Nasal Fracture A nasal fracture is a break or crack in the bones of the nose. Minor breaks do not require treatment. These breaks usually heal on their own in about a month. Serious breaks may require surgery. CAUSES This condition is usually caused by a blunt injury to the nose. This type of injury often occurs from: • Contact sports. • Car accidents. • Falls. • Getting punched. SYMPTOMS Symptoms of this condition include: • Pain. • Swelling of the nose. • Bleeding from the nose. • Bruising around the nose or eyes. You may have black eyes. • Crooked appearance of the nose. DIAGNOSIS This condition may be diagnosed with a physical exam. Your health care provider will gently feel your nose for signs of broken bones. X-rays of the …show more content…
• If your nose starts bleeding, squeeze the soft parts of the nose against the center wall while you are sitting in an upright position for 10 minutes. • Return to your normal activities as directed by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you. • Avoid contact sports for 3–4 weeks or as directed by your health care provider. • Keep all follow-up visits as directed by your health care provider. This is important. SEEK MEDICAL CARE IF: • Your pain increases or becomes severe. • You continue to have nosebleeds. • The shape of your nose does not return to normal within 5 days. • You have pus draining from the nose. SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE IF: • You have bleeding from your nose that does not stop after 20 minutes of pinching the nostrils closed and keeping ice on the nose. • You have clear fluid draining from your nose. • You notice a grape-like swelling on the dividing wall between the nostrils (septum). This is a collection of blood (hematoma) that must be drained to help prevent infection. • You have difficulty moving your eyes. • You have recurrent