Patient education: Nose fracture (The Basics)

What is a nose fracture? — A "fracture" is another word for a broken bone. A nose fracture is when a person breaks a bone in the nose (figure 1).

There are different kinds of nose fractures, depending on how the bone breaks. Some fractures are more serious than others. If the bone is only cracked, the fracture is usually not as serious. But if a bone is pushed out of position, the fracture is more serious.

What are the symptoms of a nose fracture? — Symptoms of a nose fracture include:

●Pain

●Swelling

●Bruising of the nose or the area around the nose

●Trouble breathing through the nose

●Bleeding from the nose or clear fluid draining from the nose

●Being unable to smell

A nose fracture can also make the nose look crooked or bent.

What if my nose is bleeding? — If your nose is bleeding, you can follow these steps to help stop the bleeding:

●Bend forward a little at the waist when you sit or stand. Do not lie down or tilt your head back.

●Firmly pinch together the soft area toward the bottom of your nose, below the bone, using your thumb and finger (picture 1)

●Hold a cold gel pack, bag of ice, or bag of frozen vegetables on your nose for a few minutes at a time. Put a thin towel between the ice (or other cold object) and your skin.

If the bleeding continues, you can gently put some gauze or a cotton ball in your nose. But if you can't get the bleeding to stop, or if the blood is coming very quickly, see a doctor or nurse.

Will I need tests? — Some people need tests. Your doctor or nurse will ask about your injury and symptoms, and do an exam. Depending on your injury and symptoms, they might do an X-ray or CT scan. A CT scan is an imaging test that creates pictures of the inside of the body.

How are nose fractures treated? – For the first 1 to 2 days after your injury, you can help reduce swelling by:

●Keeping your head above the level of your heart (and not lying down flat)

●Putting ice on your nose – You can put a cold gel pack, bag of ice, or bag of frozen vegetables on the injured area every 1 to 2 hours, for 15 minutes each time. Put a thin towel between the ice (or other cold object) and your skin. Use the ice (or other cold object) for at least 6 hours after your injury. Some people find it helpful to ice longer, even up to 2 days after their injury.

If you have a lot of pain or a severe fracture, your doctor will prescribe a strong pain medicine. If you have a mild fracture, they will recommend that you take an over-the-counter medicine for your pain. Over-the-counter medicines include acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol), ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve).

Other treatment depends on how mild or severe your nose fracture is. If your nose bones are in the correct position and you can breathe through both nostrils, your nose fracture is mild. You probably won't need other treatment. But your doctor might want to check your nose again after the swelling has gotten better.

If you have a collection of blood in your nose, the doctor will drain the blood. Then they will put "packing material" in your nose for a few days to stop the bleeding.

If your injury pushed your nose bones out of position, the bones will need to be put back in the correct position. Doctors can sometimes put the nose bones back in the correct position by doing a procedure.

But if this procedure doesn't work, or you have a severe nose fracture, you will need surgery.

How long do nose fractures take to heal? — Most nose fractures take weeks to heal. The healing time depends on how mild or severe the fracture is.

Healing time also depends on the person. Healthy children usually heal much more quickly than older adults or adults with other medical problems.

Can I do anything to help the healing process? — Yes. It's important to follow all of your doctor's instructions while your nose fracture is healing. For example, they might recommend that you avoid doing certain activities.

When should I call my doctor or nurse? — Call for advice if:

●Your pain or swelling gets worse

●Your nose is bleeding a lot, or clear fluid is leaking from your nose

●You are having trouble breathing

●You are having any problems seeing or moving your eye

More on this topic

Patient education: Fractures (The Basics)
Patient education: Facial fractures (The Basics)
Patient education: Nosebleeds (The Basics)
Patient education: Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (The Basics)
Patient education: Giving your child over-the-counter medicines (The Basics)

Patient education: Nosebleeds (epistaxis) (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (Beyond the Basics)