Rhinophyma

RHINOPHYMA

Rhinophyma. The skin condition known as rhinophyma results in an enlarged nose. Broken blood vessels and lumpy, thicker skin are some more signs. Males are far more likely than females to have the illness, which often manifests between the ages of 50 and 70. Although the exact origin is unknown, researchers are aware that acne rosacea, which is characterized by inflammatory pimple outbreaks, is the precursor.

RHINOPHYMA

The skin covering the nose gets bigger and the tip of the nose enlarges when acne rosacea develops into rhinophyma. A diagnosis is based on this distinctive appearance. Medication is used in the early phases of treatment, whereas surgery is used in the later stages. This is due to the possibility of airway obstruction from impacted tissue.

Symptoms

The first symptom of rosacea is frequently excessive facial flushing. If rhinophyma develops, a person could have:
thicker skin on the face, including the nose
enlargement of the nose tip
increased pores and a rough texture in some facial regions
greasy skin
At this stage, the illness could block the airways. Additionally, because the sebaceous gland fluid thickens and can harbor bacteria, persistent infections frequently ensue.
Progressive deformity may be the outcome of changes in connective tissue and an increase in sebaceous glands over time.

Treatment

Treatments without surgery
Results from a reliable source indicate that some drugs are beneficial. Topical metronidazole, a medication that lowers skin irritation by preventing the production of reactive oxygen species, is one choice.
Isotretinoin, a medication that reduces the size of the sebaceous glands and thus the amount of oil they produce, is an additional choice. However, a person must stop using this medicine if they want surgery.

Surgery
this is necessary to remove the damaged tissue from advanced rhinophyma. The following five-step, safe surgical method for rhinophyma is described in a study:
Dermabrasion: To make the next procedures easier, the skin is resurfaced using a motorized instrument.
Dermaplaning is the process of eliminating afflicted tissue without making any cuts to it. The skin’s surface is prepped for the third stage by dermaplaning.
Debulking: The thicker skin is sliced away by the surgeon using curved scissors. Additionally, they collect samples from any potentially cancerous regions and submit them to a laboratory for examination.
Electrocautery: This method destroys the damaged tissue by applying heat.
Using a laser: This last stage micro-contours and closes the wound.

Causes

Researchers are still unsure of the precise process by which rhinophyma develops. It appears to be a combination of issues with the normal functioning of the body’s immune system and blood vessels and neurons.

Summary

When rhinophyma is still in its early stages, a person may flush excessively. Swollen blood vessels and acne-like blemishes follow as the problem worsens. Later on, the nose tip enlarges as the nasal skin expands. Doctors diagnose rhinophyma at this point. Although it may obstruct airways and raise the risk of skin cancer, it is initially benign. Although medication and surgery can be helpful, there is some evidence that the problem may return following surgery.