Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSurgeryMedicationLifestyleFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Surgery
Medication
Lifestyle
Frequently Asked Questions
Rhinophyma is a skin condition that causes a large red, bulbous nose. It’s a severe form ofrosacea, a chronic skin condition that causes redness and bumps on the face. Treatment is important because rhinophyma can cause breathing trouble when the airways become blocked. The main treatment for rhinophyma is surgery, and there are a few different options available. Oral treatments and lifestyle changes can also help control the condition.
This article will cover treatments for rhinophyma, including the types of surgery for rhinophyma and what to expect from rhinophyma surgery. It will also cover the medication and lifestyle changes that may help prevent rhinophyma from getting worse.
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Surgical Treatments
There are three main surgical techniques used to treat rhinophyma:
In rare cases, people with severe rhinophyma might needskin graftsto reconstruct their noses.
Your healthcare provider might suggest combining more than one technique to get the best results from rhinophyma surgery.They will help you understand the surgical options and decide which is right for you.
What to Expect From Rhinophyma Surgery
You’ll notice some changes immediately—for example, in the shape and size of your nose. It takes about two weeks for the initial stages of healing to take place. Then, it will be about two more months until all the tissue heals and you will be able to see the final shape of your nose.
For most people, one surgery is enough to correct rhinophyma, but people with severe cases might need to have a second surgery.
Prescription Medicines
Although surgery is the main treatment for rhinophyma, some prescription acne medications can help treat the condition.Research has shown thatisotretinoin, a cystic acne medication, can keep rhinophyma from getting worse—especially if it is started when symptoms first appear.
Researchers are also looking attamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator that’s used to treat breast cancer, as a possible treatment for rhinophyma.
There are othertreatments for rosacea, including anti-inflammatories and antibiotics, but none of them work for rhinophyma.
Lifestyle Changes
There are no lifestyle changes that have been proven to treat rhinophyma. However, you might want to make some lifestyle changes that can help with rosacea, such as:
Summary
Rhinophyma is a severe form of rosacea. It causes the nose to become large, red, and bulbous in appearance. Surgery is the most common and effective treatment. If you notice the symptoms of rhinophyma, taking prescription acne medication early and making lifestyle changes that help with rosacea can be beneficial for managing the condition.
A Word From Verywell
Rhinophyma can cause dramatic changes in the appearance of your face. These changes can affect your self-esteem and emotional well-being. Physically, rhinophyma can affect your breathing and nasal function. If you notice symptoms of rhinophyma, talk to your healthcare provider. They can go over your options for treatment.
The most common treatment for rhinophyma is surgery. You can discuss the option with your healthcare provider and find out what to expect from the surgery and recovery.
Yes, rhinophyma can recur. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risk for recurrence.
5 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.National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus.Rhinophyma.UT Southwestern Medical Center.Rhinophyma.Chang DK, Savetsky IL, Avashia YJ, et al.A Safe, Modern Treatment of Rhinophyma.Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open. 2020;8(6):e2620. doi:10.1097/gox.0000000000002620Northwestern Facial Plastic Surgery.Rhinophyma.Guttman Krader C.Rhinophyma Treatment, Prevention Strategies.
5 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.National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus.Rhinophyma.UT Southwestern Medical Center.Rhinophyma.Chang DK, Savetsky IL, Avashia YJ, et al.A Safe, Modern Treatment of Rhinophyma.Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open. 2020;8(6):e2620. doi:10.1097/gox.0000000000002620Northwestern Facial Plastic Surgery.Rhinophyma.Guttman Krader C.Rhinophyma Treatment, Prevention Strategies.
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.
National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus.Rhinophyma.UT Southwestern Medical Center.Rhinophyma.Chang DK, Savetsky IL, Avashia YJ, et al.A Safe, Modern Treatment of Rhinophyma.Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open. 2020;8(6):e2620. doi:10.1097/gox.0000000000002620Northwestern Facial Plastic Surgery.Rhinophyma.Guttman Krader C.Rhinophyma Treatment, Prevention Strategies.
National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus.Rhinophyma.
UT Southwestern Medical Center.Rhinophyma.
Chang DK, Savetsky IL, Avashia YJ, et al.A Safe, Modern Treatment of Rhinophyma.Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open. 2020;8(6):e2620. doi:10.1097/gox.0000000000002620
Northwestern Facial Plastic Surgery.Rhinophyma.
Guttman Krader C.Rhinophyma Treatment, Prevention Strategies.
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