When most people think about getting older, they imagine wrinkles or maybe gray hair. For one Scottish grandad though, age brought something much stranger, a nose that just kept growing.
Gerard McAliece, 68, from Kilmacolm, Scotland, first noticed changes about six years ago. At first, he thought it was just part of getting older, but then it became impossible to ignore.
He said: “It just kept growing and growing and, as much as possible, I tried to ignore it.” People began to stare when he went out, and some even turned away. Gerard said: “Yes, people began to stare, and some would turn away, but my view was: this is me. Take me as I am.”
Over time, the growth became so large that it dangled over his mouth. It made it hard to eat, drink, or even kiss his wife, Carol. He said: “I hadn’t been able to properly kiss her for years.”
Doctors later diagnosed him with Rhinophyma, a rare skin condition that causes the tissue and oil glands in the nose to grow excessively. Even though it was severe, Gerard struggled to get help. He said: “When I went to the doctor, it was a locum that I saw, they asked if I could breathe and I said ‘yes’, and they said: ‘that’s ok then’. After that, I didn’t discuss it with my GP as I didn’t think they would do anything about it, as they would deem it as cosmetic.”
His wife finally stepped in and contacted Ever Clinic in Glasgow after reading about their work with Rhinophyma patients. When Gerard met the doctors, they were shocked by how bad it had become. They scheduled surgery right away.
Specialist Dr Cormac Convery led a four-hour operation to remove the excess tissue and reshape his nose. Gerard said: “They said it was the biggest job that they had ever tackled and that it was going to be a real challenge, but that, hopefully, they would be able to do it in one session, which they did.”
The results changed his life. He said: “The result has been fantastic. It has totally turned my life around. Carol says that I am back to being the man that I used to be. I am now talking to people, going for a pint and enjoying meals out in restaurants, which we haven’t done for years.”
An Ever Clinic spokesperson said that Gerard’s case was the most advanced they had seen and that it was unfortunate he couldn’t find help through the NHS. They praised Dr Convery’s work and said the outcome was outstanding.
Gerard hopes his story will help others who are afraid to seek treatment. He said: “If there is anyone out there in the position I was in, my advice to them would be – don’t wait. Just do it.”
