Broken nose

Description

A broken nose, also called a nasal fracture, is a break or crack in a bone in your nose — often the bone over the bridge of his nose.

The common causes of a broken nose include contact sports, fights, falls and motor vehicle accidents that result in injuries to the face.

A broken nose can cause pain, and it is common to get a bloody nose. You may have swelling and bruising around the nose and under the eyes. Your nose may look crooked, and you may have trouble breathing through it.

The treatment for a fracture of the nose may include the procedures to realign your nose. The surgery is usually not necessary.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of a broken nose include:

  • Pain or tenderness, especially when touching the nose
  • Swelling of the nose and its surroundings
  • Bleeding of the nose
  • Bruising around the eyes or nose
  • Crooked or misshapen nose
  • Difficulty breathing through the nose
  • The discharge of mucus from the nose
  • Feeling that one or both of the nasal passages are blocked

When to see a doctor

Seek emergency medical attention if you experience a nose injury accompanied by:

  • A head or a neck injury, which may be marked by severe headache, neck pain, vomiting, or loss of consciousness
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Bleeding that can't stop
  • A remarkable change in the shape of their nose, which is not related to inflammation, such as a twisted or braided appearance
  • Clear, watery fluid coming out of their nose

Causes

The common causes of a broken nose include:

  • Injuries from contact sports, such as football or hockey
  • Physical fights
  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • Falls

A fracture in the nose, it can even be caused by walking in a fixed object, such as a door or a wall, or by the harsh fighting type of game.

Risk factors

Any activity that increases your risk of injuries to the face can increase your risk of a fracture in the nose. Such activities may include:

  • Contact sports, such as football and hockey, especially without a helmet, that has a face mask
  • Participate in a physical fight
  • Ride a bike
  • Lifting weights, especially if you don't use a spotter
  • Travel in a motor vehicle, especially without the safety belt

Complications

Complications related injuries or a broken nose may include:

  • The deviated septum. A nasal fracture can cause a deviation of the nasal septum. This condition occurs when the thin wall that divides the two sides of the nose (the nasal septum) is displaced, the narrowing of their nostrils. Medications, such as decongestants and antihistamines, can help to manage a deviated septum. Surgery is required to correct the condition.
  • Collection of blood. Sometimes, puddles of blood clot forms in a broken nose, creating a condition that is called a septal hematoma. A septal hematoma can block one or both nostrils. It requires prompt surgical drainage to prevent the damage of the cartilage.
  • The cartilage of the fracture. If the fracture is due to a blow, as from a car accident, you may also experience a fracture of the cartilage. If your injury is severe enough to warrant surgical treatment, the surgeon must address both the bone and cartilage injuries.
  • Injury to the neck. If a hit is strong enough to break your nose, it can also be strong enough to damage the bones of your neck. If you suspect a neck injury, seek medical attention immediately.

Prevention

You can help to prevent a nasal fracture with these guidelines:

  • Wear your seat belt when traveling in a motor vehicle, and keep the children subjects in age-appropriate child safety seats.
  • Use the recommended safety equipment, such as a helmet with a face mask, when playing hockey, football or any other contact sport.
  • Wear a helmet for bicycle, or motorcycle rides.

Broken nose

Diagnosis

Your health care provider may press gently on the outside of the nose and its surrounding areas. He or she can look inside of their nostrils to check the obstruction and more signs of fracture of the bones.

You may receive medicine to make the nose more comfortable during the exam.

X-rays and other imaging studies are usually unnecessary. However, a computed tomography (CT) may be ordered if the severity of your injuries makes a complete physical examination impossible, or if your doctor suspects you may have other injuries.

Treatment

If you have a minor fracture that has not caused your nose to become crooked or otherwise deformed, you may not need professional medical treatment. May very well be the use of ice in the area and taking over-the-counter pain medications.

Manual realignment

If the rupture has shifted to the bones and cartilage of your nose, your doctor may be able to align manually them. This must be done within 14 days from the moment of the fracture occurred, preferably before.

During this procedure, a drug that numbs your nose. In some cases, health care providers can push the nose in place with the fingers. Sometimes, it may be necessary to use special tools to help realign the broken bones and the cartilage.

Your nose may be immobilized with a splint, with the packaging on the inside and a bandage on the outside. Sometimes, an internal splint is also required for a short period of time. If used, the packaging, you should usually stay in for a week. The dressing can remain for up to two weeks.

You can also give a prescription for antibiotics to prevent infection from the bacteria that live in your nose.

Surgery

Serious breaks, multiple breaks or pauses that have been gone untreated for more than 14 days, you may need surgery. The surgery can realign the bones and to change the shape of your nose, if it is necessary.

If the rupture has damaged your nasal septum — the middle part of the nose that divides the nasal — breathing feel blocked or you may feel like you have a stuffy nose. Reconstructive surgery may be recommended.

Self-care

If you think you may have broken your nose, take these steps to reduce the pain and inflammation:

  • Act quickly. When the break occurs first, breathe through your mouth and lean forward to reduce the amount of blood that drains into your throat.
  • The use of ice. Apply ice packs or cold compresses immediately after the injury, and then, at least, four times a day during the first 24 to 48 hours to reduce swelling. Keep the ice or cold pack for 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Wrap the ice in a towel to prevent frostbite. Try not to apply too much pressure, which can cause more pain or harm to your nose.
  • Relieve the pain. Taking over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve, others), as needed.
  • Keep your head up. Raise your head — especially in the time of sleep, in order not to worsen the swelling and throbbing.
  • Limit your activities. During the first two weeks after treatment, do not play any sports. Avoid contact sports for at least six weeks after your injury.

Preparing for your appointment

If your injury is severe, you will not have time to prepare for your appointment, due to the need to seek immediate medical attention.

If the injury to your nose is less severe, accompanied only by the inflammation and moderate pain — you may choose to wait before seeking care. This allows time for the inflammation to decrease, making it easier to evaluate your injury.

However, it is best not to wait more than 3 to 5 days before you see your health care provider if signs and symptoms persist. During this waiting period, get medical attention if:

  • Pain or swelling does not improve progressively
  • Your nose looks misshapen or crooked, after that the swelling is removed
  • You can't breathe well through the nose, even after the swelling subsides
  • You experience frequent nosebleeds recurring
  • You are running a fever

When you make an appointment, you can start by seeing your primary care provider. He or she may refer you to a specialist in disorders of the ear, nose and throat.

Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment and know what to expect.

What you can do

  • Write down the symptoms you are experiencing and what they were doing in the time of the injury.
  • Make a list of all the medicines, vitamins, and supplements you are taking.
  • Bring a photo of yourself before the injury for the comparison, if it is possible.
  • Write questions to ask.

Prepare a list of questions can help you make the most of your time with your health care provider. For a broken nose, here are some basic questions to ask:

  • I need tests, such as X-rays?
  • How long will the swelling and bruising last?
  • My nose look the same?
  • I need surgery?
  • Do I need to limit my activity?
  • What type of pain medication can I take?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take home? What sites do you recommend to get additional information?

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care provider may ask:

  • How and when did the injury occur?
  • The symptoms improved at all since the time of the injury?
  • Does your nose seems to be the same or different to you?
  • You can breathe through the nose?
  • Do you participate in contact sports? If so, how long do you plan on participating in this sport?
Symptoms and treatment of the fracture of the nose