Nose Injury

Symptoms

DEFINITION

• Injuries to the inside or outside of the nose

Types of Nose Injuries

• Bloody nose without a fracture
• Swelling and bruising of the nose without a fracture
• Blood clot of the central wall of the nose with risk of cartilage damage and deformed nose
• Fracture of the nose. Severe fractures of the nose (e.g., crooked nose) are usually reset the same day in the operating room. Most surgeons don't repair mild fractures until 5 to 7 days after the injury. Caution: A nasal fracture must be re-set before 10 days.

Should I Call?

WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR

Care at Home

HOME CARE ADVICE FOR MINOR NOSE INJURY

1. Nosebleed: To stop a nose bleed, squeeze the soft parts of the nose against the center wall for 10 minutes to apply pressure to the bleeding point.
2. Skin Bleeding: For superficial cuts or scrapes, apply direct pressure for 10 minutes with a sterile gauze to stop any bleeding.
3. Cleansing: Then wash the area with soap and water for 5 minutes. If a large area, apply an antibiotic ointment such as Polysporin (no prescription needed). Then cover with a Band-Aid for 1 day.
4. Pain Medicine: Give acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen as needed for pain relief.
5. Concerns About Missing a Minor Nasal Fracture:
   • If a swollen nose is the only finding, usually it's not broken.
   • Even if it is broken, standard practice is to delay correction until the swelling is gone. (Reason: The swelling interferes seeing the shape of the nose.)
   • It's hard to diagnose a broken nose because of nasal swelling (most swollen noses have no fracture).
   • X-rays are often not helpful. (Reason: Injuries to the cartilage do not show up on X-ray and most of the nose is cartilage.)
   • Looking at the nose after the swelling is gone (on day 4 or 5) is the best way to tell if it is really fractured. It will look different than it used to. Delayed correction also helps the surgeon better see what needs to be corrected.
   • Caution: If the nose is broken, an ENT surgeon must correct it (re-set it) BEFORE the 10th day.
6. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Pain becomes severe
   • Nasal passage becomes blocked
   • Shape of the nose has not returned to normal after 4 days
   • Signs of infection occur (a yellow discharge, increasing tenderness or fever)
   • Your child becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.