A broken nose, or nasal fracture, is a crack or fracture of the bony structures that support the cartilage at the front of the nose. It can be one of several facial injuries that occur at the same time or an isolated injury on its own. According to Medline Plus, a broken nose is the most common fracture of the face.
Symptoms
A broken nose causes pain and swelling of the nose and the nose can be visibly misshapen or bent. Someone with a nasal fracture might experience nosebleeds or expel mucus through the nose. Bruising around the nose and eye areas also can accompany a broken nose. The nasal passages can feel blocked and breathing through the nose might be difficult. According to MayoClinic.com, the symptoms of a nasal fracture can take up to three days to appear.
Causes
The basic cause of a broken nose is traumatic injury, which can be sustained from an accident, such as a car accident, a fall or violence, such as during a fight. People who play sports, especially contact sports, can incur a nasal fracture from an impact during a game.
First Aid
First aid for a broken nose involves easing pain and providing relief until the person can get proper medical care. If the person is experiencing nasal bleeding, he should sit leaning forward so that the blood flows out of the nose, explains Medline Plus. A cold compress or bag of ice can be pressed lightly to the nose for up to 15 minutes at a time to reduce swelling and pain. The injured person also might want to take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen.
Medical Treatment
Closed reduction is a nonsurgical procedure that can be used to manually realign the nasal bones if done within about two weeks of the initial break. This procedure cannot be done immediately after the break, since swelling inhibits the ability of the doctor to see and manipulate the nasal structures. Instead, closed reduction is typically performed three to five days after the injury. In a closed reduction, the doctor applies an anesthetic, opens up the nostrils and physically manipulates the bones back into position. If it's too late for closed reduction or the break is severe, a surgery called rhinoplasty might be required to fix the bones of the nose.
Complications
A broken nose might be accompanied by complications or other injuries. Many people with a broken nose also experience neck injuries or fracturing of the cartilage as well as the bone. A deviated septum occurs when the thin wall between the left and right sides of the nasal cavity shifts to one side. In some people, a nose fracture can cause a septal hematoma, an accumulation of blood in the nasal passages that can block the nostrils and damage cartilage. A septal hematoma might cause permanent disfigurement or a painful abscess if left untreated.
