.Nasal vestibulitis: etiology, risk factors, and clinical characteristics: a retrospective study of 118 cases.Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis.2017;89(2):131-134. doi:10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2017.06.007Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Lupus symptoms.Kumar RR, Jha S, Dhooria A, Dhir V.Butterfly rash: hallmark of lupus.QJM.2019;112(11):877. doi:10.1093/qjmed/hcz091Emeryk A, Emeryk-Maksymiuk J, Janeczek K.New guidelines for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis.Postepy Dermatol Alergol.2019;36(3):255-260. doi:10.5114/ada.2018.75749Zhang H, Tang K, Wang Y, Fang R, Sun Q.Rosacea treatment: Review and update.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb).2021;11(1):13-24. doi:10.1007/s13555-020-00461-0Rivero AL, Whitfeld M.An update on the treatment of rosacea.Aust Prescr.2018;41(1):20-24. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2018.004American Academy of Dermatology Association.Red rash around your mouth could be perioral dermatitis.Mohamed-Yassin MS, Mohamad-Isa MZ, Baharudin N.A red and swollen nose.Malays Fam Physician.2020;15(1):61-63.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diagnosing and treating lupus.Greco CM, Nakajima C, Manzi S.Updated review of complementary and alternative medicine treatments for systemic lupus erythematosus.Curr Rheumatol Rep.2013;15(11):378. doi:10.1007/s11926-013-0378-3Oge' LK, Broussard A, Marshall MD.Acne vulgaris: diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician.2019;100(8):475-484.National Jewish Health.Hypertension: symptoms.
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.The Skin Institute.How to get rid of your winter red nose.Mikkelsen CS, Holmgren HR, Kjellman P, et al.Rosacea: a clinical review.Dermatol Reports.2016;8(1):6387. doi:10.4081/dr.2016.6387Charnowski S, Wollenberg A, Reinholz M.Perioral dermatitis successfully treated with topical ivermectin.Ann Dermatol.2019;31(Suppl):S27-S28. doi:10.5021/ad.2019.31.S.S27Liu A, Al-Lami A, Kapoor K.Rhinophyma: when red nose day is no laughing matter.Br J Gen Pract.2019;69(680):137. doi:10.3399/bjgp19X701585Lipschitz N, Yakirevitch A, Sagiv D, et al.Nasal vestibulitis: etiology, risk factors, and clinical characteristics: a retrospective study of 118 cases.Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis.2017;89(2):131-134. doi:10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2017.06.007Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Lupus symptoms.Kumar RR, Jha S, Dhooria A, Dhir V.Butterfly rash: hallmark of lupus.QJM.2019;112(11):877. doi:10.1093/qjmed/hcz091Emeryk A, Emeryk-Maksymiuk J, Janeczek K.New guidelines for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis.Postepy Dermatol Alergol.2019;36(3):255-260. doi:10.5114/ada.2018.75749Zhang H, Tang K, Wang Y, Fang R, Sun Q.Rosacea treatment: Review and update.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb).2021;11(1):13-24. doi:10.1007/s13555-020-00461-0Rivero AL, Whitfeld M.An update on the treatment of rosacea.Aust Prescr.2018;41(1):20-24. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2018.004American Academy of Dermatology Association.Red rash around your mouth could be perioral dermatitis.Mohamed-Yassin MS, Mohamad-Isa MZ, Baharudin N.A red and swollen nose.Malays Fam Physician.2020;15(1):61-63.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diagnosing and treating lupus.Greco CM, Nakajima C, Manzi S.Updated review of complementary and alternative medicine treatments for systemic lupus erythematosus.Curr Rheumatol Rep.2013;15(11):378. doi:10.1007/s11926-013-0378-3Oge' LK, Broussard A, Marshall MD.Acne vulgaris: diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician.2019;100(8):475-484.National Jewish Health.Hypertension: symptoms.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
The Skin Institute.How to get rid of your winter red nose.Mikkelsen CS, Holmgren HR, Kjellman P, et al.Rosacea: a clinical review.Dermatol Reports.2016;8(1):6387. doi:10.4081/dr.2016.6387Charnowski S, Wollenberg A, Reinholz M.Perioral dermatitis successfully treated with topical ivermectin.Ann Dermatol.2019;31(Suppl):S27-S28. doi:10.5021/ad.2019.31.S.S27Liu A, Al-Lami A, Kapoor K.Rhinophyma: when red nose day is no laughing matter.Br J Gen Pract.2019;69(680):137. doi:10.3399/bjgp19X701585Lipschitz N, Yakirevitch A, Sagiv D, et al.Nasal vestibulitis: etiology, risk factors, and clinical characteristics: a retrospective study of 118 cases.Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis.2017;89(2):131-134. doi:10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2017.06.007Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Lupus symptoms.Kumar RR, Jha S, Dhooria A, Dhir V.Butterfly rash: hallmark of lupus.QJM.2019;112(11):877. doi:10.1093/qjmed/hcz091Emeryk A, Emeryk-Maksymiuk J, Janeczek K.New guidelines for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis.Postepy Dermatol Alergol.2019;36(3):255-260. doi:10.5114/ada.2018.75749Zhang H, Tang K, Wang Y, Fang R, Sun Q.Rosacea treatment: Review and update.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb).2021;11(1):13-24. doi:10.1007/s13555-020-00461-0Rivero AL, Whitfeld M.An update on the treatment of rosacea.Aust Prescr.2018;41(1):20-24. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2018.004American Academy of Dermatology Association.Red rash around your mouth could be perioral dermatitis.Mohamed-Yassin MS, Mohamad-Isa MZ, Baharudin N.A red and swollen nose.Malays Fam Physician.2020;15(1):61-63.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diagnosing and treating lupus.Greco CM, Nakajima C, Manzi S.Updated review of complementary and alternative medicine treatments for systemic lupus erythematosus.Curr Rheumatol Rep.2013;15(11):378. doi:10.1007/s11926-013-0378-3Oge' LK, Broussard A, Marshall MD.Acne vulgaris: diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician.2019;100(8):475-484.National Jewish Health.Hypertension: symptoms.
The Skin Institute.How to get rid of your winter red nose.
Mikkelsen CS, Holmgren HR, Kjellman P, et al.Rosacea: a clinical review.Dermatol Reports.2016;8(1):6387. doi:10.4081/dr.2016.6387
Charnowski S, Wollenberg A, Reinholz M.Perioral dermatitis successfully treated with topical ivermectin.Ann Dermatol.2019;31(Suppl):S27-S28. doi:10.5021/ad.2019.31.S.S27
Liu A, Al-Lami A, Kapoor K.Rhinophyma: when red nose day is no laughing matter.Br J Gen Pract.2019;69(680):137. doi:10.3399/bjgp19X701585
Lipschitz N, Yakirevitch A, Sagiv D, et al.Nasal vestibulitis: etiology, risk factors, and clinical characteristics: a retrospective study of 118 cases.Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis.2017;89(2):131-134. doi:10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2017.06.007
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Lupus symptoms.
Kumar RR, Jha S, Dhooria A, Dhir V.Butterfly rash: hallmark of lupus.QJM.2019;112(11):877. doi:10.1093/qjmed/hcz091
Emeryk A, Emeryk-Maksymiuk J, Janeczek K.New guidelines for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis.Postepy Dermatol Alergol.2019;36(3):255-260. doi:10.5114/ada.2018.75749
Zhang H, Tang K, Wang Y, Fang R, Sun Q.Rosacea treatment: Review and update.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb).2021;11(1):13-24. doi:10.1007/s13555-020-00461-0
Rivero AL, Whitfeld M.An update on the treatment of rosacea.Aust Prescr.2018;41(1):20-24. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2018.004
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Red rash around your mouth could be perioral dermatitis.
Mohamed-Yassin MS, Mohamad-Isa MZ, Baharudin N.A red and swollen nose.Malays Fam Physician.2020;15(1):61-63.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diagnosing and treating lupus.
Greco CM, Nakajima C, Manzi S.Updated review of complementary and alternative medicine treatments for systemic lupus erythematosus.Curr Rheumatol Rep.2013;15(11):378. doi:10.1007/s11926-013-0378-3
Oge' LK, Broussard A, Marshall MD.Acne vulgaris: diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician.2019;100(8):475-484.
National Jewish Health.Hypertension: symptoms.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
