A close examination of your nose can reveal some serious health issues, ranging from skin conditions to internal diseases. Den Baumgardt, a senior lecturer at the University of Bristol’s Faculty of Physiology, Pharmacology, and Neuroscience in the UK, sheds light on a few of these concerns.
Acne
While there are many forms of acne, the most common is acne vulgaris, which often affects the nose. This condition develops when the tiny glands in the skin that produce protective oils become clogged. This leads to the formation of both open and closed comedones.
Open comedones, better known as blackheads, create a dark plug, while closed comedones appear as whiteheads, formed when pores are completely blocked.
Clogged pores can often develop into larger lumps and bumps that may become infected, inflamed, and filled with pus, potentially leaving scars on the skin.
Acne rosacea presents differently. This inflammatory skin condition causes erythema (redness of the skin), most commonly on the nose and cheeks. While rosacea is incurable, it can be managed primarily through long-term treatment.
Patients with rosacea often experience breakouts in the form of papules and pustules. Meanwhile, blood vessels on the nose and cheeks may become visible as thin red or purple lines.
In some cases, rosacea can lead to thickening and enlargement of the skin on the nose, a condition known as rhinophyma. Like other visible skin disorders, this condition can result in significant changes to one’s appearance and severely impact self-esteem.
Both acne and rosacea are linked to various risk factors. Rosacea, in particular, correlates with high blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
Sarcoidosis
This inflammatory disease causes swelling of the nose, which may take on a purplish hue, as well as erosion of the nasal mucosa. Sarcoidosis, also known as Bénier-Beka-Schaumann disease, affects multiple organs and systems, including the lungs. The disease can also target lymph nodes, liver, spleen, and, less commonly, skin, bones, and eyes. Bluish or purplish spots may appear on the extremities, as reported by Science Alert.
This condition is non-infectious, meaning it cannot be transmitted to others. Treatment primarily involves glucocorticoid hormones.
Trigeminal Neuralgia Syndrome
The name of this condition speaks for itself: it involves damage to the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for the chewing process and provides sensation to the face. When the small nerve branches that run through the skin around the nostrils are damaged, sensitivity is disrupted.
A patient may report that their skin has become either numb or tingling, as if pricked by needles. This condition can lead to an urge to scratch, but subsequent skin damage may result in the formation of ulcers around the nostrils.
This condition is distinct from a disorder known as dermatillomania, where the compulsive urge to pick at the skin arises from stress.
So, don’t forget to take a good look at your nose in the mirror. It deserves more attention than it usually gets.