A nose fracture is a break in the bones of the nose.
Causes
A broken nose is caused by a blunt, hard blow to the nose. It often occurs along with injuries to other parts of the nose and face.
Risk Factors
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease, condition, or injury. Risk factors for a nose fracture include:
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Previous nose fracture or nose injury
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Participating in sports (especially contact sports)
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Reckless behavior during recreational activities or driving
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Failure to wear a seatbelt
Symptoms
Symptoms of a broken nose include:
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Pain in the nose or surrounding area of the face
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Swelling of the nose or surrounding area of the face
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Bleeding from the nose (often heavy)
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Discoloration of the nose
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Black eyes
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Crooked or misshapen appearance of the nose (may not appear until swelling subsides)
Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and how the injury occurred, and examine your nose for:
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Irregularities in the shape
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Movement of the bones of the nose
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Rough sensation when your nose is moved
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Pain or tenderness to touch
Unless there is an obvious deformity, it is often necessary to wait several days for the swelling to subside before a broken nose can be diagnosed.
Tests will include:
Treatment
Treatment includes:
Ice–Apply ice or a cold pack to your nose for 15-20 minutes, several times a day for several days. This helps reduce pain and swelling. Wrap the ice or cold pack in a towel. Do not apply the ice directly to your skin.
Medication–The following drugs help reduce inflammation and pain:
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Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)
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Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)
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Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
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Aspirin
Setting the Bones–The doctor may:
Surgery–Surgery to set the fracture may be needed if:
Prevention
Broken noses may not always be preventable. To reduce your risk of a broken nose:
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Wear protective headgear with face masks when playing contact sports, or when riding a bicycle or motorcycle.
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Wear a seat belt when driving or riding in a car.
RESOURCES:
American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery
http://www.cosmeticsurgery.org
American Academy of Family Physicians
http://www.aafp.org
References:
American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at: http://www.aafp.org.
The Merck Manual of Medical Information—Home Edition. Simon and Schuster; 2000.
National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health website. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/.
