Nose fracture
Fracture of the nose; Broken nose; Nasal fracture; Nasal bone fracture; Nasal septal fractureA nose fracture is a break in the bone or cartilage over the bridge, or in the sidewall or septum (structure that divides the nostrils) of the nose.
Considerations
A fractured nose is the most common fracture of the face. It most often occurs after an injury and often occurs with other fractures of the face.
Fracture
If more pressure is put on a bone than it can stand, it will split or break. A break of any size is called a fracture. If the broken bone punctures...
Nose injuries and neck injuries are often seen together. A blow that is forceful enough to injure the nose may be hard enough to injure the neck.
Serious nose injuries cause problems that need a health care provider's attention right away. For example, damage to the cartilage can cause a collection of blood to form inside the nose. If this blood is not drained right away, it can cause an abscess or a permanent deformity that blocks the nose. It may lead to tissue death and cause the nose to collapse.
Abscess
An abscess is a collection of pus in any part of the body. In most cases, the area around an abscess is swollen and inflamed.
For minor nose injuries, the provider may want to see the person within the first week after the injury to see if the nose has moved out of its normal shape.
Sometimes, surgery may be needed to correct a nose or septum that has been bent out of shape by an injury. A doctor may be able to return nasal bones that have moved out of place back to their normal position within the first 2 weeks after the break.
Symptoms
Symptoms may include:
- Blood coming from the nose
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Bruising around the eyes
Bruising
Bleeding into the skin can occur from broken blood vessels that form tiny red dots (called petechiae). Blood also can collect under the tissue in la...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Difficulty breathing through the nose
- Misshapen appearance (may not be apparent until the swelling goes down)
- Pain
- Swelling
The bruised appearance most often disappears after 2 weeks.
First Aid
If a nose injury happens:
- Try to stay calm.
- Breathe through your mouth and lean forward in a sitting position to keep blood from going down the back of your throat.
- Squeeze the nostrils closed and hold pressure to stop the bleeding.
- Apply cold compresses to your nose to reduce swelling. If possible, hold the compress so that there isn't too much pressure on the nose.
- To help relieve pain, try acetaminophen (Tylenol).
Do Not
If a nose injury happens or if someone may have a broken nose:
- DO NOT try to straighten a broken nose.
- DO NOT move the person if there is reason to suspect a head or neck injury.
Neck injury
The spinal cord contains the nerves that carry messages between your brain and the rest of the body. The cord passes through your neck and back. A ...
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When to Contact a Medical Professional
Get medical help right away if:
- Bleeding does not stop
- Clear fluid keeps draining from the nose
- You suspect a blood clot in the septum
Blood clot
Blood clots are clumps that occur when blood hardens from a liquid to a solid. A blood clot that forms inside one of your veins or arteries is calle...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - You suspect a neck or head injury
Head injury
A head injury is any trauma to the scalp, skull, or brain. Head injury can be either closed or open (penetrating). A closed head injury means you rec...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - The nose looks deformed or out of its usual shape
- The person is having difficulty breathing
Difficulty breathing
Breathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathing Uncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough air
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Prevention
Wear protective headgear while playing contact sports, or riding bicycles, skateboards, roller skates, or rollerblades.
Use seat belts and appropriate car seats when driving.
References
Chegar BE, Tatum SA. Nasal fractures. In: Flint PW, Francis HW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 30.
Kim L, Huddle MG, Smith RM, Byrne P. Nasal fractures. In: Dorafshar AH, Rodriguez ED, Manson PN, eds. Facial Trauma Surgery. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 1.10.
Mayersak RJ. Facial trauma. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 34.
Rodriguez ED, Dorafshar AH, Manson PN. Facial injuries. In: Rodriguez ED, Losee JE, Neligan PC, eds. Plastic Surgery: Volume 3: Craniofacial, Head and Neck Surgery and Pediatric Plastic Surgery. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 3.
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Nasal fracture - illustration
A nasal fracture is a break in the bone over the ridge of the nose. It usually results from a blunt injury and is one of the most common facial fracture. Symptoms of a broken nose include pain, blood coming from the nose, bruising around the eyes, misshapen appearance, swelling, and difficulty breathing through the nose. Serious nose injuries can cause problems that require immediate attention. However, for minor nose injuries, the doctor may prefer to see the victim after the swelling subsides to evaluate the extent of injury.
Nasal fracture
illustration
-
Nasal fracture - illustration
A nasal fracture is a break in the bone over the ridge of the nose. It usually results from a blunt injury and is one of the most common facial fracture. Symptoms of a broken nose include pain, blood coming from the nose, bruising around the eyes, misshapen appearance, swelling, and difficulty breathing through the nose. Serious nose injuries can cause problems that require immediate attention. However, for minor nose injuries, the doctor may prefer to see the victim after the swelling subsides to evaluate the extent of injury.
Nasal fracture
illustration
Review Date: 11/29/2022
Reviewed By: Josef Shargorodsky, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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