Explained: The health insights your nose can provide

Aug. 25, 2024, 8:32 a.m.

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Thanks to a fascinating phenomenon known as unconscious selective attention, your brain has learned to disregard your nose. A prominent feature situated close to the eyes, the nose could obstruct our vision – but our nervous system cleverly filters it out.

However, you can intentionally choose to focus on your nose. Simply close one eye or direct your gaze left, right or downwards, and it will come into view.

While your brain diligently works to prevent your nose from hindering your line of sight, your nose is not something to overlook. Similar to many other parts of your body, examining the nose can be helpful in diagnosing external skin conditions – and internal diseases.

Advertisement How acne affects the nose

Acne vulgaris is the most widespread form of acne, and it often affects the nose.

This skin condition develops when tiny glands in the skin that secrete protective oils become clogged, leading to open and closed comedones. Open comedones, also known as blackheads, develop a dark-colored plug, while closed comedones are whiteheads that form when the pore is completely blocked. Clogged pores can also develop into larger lumps and bumps that can become infected, inflamed, and filled with pus, and can even leave scars on the skin.

Acne rosacea has a distinct appearance. It is a skin condition characterized by inflammation, causing redness (erythema) most commonly on the nose and cheeks. Rosacea is currently incurable, but it can be managed, often with long-term treatment. Individuals with rosacea may experience a rash with papules and pustules resembling acne, as well as visible blood vessels appearing as thin red or purplish lines across the nose and cheeks.

Acne vulgaris is the most widespread form of acne, and it often affects the nose. In some cases, rosacea can cause the skin of the nose to grow and thicken. This condition is called rhinophyma, and, like other visible skin conditions, can lead to significant changes in appearance and have a serious impact on self-esteem in those who suffer from it.

Both acne vulgaris and rosacea have been linked to various risk factors and health conditions, although some connections are stronger than others. In the case of rosacea, the list includes high blood pressure and cholesterol, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis.

What about Wolf’s nose

Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that can affect any of the body's tissues, though primarily the lungs and lymph nodes. The condition can lead to patches of bluish or purplish rashes, especially on the body's extremities where the skin is typically cooler. This includes the ears, fingers, toes, and, of course, the nose. When sarcoidosis affects the nose, it's known as lupus pernio, though it's not the same as the autoimmune disease lupus.

Advertisement Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), commonly known as lupus, is a completely different condition where the body's immune system attacks its own tissues. Its name originates from the Latin word for “wolf”, dating back to medieval times when the associated skin rash was believed to resemble a wolf bite.

When lupus, rather than sarcoidosis, affects the skin, it produces a butterfly rash, or malar rash, which spreads across the cheeks and nasal bridge. This rash can look very similar to rosacea.

Lupus is often referred to as “the great imitator” because it exhibits symptoms that resemble those of various other diseases.

The rare condition that affects nose sensation

Trigeminal trophic syndrome is a rare condition caused by damage to the trigeminal nerve, which controls chewing but also provides sensation to the face. When the smaller nerve branches supplying the area of skin around the nostrils are injured, sensation is compromised. Patients may notice that the skin becomes desensitized, or numb – or that it prickles, like pins and needles, creating an urge to pick or scratch. Repeated damage to the skin can lead to the formation of ulcers around the nostrils.

This condition is distinct from skin picking disorder – or dermatillomania – which is driven by a psychological compulsion to pick at the skin.

So, take a moment to appreciate your nose, closing one eye at a time, or even better, have a good look at it in the mirror. It deserves more attention than the blind spot your brain allows.

Dan Baumgardt, a senior lecturer at the University of Bristol's School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience.

This article is reprinted from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. You can find the original article here.