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). With some fractures, the "nasal septum" is also damaged. This is the cartilage that divides the 2 sides of the nose.

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 place, the fracture is more serious.

What are the symptoms of a nose fracture? — Symptoms 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? — 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. These are imaging tests that create pictures of the inside of the body.

How are nose fractures treated? — Treatment depends, in part, on the type of fracture and how serious it is.

If your nose bones are in the right place 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 place, the bones need to be put back in the correct place. Doctors can sometimes put the nose bones back in the right place 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. The doctor or nurse will talk to you about when to return to things like work, sports, or other activities.

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

How do I care for myself at home? — To care for yourself or your child at home:

●Follow the doctor's instructions for limiting activity and movement until the bone is healed. The doctor or nurse will tell you what activities are safe to do.

●Do not remove any nose packing or bandages until you are told to.

●For the first 1 to 2 days after the injury, you can help reduce swelling by:

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

•Putting ice on the 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 the skin. Use the ice (or other cold object) for at least 6 hours after the injury. Some people find it helpful to ice longer, even up to 2 days after their injury.

●The doctor might recommend that you take an over-the-counter pain medicine. These include acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol), ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve).

●Some people get a prescription for stronger pain medicines to take for a short time. Follow the instructions for taking these.

●Eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of calcium, vitamin D, and protein (figure 2).

●If you smoke, try to stop. Broken bones take longer to heal if you smoke.

When should I call the doctor? — 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 have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or a bad headache.

●You are having any problems seeing or moving your eye.

More on this topic

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)