Any crack or fracture in the nasal bone called a broken nose that usually happens due to external trauma. Broken nose surgery realigns and reshape your nose and back the nose in the proper position. The most common causes of a broken nose are conflict, vehicle accident, falling or exercise injuries. A nasal fracture is the most common type of facial fracture. According to many studies, it includes half of the facial fracture.

Broken nose causes

Causes of a broken nose are related to a trauma to the face or nose. The most common sources of trauma are:

  • Exercise injuries
  • Individual fights
  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • falling (it is common in children)

Broken nose symptoms

Swelling, bruising and bleeding are the common symptoms of the damaged nose. Sometimes a history of a traumatic injury causes suspicion of fractured nasal bones.

The symptoms of a broken nose are including:

  • Tenderness when you touch your nose
  • Facial or nasal inflammation
  • Bruising of the nose
  • Bruising under the eyes (black eye)
  • Crooked Nose
  • Nosebleed
  • As you touch your nose, you can hear a cracking sound, creaking sensation like the time you rubbing hair between your fingers
  • Pain and difficulty breathing through the nose

When should I refer to a doctor for a broken nose?

If you have any of the following items, you should see a doctor:

  • Pain and swelling does not stop after three days
  • The form of your nose is changed
  • it is impossible to breathe through the nose even when the swelling is subsided
  • Fever
  • Repeated nose bleeding
  • The possibility of a significant injury that may need medical care

If any of the following items happen for you, it is necessary to refer to the emergency as soon as possible:

  • Nasal bleeding that lasts more than a few minutes (from one or both nostrils)
  • Bleeding does not stop
  • Draining clear fluid from the nose
  • Other injuries to the body and face
  • Nose or face laceration
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Sever, unrelenting headache
  • Frequent vomiting
  • Reduce or change in vision
  • Neck pain
  • Numbness, arm’s tingling or weakness
  • Serious injury that needs medical care

How to diagnose a broken nose?

In the emergency part of the hospital, a doctor will examine the head, neck, and nose.

  • A doctor will check inside and outside of your nose by a special instrument. You should expect some pain at this stage.
  • X-rays can be done in a special situation. A blood test is not applied because it does not alter the treatment period.
  • In the sever cases, facial CT scan may be needed.

How to fix a broken nose at home?

you can do the following actions to reduce the broken nose symptoms:

  • Place an ice pack on your nose for about 15 minutes. You can do this per hour in a day to reduce pain and swelling. Take breaks between applications and never place ice directly to your skin. A bag of frozen corn or peas can be used instead of an ice pack.
  • You can take Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen to reduce your pain. But you should use these medications according to your doctor prescription.
  • Take nasal decongestant medicine that helps to open the pathway of air.
  • Avoid using nasal decongestants without prescription, if your nose is still bleeding. You should follow medical treatment.
  • Check the warning label of the
  • These medications shouldn’t be used for more than three days.
  • When you want to sleep, elevate your head to avoid further swelling. You can place several pillows under your head.

Broken nose and medical care

  • In case of simple breaks that nasal bone has not been displaced (the nasal bone is not crooked), the doctor usually prescribes anti-pain and nasal decongestant medication and ice.
  • For considerable breaks, the doctor usually tries to realign the bone pieces. For this treatment doctor may use pain killers, local anesthesia and special nasal instrument.
  • fixing a broken nose is usually done when the swelling is subsided.
  • All nasal fracture can’t be relocated immediately.
  • All nasal fracture can’t be relocated to the emergency department. Some fractures may need to be fixed by Otolaryngologist.

If nasal bleeding last, the doctor may insert one pack into the nose.

  • A soft gauze will be placed inside the nostrils to stop nosebleed Otolaryngologist removes this packing after 2-3 days.
  • While the packing is in the nostrils, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic and anti-pain medication.
  • In case of any other injuries, further diagnostic test and related treatment will be performed.

Fixing a broken nose surgery

When there are multiple breaks or persistent deformity is happened (like a deviated septum) and inner portions of the nose are damaged, broken nose surgery may be needed.

  • Some simple surgeries can be performed in the doctor’s office.
  • Doctor pushes back the broken bone into place.
  • Special instrument and pain killer may be used.
  • Anesthesia may be injected into the nose or placed in the nostrils.
  • Other surgery may perform in the operation room.
  • These surgeries are usually more complex that include realigning the nasal bones and surrounding tissue. In this condition usually, intravenous anesthesia is applied.
  • Simple fractures that are not replaced, don’t need surgery.
  • Doctor suggest you the best treatment plan.

Few days following nasal fracture

3to5 days post-up the broken nose, when swelling and bruising is removed, you should refer to an Otolaryngologist or jaw surgeon. Primary care shouldn’t last more than 5 days. If you delay seeing a doctor, especially if it lasts more than 7-10 days, a broken bone may be set in a deformed state.

Consult with a doctor about your broken nose

Information on this section help you to prepare for a consulting session and let you know what to expect from your doctor.

What I should do?

  • Write down all the symptoms that you have experienced, also tell your doctor what you did at the time of injury?
  • Prepare a list of all medications that you are taking as well as vitamins and food supplements.
  • Write down questions that you want to ask your doctor.

For a broken nose, it is better you ask the following questions:

  • Do I need any test? (like X-ray)
  • How long will swell and bruising last?
  • Will my nose fix as before?
  • Do I need surgery?
  • Do I need to limit my activities?
  • What kind of pain killer can I take?
  • Is there any brochure that I can read at home? Is there any recommended website?

What can I expect from my doctor?

Your doctor may ask you the following questions:

  • When and how did your injury happen?
  • Does your nose look natural to you?
  • Can you easily breathe through your nose?
  • Did you participate in contact sports?

Broken nose prevention

  • Avoid alcohol and drug. Many nose breaks may occur after abuse of these drugs
  • When you participate in physical sports follow safety rules.
  • When you are riding a motor vehicle wear seatbelt.
  • Make sure your children are in a child car seat when you are driving.