Is rhinophyma related to alcohol abuse?

Rhinophyma is a clinical variant of rosacea that presents as severe sebaceous gland hyperplasia of the nose, which may distort its contour. The most famous example of rhinophyma is the actor W.C. Fields. The lay public often assumes that people with rhinophyma are alcohol abusers. Studies have not been able to demonstrate increased alcohol use in patients with rhinophyma. Patients with rosacea and rhinophyma demonstrate prominent flushing following the consumption of alcohol. This flushing has been incorrectly perceived as being the cause of rhinophyma.

Curnier A, Choudhary S: Rhinophyma: dispelling the myths, Plast Reconstr Surg 114:351–354, 2004.