There are several skin diseases or skin conditions that can manifest themselves on the nose. In this article we discuss (in alphabetical order) the most important types of skin conditions that can occur on the nose and the complaints they cause: basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most common form of skin cancer; erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP); lupus vulgaris (a rare tuberculous disease of the skin); perniones; rosacea and rhinophyma (also called ‘cauliflower nose’ or ‘knot nose’); verruca vulgaris (also called ‘common wart’).

Skin condition nose

• Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)

• What is it?
• Form basal cell carcinoma
• Frequent exposure to sunlight is the culprit
• Nodular basal cell carcinoma

• Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP)

• What is EPP?
• Hands, feet, face and ears
• Sex

• Fibrous papule of the nose / of the face
• Keratoacanthoma
• Lupus vulgaris (cutaneous tuberculosis)
• Skin condition nose: blackheads
• Skin condition nose: perniones
• Rosacea and rhinophyma

• What is it?
• Papules and pustules

• Sebaceous gland hyperplasia
• Verruca vulgaris

 Basal cell carcinoma on the nose: a form of skin cancer / Source: James Heilman, MD, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-3.0)

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)

What is it?

Basal cell carcinoma (see photo) is the most common form of skin cancer and one that almost never spreads (about 1:10,000). Therefore, this skin cancer is rarely life-threatening. However, it can cause tissue damage for local growth.

Form basal cell carcinoma

There are different forms:

• superficially growing BCC (often resembles an eczema spot);
• solid (nodular) growing BCC; and
• wispy growing BCC.

Frequent exposure to sunlight is the culprit

It is most common in people over 45 years of age, and almost twice as common in men as in women. The risk of skin cancer is related to the amount of sun exposure and pigmentation in the skin. The longer the sun exposure and the lighter the skin, the greater the risk of skin cancer.

Nodular basal cell carcinoma

The most common form is nodular basal cell carcinoma, a skin-colored, pink or light brown, round or oval bump or lump with a glassy or shiny appearance. Blood vessels are often visible on the surface. Larger spots often have a crater formed in the center.

Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP)

What is EPP?

Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) is a metabolic disease that causes the patient to feel a burning pain when the skin comes into contact with (sun)light. The disease is caused by a deficiency and/or reduced function of the enzyme ferrochelatase, which leads to accumulation of the substance protoporphyrin in the skin, causing photosensitivity, or hypersensitivity to sunlight, which can cause skin damage.

Hands, feet, face and ears

It usually occurs on the hands, feet, face and ears. Symptoms include minor redness, edema and blistering and a subjective burning sensation several hours after unprotected exposure to sunlight during the day. Flakes and crustae (crusts) may develop on the nose. In a later phase, scarring and lichenification (skin thickening) may occur.

Sex

It occurs equally often in men and women.Fibrous papule of the nose / Source: M. Sand et al., Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-2.0)

Fibrous papule of the nose / of the face

A fibrous papule of the nose is a benign skin-colored bump or papule on the nose. The bump can also appear elsewhere on the face. The papule is small: 1-5 mm. Usually it is one bump, sometimes more bumps can appear. The cause is not exactly known. From a medical point of view, the bump does not need to be treated. It is a benign skin condition. The bump can be removed if it is considered cosmetically disturbing.

Keratoacanthoma

A keratoacanthoma is a relatively common and fast-growing (days to weeks) benign skin tumor. Presumably (frequent) exposure to sunlight plays a role in the development of this skin disorder. Keratoacanthomas are almost only seen on those areas of the skin that are frequently exposed to sunlight, such as the face (including the nose), the ears, the arms and the hands (the backs of the hands). The keratoacanthoma can be removed by curettage followed by electrocoagulation.

Lupus vulgaris (cutaneous tuberculosis)

Lupus vulgaris is a rare tuberculous disease of the skin, especially in the head and neck region. Possible symptoms include ulceration, scar formation, growths, red swellings, including of the nose, lips and cheeks, mild to severe facial disfigurement.

Skin condition nose: blackheads

Blackheads, also called ‘comedones’, are caused by a blockage of the skin pores due to an accumulation of sebum and horn dust. The horn accumulates in the hair follicle and mixes with sebum. A black head is formed in the widened opening of the pore, the so-called ‘blackhead’. The pigment melanin found in the blackhead provides the black color. It is also possible that the opening is narrowed and in such cases the head is white, the so-called ‘whitehead’.

Skin condition nose: perniones

This skin abnormality occurs in areas that have been exposed to cold for long periods of time. Especially on the face and body extremities (such as the tip of the nose, fingers, toes, lower legs and knees). Blue to purplish discoloration occurs, which is accompanied by an unpleasant burning sensation when entering warmer rooms. The skin also shows edema formation. The damage is mainly found among the homeless, people who work in a cold room or after a long stay in the snow.

Rosacea and rhinophyma

What is it?

Rosacea is a common chronic skin condition, with the main symptoms:

• a burning or tingling sensation in the face;
• red spots on the face, with flushes.

Papules and pustules

This may be accompanied by pimples, papules, bumps or pustules on the face. Rhinophyma, also called ‘cauliflower nose’ or ‘knot nose’, is a late manifestation of chronic, active rosacea.

Sebaceous gland hyperplasia

Sebaceous gland hyperplasia is also known as sebaceous gland hyperplasia or senile sebaceous gland hyperplasia. Sebaceous gland hyperplasia is a common, benign condition of the sebaceous glands, mainly seen in middle-aged or older adults. It occurs on aging skin. Both men and women can suffer from this. This involves an increase in sebaceous glands in the skin, in one place.

Verruca vulgaris

The common wart (verruca vulgaris or cauliflower wart) is caused by an infection with human papillomavirus (HPV). These warts mainly occur in children, especially on the hands and feet and sometimes on the face. They can also manifest themselves in adulthood or in the elderly with impaired immunity. The common wart often appears skin-colored to gray with a bumpy surface with a rough, lobed aspect and sharply demarcated from the surrounding skin.

read more

• Skin disorders AZ: symptoms, cause and treatment
• Rash on the face: on the cheeks, chin, nose and forehead
• Dry red flaky skin around nose: causes and symptoms
• Brown spots on the skin: neck, hand, face, shoulder, arm
• Itchy nose: causes and symptoms of itchy nose