text: why does an alcoholic's nose become bulbus? it is usually extremely enlarged, red and lumpy. this does happen, although not just in the nose.  chronic alcoholism causes severe damage to the liver.  the liver produces clotting factors which help to stop bleeding.  petechiae often results as microscopic vascular damage bleeding is not easily halted due to increased bleeding time secondary to cirrhosis of the liver.  this petechiae is what makes the appearance of the nose change, although if you look closely you will notice it on their cheeks and other areas of the skin as well.  just it becomes obvious on the nose.