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Nose Injury

Description

Injuries to the inside or outside of the nose.

Types of Nose Injuries

  • Bloody nose without a fracture
  • Swelling and bruising of the nose without a fracture
  • Blood clot of the central wall of the nose with risk of cartilage damage and deformed nose
  • Fracture of the nose. Severe fractures of the nose (e.g. crooked nose) are usually reset the same day in the operating room. Most surgeons don't repair mild fractures until 5 to 7 days after the injury

When to Call Your Doctor for Nose Injury

Call 911 Now If:

  • Major bleeding that can't be stopped
  • Fainted or too weak to stand

Call Your Doctor Now If:

  • You think your child has a serious injury
  • Nosebleed that won't stop after 20 minutes of squeezing the nostrils closed
  • Skin is split open or gaping and may need stitches
  • Very deformed or crooked nose
  • Clear fluid is dripping from the nose and not due to crying
  • Breathing through the nose is blocked on one side or both sides
  • Age < 1 year old

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours If:

  • You think your child needs to be seen
  • Shape of the nose has not returned to normal after 5 days

Call Your Doctor During Weekday Hours If:

  • You have other questions or concerns

Home Care (Read "Call Your Doctor…" first):

Pain Medicine

Give acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) or ibuprofen as needed for pain relief.

Bleeding

For superficial cuts or scrapes, apply direct pressure for 10 minutes with a sterile gauze to stop any bleeding.

Cleansing

Then wash the area with soap and water for 5 minutes. If a large area, apply an antibiotic ointment and cover with a Band-Aid for 1 day.

Nosebleeds

To stop a nose bleed, squeeze the soft parts of the nose against the center wall for 10 minutes to apply pressure to the bleeding point.

Concerns About Missing a Minor Nasal Fracture

  • A swollen nose usually is not broken
  • If it is broken, standard practice is to delay correction until the swelling is gone
  • The swelling interferes with diagnosis and treatment
  • X-rays are often not helpful because injuries to the cartilage do not show up (most of the nose is cartilage)

Looking at the nose after the swelling is gone (day 5 to 7) is the best way to tell if it is really fractured. It will look crooked or different than it used to.

Delayed correction also helps the surgeon better see what he is changing. In addition, it's safe to delay the treatment of a mild nasal fracture

Call Your Doctor If:

  • Pain becomes severe
  • Shape of the nose has not returned to normal after 5 days
  • Signs of infection occur (a yellow discharge, increasing tenderness or fever)
  • Your child becomes worse or develops any of the "Call Your Doctor…" symptoms

Parent Care for Pediatric Symptoms. Copyright 2000-2006.