Rhinophyma is a benign condition of the skin of the nose, resulting in enlargement of the nose. This problem, though benign, can result in a disfiguring appearance to the nose, as it becomes red and bumpy over time. The cause is due to multiple factors, including rosacea. The condition is more commonly seen in men.
Rhinophyma results in enlarged blood vessels, inflammation, chronic swelling, and an increase in the number of sebaceous glands in the skin of the nose. This is what leads to the reddened, thickened, and bulbous appearance of the nose. In addition to the aesthetic disfigurement, the enlargement of the nasal skin may eventually cause nasal obstruction, as the nose becomes weighted down.