What You Need to Know About a Broken Nose
Having a broken nose can be a very difficult thing for you to deal with. It can be very painful and there are so many things you need to know about the condition. You need to know what to expect, what the symptoms are, and what you can do to help.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a broken nose include bruising and swelling around the nose. The symptoms can also include difficulty breathing through the nose. Depending on the type of nose fracture, the condition may require treatment.
A broken nose is usually caused by trauma. Children and older adults are at greater risk for this type of injury. Contact sports, motorcycles, and motor vehicles can all increase the risk for this type of injury. You should wear proper protective gear during these activities.
You should also avoid activities that can put your nose at risk. The first two weeks after the injury, you should not perform any activities that may put your nose at risk. The doctor may prescribe pain medications to ease the pain and swelling. You may also be prescribed nasal decongestants.
You may also be referred to a specialist for treatment. These doctors may perform nasal septum surgery, realigning the nasal bones to return them to their original position. The surgery may also help you breathe better.
If you are not referred to a specialist, you may be able to treat a broken nose at home. You may use an ice pack to ease the pain and swelling. The ice should be wrapped in a thin cloth and applied to the nose for 20 minutes at a time. You can also use a pillow to elevate the head. You can remove the ice pack several times throughout the day.
You should also wear protective headgear when playing contact sports. This is especially important for older adults. Children are also at risk for broken noses, as they are often more vulnerable to injuries. You should also wear a seat belt when riding a motor vehicle.
You should also avoid picking and blowing your nose. This may cause blood to enter your throat. You should also wait at least 48 hours before taking NSAID pain medications.
If you have a severe or multiple nose fracture, you may require surgery. In some cases, the broken bones may be realigned using local anesthesia. You may also require general anesthesia.
Diagnosis
Whether it’s a fractured nose, a nosebleed, or some other nasal injury, it’s important to get medical care as soon as possible. A broken nose can have serious consequences, including airway issues and deformities.
The doctor may take a physical exam or order an X-ray. They may also use nasal instruments, such as a nasal speculum, to determine the extent of the damage. If the injury is severe, the doctor may order a CT scan, which can provide more information about the fracture.
A nasal fracture isn’t always easy to diagnose. It can have a variety of symptoms, including humps, crepitus, ecchymosis, blood pooling in the septum, and irregularities in the shape of the bones.
To diagnose a fracture, your doctor should take a complete medical history and perform a physical examination. He or she may apply topical anesthetics before the exam. If the injury is severe, the doctor might also place anesthesia in the nostrils.
The doctor will check the nasal airway, the nasal septum, and the bone and cartilage structures. He or she will also look for any septal hematomas. A septal hematoma is a collection of blood inside the nasal septum. It may be purple or white in color and appear as a fluctuating swelling inside the nostril. The doctor will also feel the bridge to determine if the bones are moving in unusual ways.
For milder nose injuries, the doctor may ask you to rest for a few days. This is to allow the bones to heal and reduce swelling. Then a follow-up evaluation can be safely scheduled.
For a more severe fracture, the doctor may need to perform surgery. This is to repair the septum, realign the bones and surrounding tissue, or correct a deformity. These procedures are usually performed in a hospital. Some surgeons may also perform them in the operating room.
Most nasal fractures do not require surgery and are diagnosed and treated by a primary care physician or otolaryngologist. However, in some cases, surgery may be necessary to fix a broken nose. The doctor will assess whether the fracture is severe and how the bone fracture has affected the patient’s ability to breathe.
Treatment options
Various treatment options are available to help relieve the pain of a broken nose. Ice therapy may be used to reduce swelling and pain. Pain medications such as acetaminophen may be prescribed to help ease the pain. Depending on the severity of the injury, surgery may be required.
If your child suffers from a broken nose, the first step is to see your primary care provider. Your doctor will conduct a physical exam and take a medical history. He or she may also prescribe a series of diagnostic tests to determine the extent of the injury.
After determining the cause of the break, your primary care provider may prescribe an antibiotic and pain medications. Your doctor may also recommend ice therapy or a nasal splint to reduce the swelling. The swelling will subside within a couple of weeks. If your child’s break is severe, surgery may be required.
If your doctor decides that surgery is not necessary, he or she may choose to use a procedure called a closed nasal reduction to realign the bones. This procedure is usually performed with local anesthesia. A lighted instrument called a nasal speculum may be used to examine the nasal septum and determine the cause of the break.
Your doctor may also use nasal instruments to realign the bones or cartilage. These procedures may be performed in the operating room or in your doctor’s office. Some surgeries are performed under general anesthesia, meaning your child will sleep during the procedure.
After your child is treated for a broken nose, he or she may have to avoid activities that could cause further injury. This means you may need to keep your child from playing football or wearing glasses.
Depending on the severity of your child’s break, treatment options may include surgery, pain medication, or conservative management techniques. You may be referred to a specialist, such as an otolaryngologist. A specialist will want to see your child in the first few days after the procedure to ensure proper healing and avoid complications.
Surgery is also a treatment option for people who are dissatisfied with the appearance of their noses after a break. In addition to restoring the shape of the nose, this type of surgery can correct bent septums, restore airflow, and correct nasal deformities.
Complications
Symptoms of a broken nose include pain, swelling, and discharge of mucus. If you have a broken nose, it is important to get medical attention as soon as possible. It can lead to complications, and surgery may be needed.
The first treatment for a broken nose may be pain medicine. This can be acetaminophen or ibuprofen. It may also include applying ice to reduce swelling. These medicines should be avoided for people with high blood pressure or liver disease.
If the bones in the nose are displaced, the doctor may be able to push them back into place. This is done by moving the nose or inserting special instruments into the nostrils. Once the bones are pushed back into place, the doctor can return them to their normal position.
Surgery may be necessary if there is a deviated septum. The septum is a thin wall separating the two sides of the nose. When the septum is displaced, it can narrow the nasal passage and cause breathing problems. The doctor will be able to realign the septum and return it to its normal position.
If there is significant bleeding, NSAID pain medicine may be prescribed. However, it is important to delay taking NSAID pain medicine for 24 hours. This will reduce the risk of NSAID-induced Reye syndrome.
It is also important to avoid activities that may cause further injury. The doctor may also recommend not wearing glasses during the healing process. A CT scan may be needed if other facial fractures are suspected.
The first visit for a broken nose is generally conducted by your primary care provider. He will ask about your history of medical conditions, the type of injury you experienced, and the details of your accident. He will also conduct a physical exam. If the fracture is minor, it may be treated in his office. If it is more severe or there is a persistent deformity, the doctor may refer you to a special doctor for surgery.
After your surgery, you should avoid public activities for a week. You will also need to avoid using the nose for blowing for a few days. You may also be asked to wear a splint. The doctor will also instruct you on how to care for the splint.
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U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
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Health A-Z. (2022, April 26). Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/health-a-z-4014770
Harvard Health. (2015, November 17). Health A to Z. https://www.health.harvard.edu/health-a-to-z
Health Conditions A-Z Sitemap. (n.d.). EverydayHealth.com. https://www.everydayhealth.com/conditions/
