Naked Science Forum

General Science => General Science => Topic started by: LadyDi on 17/01/2006 14:52:55

Title: big nose
Post by: LadyDi on 17/01/2006 14:52:55

my husband wants to know the answer to this question. Why is it that people that drink alcohol for many years when they get older their nose gets big? Does the nose absorb the alcohol through vapors and store it in the pores causing the nose to grow?

Diana
Proverbs 31:30
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

Title: Re: big nose
Post by: wim on 17/01/2006 15:36:08

People who drink a lot don't get bigger noses.

Title: Re: big nose
Post by: Dr B on 17/01/2006 15:51:28

I believe that both the nose and the ear lobes continue to grow throughout our lives.  Thus old (non) drinkers will have larger noses than young (non) drinkers.

Dr B
Istanbul

Title: Re: big nose
Post by: wim on 17/01/2006 16:05:01

ok so you're a doctor and it doesn't have anything to do with the alcohol!!
happy about that cause I was allready considering to stop drinking.

Title: Re: big nose
Post by: Dr B on 17/01/2006 16:07:15

Not a medical doctor though!

Dr B
Istanbul

Title: Re: big nose
Post by: ROBERT on 17/01/2006 16:11:03

Dr B is correct about cartilage continuing to grow throughout life, but I think LadyDi is referring to Hypertrophic Rosacea :-
"enlargement of the nose with dilation of follicles and redness and prominent vascularity of the skin;
 often associated with excessive consumption of alcohol."

Title: Re: big nose
Post by: LadyDi on 17/01/2006 16:22:57

Robert that is exactly what I was referring to, thanks! I didn't realize the nose and ears continue to grow, that's interesting!

Diana
Proverbs 31:30
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

Title: Re: big nose
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 17/01/2006 19:43:39

Didn't Hypertrophic Rosacea used to be known as "port nose"?

Title: Re: big nose
Post by: ROBERT on 18/01/2006 11:02:46

There seems to be differences of opinion as to whether this condition is caused by alcohol,
(apparently it can occur in teetotalers).
However there is agreement that it is exacerbated by alcohol consumption, (not just Port):-

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001037.htm
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/hypertrophic+rosacea
http://www.meddean.luc.edu/lumen/MedEd/medicine/dermatology/melton/rhino1.htm

Title: Re: big nose
Post by: GOD on 18/01/2006 17:09:23

As the all knowing deity which doesn't exist I can inform you that the reason why drinkers get big noses is because that is where they store their bottles.

I am GOD..You are Not..I don't exist !!