Fact Checked
Overview Of A Broken Nose
- A broken nose is a standard injury, generally caused by direct force to the face.
- The majority of broken noses heal by themselves and can be managed at home.
- The inflammation should subside within a week, and the blemishing should fade after about two weeks.
Identifying A Broken Nose
A broken nose will be sore, inflamed and red. Other distinctive symptoms are:
- Contusion surrounding the eyes
- A bleeding nose
- Sensitivity when the nose is touched
- A crunching or snapping sound when the nose is touched
- The nose may appear distorted
- There might be difficulty breathing through the nose. It will feel like something is blocking it.
- In most cases, broken noses can be cared for in the comfort of your own home, and medical treatment isn’t compulsory, particularly if the skin and septum are undamaged.
Treating Your Nose At Home
You can generally treat your broken nose at home, by applying the following guidelines:
- Place an ice pack on the nose for about 20 minutes. This should be done every hour for the first few days. Frozen peas in a towel can also be used.
- Support your head up in bed by sleeping on a couple of pillows. This will decrease the swelling.
- Take some pain relievers such as ibuprofen to ease the pain.
- If there are any problems breathing through the nose, use a nasal decongestant to assist you in breathing more easily (don’t use for more than 5 days though, as congestion can get worse).
- If you notice loss of blood from your nose, tilt your head forward to stop blood dripping down your throat.
When To Visit Your Doctor
Phone your doctor if:
- The pain increases or is not alleviated by pain relievers (your doctor might be able to recommend a stronger painkiller)
- The inflammation doesn’t decrease after a few days
- The inflammation has decreased, but you still have trouble breathing through your nose
- Your nose appears bent
- You are experiencing a high fever
Related Video On A Broken Nose
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwANiZa-KCY