Nasal fractures, commonly referred to as a broken nose, generally occur from blunt force trauma to the face. Symptoms of a broken nose include flowing blood, difficulty breathing through the nose, pain, bruising and swelling. The nose can appear out of alignment. After receiving basic first aid, an individual needs to be evaluated by a physician to determine the proper treatment in order to prevent complications.
Emergency Treatment
Immediately after a broken nose, the injured individual requires emergency treatment to control the bleeding and swelling. Tilting the head forward helps prevent the individual from choking on blood. Applying ice packs to the bridge of the nose will help reduce swelling.
Medication
Taking oral medications can help reduce the pain of a fractured nose. Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help relieve the pain, according to MayoClinic.com. After performing a reduction or surgery on the broken nose, antibiotics can help prevent an infection.
Reduction
Some nasal fractures can cause displaced bones and cartilage in the nose. A physician will wait a few days for the swelling to recede before realigning the bones. This procedure, called a reduction, includes using a speculum to open the nostrils while using special tools to move the bones around in the nose. The physician will usually administer pain medications, including numbing the area, according to the Merck Manuals.
Surgery
Some broken noses require surgery if the physician cannot realign the bones using a closed reduction. Surgery is most common for recurring breaks, breaks in several locations and for broken noses that do not receive medical attention and a reduction within 14 days of the injury, according to MayoClinic.com. During the operation, the surgeon realigns the bones in the nose and repairs any damage to the nasal septum. Side effects of the surgery include swelling, pain and bruising.
Splinting and Packing
After realigning the bones and cartilage in the nose by reduction or surgery, the physician might pack the nostrils and splint the nose to keep the nose stabilized during the healing process. The physician places the splint on the external portion of the nose while the fracture heals, which takes about six weeks, according to the Merck Manuals.
Septal Hematoma Treatment
A nasal fracture can also cause a septal hematoma. A septal hematoma is bleeding or bruising in the section of the nose that separates the nostrils into two portions. Symptoms of a septal hematoma include difficulty breathing through the nose, congestion in the nose and pain, according to MedlinePlus. Treatment for this condition includes draining the blood from the septum and packing the nostrils to stop the bleeding.
