Facial Fracture

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Causes

Signs/Symptoms

Care

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.
• After the first 1 to 2 days, you may put heat on the injury to help ease the pain. Use a heating pad (set on low), a whirlpool bath, or warm, moist towels for 15 to 20 minutes every hour for 48 hours.
• Do not play any contact sports or indulge in other dangerous activities until your doctor says it's all right.
• You may gently wash and dry your face.
• If the doctor prescribes pain medicine that makes you drowsy, don't drive. You also may take over-the-counter medicines for pain. Take all medications exactly as directed.
• If you have been given a tetanus shot, your arm may get swollen, red, and warm to the touch at the shot site. This is a normal reaction to the medicine in the shot.

Call Your Doctor If...

• You develop a high temperature.
• You have really bad headaches or your vision becomes worse.
• You have new numbness or tingling in your face.

Seek Care Immediately If...

• You have even worse trouble seeing.
• You become dizzy or pass out.
• You have trouble speaking, breathing, or swallowing.