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WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
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, many emergency rooms order an x-ray, and surgery
may be necessary. X-rays often fail to detect a nasal fracture, so Dr. Sinha
may delay them for 1 to 4 days after the injury, or until the swelling has
gone down. Often, an x-ray is not even needed and a fracture can be diagnosed
on physical examination. If skin was scratched or torn during the accident,
you may also have to get a tetanus shot as well have the laceration repaired.
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 Dr. Sinha 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.