Conditions
Rhinophyma
Rhinophyma normally presents itself as a bulbous red nose, typically with an oily texture and thickened skin. It was originally thought to be caused by excessive drinking, but this has been proved false in recent years, and it affects equal numbers of drinkers and non-drinkers. The cause isn’t well known, but the treatment is normally drastic. In the early stages acne medication can be used to dampen down the symptoms, whilst more serious cases must be treated with a surgical solution. This involves reshaping the nose with a scalpel or lazer, and removing the excess tissue. Unfortunately, the symptoms can return, in which case further surgery will be required.
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I have been diagnosed with Acne Rosacea in Januray 2012. I am experiencing permanenet redness, pimples/postules and an itching burning sensation, - being tottally honest i am devestated by this,as i i have never experienced skin problems, and i am 27. I feel unattractive and the prospect of a growing nose is really scaring me!! How do i get my head around this? Someone please help?
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when im hot my nose is very red, but when im cold its purple, im getting to the point were i dont want to talk to people because i feel ugly.
Asked on 19 Mar 2012 20:04 by debbie
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Sounds like you may have Raynauds Disease. My daughter was recently diagnosed with it in her toes. Blood vessels constrict or spasm affecting blood flow.You can read more about it at Mayoclinic.com. There are some medications available.
Posted on 2 Apr 2012 04:43 by Cynthia
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This is a good answer
Hi i am so worried i have just been diagnosed with rosacea but think it may be more, i have really burning of my skin as if i have been sun burned and my nose and eyes are really hurting me, eyes are gettind worse.i have spots all over my cheeks and chin, i am 49 amd never ever had spots ! i have an antibiotic cream i put on but has only worked about a week !what should i do ? joan
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See my story below. Boyfriend with rosacea. Lysine vitamin C and Flaxseed oil 1000 mg twice a day, morning and night.
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Hi karen i have rhinophyma as severe as the case on the episode dated 12.9.11 and it really is affecting my confidence now so i would like know of any private clinics i can get the operation done at,im rally desperate to have this done now so your help would be much appreciated.I live in scunthorpe n.lincs. many thanks a desperate kevin.
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Thanks for the response Dilwyn i appreciate your time - however, perhaps as my nose does hurt almost all the time (like somebody has punched me in the face), i have something different? I have not been diagnosed with Rhinophyma. I was diagnosed with rosacea approximately 4 years ago (after what i think was just an allergic reaction to a face cream), but the GP has recently changed their mind and said that they now don't think that i have it (although i had symptoms, redness, etc, i think they were caused by the topicals i was prescribed by the GP (i.e. zineryt, metrogel, fincea, differin, retin-a). I also used oral antibiotics, (i.e. doxycyline, lymecycline, oracea) - nothing helped. However my nose is just not right -EXTREME senstivity to cold and almost continual pain at the bridge and sometimes across my cheeks too and sometimes it feels really swollen. It is also very lumpy and bumpy (could that be due to natural ageing - don't know??). I have had an allergy test done (by a nutritional therapist) and quite a lot of foods came up which i am avoiding just in case that is the link. Unfortunately, my GP has lost interest and I think has me flagged as a "time waster", which doesn't help - bah humbug!!:-(. Anyway - once again thank you for your time Dilwyn and I am really glad that it turned out well for you (fingers crossed my probelm will get resolved someday soon too).
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hi Karen, god i am so worried i have just ben diagnosed with rosacea but tink it may be more, i have really burning of my skin as if i have been sun burned and my nose and eyes are really hurting me, eyes are gettind worse. i have an antibiotic cream i put on but has only worked about a week ! joan
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Hi Dilwyn - well done on having the operation - :-). Not wishing to pry but I wondered if I could ask a few more questions? Did the soreness you have feel like somebody had punched you in the nose? Did you have any success with reducing the symptoms with any prescription, non-prescription (oral or topical), or any complimentary therapies, i.e. naturopath, chinese medicine, etc or anything else?
Asked on 13 Sep 2011 16:33 by Karen
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Hi Karen - the soreness from the Rosacea was more of a visible soreness than any actual pain but I cannot in all honesty say that either traditional or complimentary medications were much help in reducing the symptoms though they may have halted their increase. I took Tetralysal via the doctor and a special mix from a local herbalist at £73 a bottle - the bottle holding about a pint.If you are in the early stages, it is worth asking the doctor about either dermabrasion or laser treatment - I left it a bit late before finding out about either - but I can only repeat that full surgery is nothing to fear - at least half my nose (as it had become) was cut off but no pain or difficulty really.
Posted on 13 Sep 2011 20:11 by DILWYN
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The Rhinophyma item appeared on the show on 12/9/2011 and I watched it whilst recovering from Rhinophyma surgery which I had at Whiston Hospital on 7/9/11!! My Rhinophyma had become quite bad as I had been putting off any surgery but, now, I would encourage anyone to go for surgery - I am writing this just about a week after the op and have had ABSOLUTELY NO PAIN, no swelling and no bruises - a bit of bleeding initially and I have looked a mess for a few days because of the blood stained, smelly dressings but that is it. The surgery is nothing to fear and I already feel so much better for it.
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How did you first know you had rhinophyma - what were the initial symptoms and how did it progress?
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In reply to Karen's comment, I had a long history leading to the Rhinophyma - good skin until a teenager, then the usual acne in teenage years but the acne remained into adulthood only gradually improving. Then, the adult acne turned into Rosacea ( redness and soreness of the central face ) and, as that subsided, so swelling, little lumps and hardness appeared in the nose, gradually worsening over about 3 or 4 years. I have never had any pain with it though - it was purely cosmetic until fairly recently when the weight of the lumps started to close my nostrils and their size began to restrict my vision when looking sideways or downwards. I was reluctant to go for surgery as the Rhinophyma was not painful but, as mentioned, I would encourage anyone to go for surgery now. My first name is Dilwyn - not sure how it got lost first time.I cannot put my own email address here but give Channel 4 my permission for them to divulge it to Karen and she can contact me directly if this helps.
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My nose hurts almost all the time - more so when the weather is cold - sometimes the pain spreads to my top teeth and my cheeks - In the last 12 months I have noticed several new small hard lumps under the skin on my nose from the bridge to the tip and feel that my nose is changing, I.e. Skin thickening and increasing in size sometimes it feels swollen - I also have some puffiness on my cheeks - anybody have similar symptoms?
Asked on 12 Sep 2011 22:24 by Karen
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it's geeting worse when I eat bread.
Posted on 13 Sep 2011 13:09 by ann
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Karen - please see further info posted on the website under my initial email.
Posted on 13 Sep 2011 15:24 by DILWYN
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My boyfriend has ocular rosacea, rosacea on his face and palpules on his nose including the visible tiny red blood vessles. About 2 weeks ago, he started taking 1000 mg each of L-Lysine (amino acids)and vitamin C each morning and night. I was cautiously optomistic, as I had read so much about how these vitamins help. I am amazed at his improvement. Redness almost gone, eyes clearing up. He's now added 1000 mg. of flaxseed oil (omega 3 fatty acids) to his daily regimin. I recommend it to anyone with rosacea! The problem is within. I'm not kidding. Try it!!
Posted on 2 Apr 2012 04:38 by Cynthia
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This is a good answer