Those pathologies that disfigure the face negatively affect not only the physical, but also the psychological state of the person. Rhinophyma of the nose is just one of these diseases.
What is a disease?
It is characterized by excessive proliferation of soft tissues and impaired respiratory functions (in especially difficult cases). Rhinophyma of the nose is a chronic disease that has a slow pace of development for a long time. However, a time comes when its progression accelerates.
As a result, the nose becomes very large, its appearance is significantly deteriorating. In addition to the growth of tissues in humans, a weak-flowing inflammatory process develops in the affected area.
Rhinophyma of the nose in women develops much less often than in men. Moreover, in the latter its progression is especially noticeable at the age of 40-50 years. Without proper treatment, sprawl will continue to increase.
Most often, the disease manifests itself in people with blond hair and skin, with hormonal disorders. The development of pathology is promoted by a constant strong temperature drop. It is also observed in those patients whose relatives were diagnosed with rosacea.
Causes of the disease
To date, they are not precisely defined. Doctors suggest that if a patient is diagnosed with rhinophyma of the nose, the causes of this disease are as follows:
- The presence of a skin tick.
- Inflammation of the epidermis.
However, it is precisely known what factors can trigger the development mechanism:
- Excessive alcohol abuse.
- Too dry or dusty air.
- Pathology of immunity.
- Disruption of the stomach and intestines.
- Long-term use of chemical medications.
- Direct exposure to sunlight.
- Age-related skin changes.
- Stress.
- Pathology of blood vessels.
- The lack of vitamins in the body.
Pathology classification
Rhinophyma of the nose is hypertrophic and fibrous. In addition, there is another classification of pathology:
- Fibrous
- Actinic.
- Granular.
- Fibrous-angiectatic.
Manifestations of the pathology depend on what type of disease develops in the patient.
Symptoms of the disease
If the patient has rhinophyma, the causes, symptoms and provoking factors should be considered so that the doctor can prescribe adequate treatment. So, depending on the form of the disease, the symptoms may be as follows:
- Fibrous Here, only the skin of the nose grows. In addition, small vessels expand, although the surface of the affected part of the body remains smooth. The skin turns purple.
- Fibrous-angiectatic. Tissue growth in this case occurs evenly, that is, the outwardly natural outlines of the nose practically do not change. The skin becomes red, and very bright, as new capillaries appear inside the formation . On the nose, you can see foci of inflammation, which contain pus. This form of pathology is characterized by severe itching, as well as pain.
- Actinic. It manifests itself more in those people who are often exposed to direct sunlight, and who have fair skin (hair). In this case, the tissue grows evenly, the blood vessels located on the wings of the nose expand. The coda turns purple-brown.
- Granular. This is the most dangerous and unpleasant form of the development of the disease, since the patient has tuberous growths, the nose acquires unnatural outlines. Sebaceous glands also enlarge. When pressed on the hillocks, a liquid with a bad smell is released from them. Changes affect not only the epidermis, but also cartilage tissue.
These symptoms are characteristic of almost all patients. Their severity depends on the degree of neglect of the disease, since not all patients seek medical help.
Diagnostic Features
Rhinophyma of the nose is determined already at a visual examination of the patient. However, in order to take into account all the nuances of the pathology, the doctor is obliged to analyze the changed tissues. You can assign the patient a biopsy to determine the nature of the formation: malignant or benign.
A laboratory scraping is also done to determine the presence of a skin tick. Instrumental examination methods are not informative. Cytological and histological examination is also performed.
Features of conservative therapy
If the patient has rhinophyma of the nose, treatment should be prescribed in the early stages of its development, until the proliferation of tissues has acquired an irreversible form. At first, conservative therapy is used. It includes such drugs:
- Ointments and creams.
- Lotions based on boron or tannin composition. They provide an anti-inflammatory effect.
- Hormonal ointments and pills, which are used for the ineffectiveness of lighter drugs.
With a disease such as rhinophyma of the nose, treatment with folk remedies will be ineffective. This is not about a simple inflammatory process, but about the proliferation of tissues, which is almost impossible to remove with decoctions of herbs. Although some folk remedies can be prescribed by a doctor in the initial stages of the development of pathology.
Surgery
If conservative therapy did not give the desired effect, then the doctor may resort to surgery. Small tubercles are removed using laser therapy or electrocoagulation. A targeted effect on the affected area is provided, therefore, after the operation, the patient has a small wound. It heals very quickly, which accelerates the recovery process of the patient.
The most effective is still laser treatment. If the pathology has an already running form, then an operation to restore the shape of the nose is recommended. In this case, a laser, an electric scalpel is used. Each type of surgical intervention is selected individually.
For example, if the growth is small, then the specialist will conduct dermabrasion - grinding the upper layers of the skin until a smooth wound surface is obtained. Next, a natural restoration of the skin occurs.
More serious stitches may leave scars behind. A more global plastic surgery is also possible. In this case, the surgeon removes all the affected tissue, after which the nose shape is adjusted.
Radio wave treatment is also used. It allows not only to quickly remove overgrown tissue, but also to restore the natural forms of the affected part. With this method of intervention, there are no bleeding and swelling. Postoperative complications in this case also practically do not appear.
After the operation, anti-inflammatory drug therapy is performed. Recovery of the epithelial layer occurs in 1-2 weeks. In this case, the skin must be protected in every way from the effects of negative factors.
What complications can arise?
If the patient did not contact the doctor in a timely manner, then such complications may appear:
- Aesthetic defect.
- Shortness of breath, as tissue nodules grow inward, blocking the nasal passages.
- The transition of education into a malignant tumor.
In any case, it is better not to delay the treatment. So it will be faster to achieve a positive result.
Preventative measures
In order for the pathology not to appear again, it is necessary to observe the following recommendations of specialists:
- Avoid prolonged exposure to cold or hot air, do not stay in dusty rooms.
- It is better to carefully protect yourself from the direct influence of the sun with closed clothing or sunscreens.
- You should refuse trips to the sauna or bath.
- It is important to eat right.
- It is necessary to monitor the functionality of the stomach and intestines.
- It is important to carry out timely acne therapy.
- It is necessary to significantly limit the use of alcohol or abandon it altogether.
Only in this case, a man or woman will be able to avoid relapse of the disease. That's all the information on the topic: "Rhinophyma of the nose: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment." Of course, it is better to prevent the disease than to treat it. Therefore, a visit to the doctor should be carried out at the first manifestations of pathology. Be healthy!