A small fracture of the bone in your nose will usually
heal in about a month. A really bad break may need surgery
after the swelling is gone.
Causes
Any blow to the nose can cause a
break. The injury is typically sustained during athletics or in
a fall.
Signs/Symptoms
Swelling, pain, bruising, and
bleeding can be expected. Your face may feel numb or tingle. If
the break has pushed the bones out of place, the nose may seem
out of shape.
Care
If you have a bad break, you will
probably need an x-ray, and surgery may be necessary. X-rays
often fail to detect a nasal fracture, so the doctor may delay
them for 1 to 4 days after the injury, or until the swelling
has gone down. The nose is usually filled with cotton packing,
and you may have to wear a splint over the top of your nose for
protection during the healing process. If skin was scratched or
torn during the accident, you may also have to get a tetanus
shot.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
Apply ice to the injury for 15 to 20 minutes each
hour for the first 1 to 2 days. Put the ice in a plastic
bag and place a towel between the bag of ice and your
skin.
When you lie down, rest your head on 2 or 3 pillows
so it is above the level of your heart. This will help
reduce pain and swelling.
Always take your medicine as directed.
Over-the-counter medications may be taken for
pain.
If you are given a tetanus shot, your arm may get
swollen, red, and warm to the touch at the injection site.
This is a normal reaction to the
medicine.
If you are given a splint for your nose, try to keep
it dry and do not remove it until your doctor gives the
go-ahead.
You may be allowed to take the splint off to shower.
Ask your doctor whether this is okay.
Call Your Doctor If...
The pain gets worse or you keep having
nosebleeds.
Seek Care Immediately If...
You have bleeding from the nose that does not stop
after 10 minutes with the nostrils pinched
closed.
You see clear fluid draining from the
nose.
You notice a grape-like swelling on the septum (the
wall between the nostrils). This is a collection of blood
that must be drained to keep the nose from becoming
infected.
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