Rhinophyma is a skin condition that changes the appearance of the nose, such as thickened skin that causes a bulbous nose. Fortunately, there are now ways to treat this often frustrating condition.
If you’ve longed to address your rhinophyma, help is available.
The exact cause of rhinophyma remains elusive, but it is thought to be a late stage of phymatous rosacea due to the increased growth of the sebaceous glands. Men between 50 and 70 are more commonly affected, but women can also experience the condition. Anyone affected by rosacea, which is a chronic inflammation of the skin, may suffer from rhinophyma. And symptoms include redness, the appearance of swollen blood vessels, increased pore size, and superficial skin infections, which may produce a foul-smelling discharge. The skin changes of the nose are usually benign but sometimes can mask certain types of skin cancer. While there are ways to address the early stages of rhinophyma with topical or oral antibiotics, once the late stages have become visible, rhinophyma surgery—using excision and lasers—is usually necessary for treatment.
Typically, patients who elect to have rhinophyma treatment are in good health and have long been bothered by the appearance of their noses due to rosacea. As mentioned, there are various ways to address the condition, depending on its intensity and stage of progression. From anti-biotic creams to surgical excision, you can be assured this troublesome issue will be addressed.
Who is affected by rhinophyma?
What areas of the face does rhinophyma affect?
Will rhinophyma reoccur once treated?
As mentioned, men between the ages of 50-70 are more commonly affected, but women can also experience the condition. Anyone affected by rosacea, which is a chronic inflammation of the skin, may suffer from rhinophyma.
This condition is isolated to the skin changes that occur on the nose, but rosacea can affect the central forehead, chin, and cheeks. These changes are usually manifested by a flushed appearance and uneven skin tone and texture.
Rhinophyma rarely occurs once it has been treated with surgery or laser excision. If the patient chooses to use a less aggressive treatment strategy, more than one treatment may be needed.
The first step of this journey is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Thompson at his Denver practice. During this appointment, prospective patients can explain their physical concerns to the doctor and learn about various correction methods. Given that many different treatment options are available—including surgical treatment and other types of lasers—you can be sure that your unique needs will be addressed and that Dr. Thompson will create a customized treatment plan.
If you elect to have your rhinophyma treated surgically, the procedure may be performed either under local anesthetic or general anesthesia. Typically, a CO2 laser is employed to shave or evaporate lumps of tissues, or a scalpel or razor blade is used for removal. Often a combination of these two methods offers the best results. As mentioned, you can be sure the approach is designed with your specific needs.
One of the chief benefits of this procedure is that rhinophyma rarely occurs once it has been treated with surgery or laser excision. If the patient chooses a less aggressive treatment strategy, more than one treatment may be needed. Recovery from the surgery typically takes three months, and if you require more than one treatment, this will extend the healing time.
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