Do you have a broken nose? When the bone or cartilage of your nose gets cracked, you suffer from a nasal fracture. Usually, the break appears on the septum or bridge of your nose. Your nose can get broken for many reasons, like a sudden impact from walking into a wall. But the real question is, what to do for a broken nose?
In this blog, we’ll mention what you should do if you fracture your nose. Moreover, we’ll also mention the signs of a broken nose. Carry on reading to learn how to deal with a fractured nose.
Broken Nose Symptoms
If your nose really is broken, some symptoms will occur. Hence, your nose could be:
- Bent or crooked
- Swollen
- Bleeding
- Painful
- Stuffy, probably due to blocked nasal pages
- Bruised
- Making grating sounds or feel like that when you move it
You shouldn’t hesitate to visit the doctor if your broken nose is showing these symptoms:
- Bleeding heavily
- Draining clear fluid
- Difficulty breathing
- Looks misshapen
What to do When You Have a Broken Nose?
A fractured nose can be minor or severe. Your doctor can evaluate the injury and determine what to do for the broken nose. Below, we’ll go over what tending to a broken nose at home or receiving medical treatment includes.
What to Do For a Broken Nose at Home
When you break your nose, don’t panic; you might make it worse. Instead, here is what you can do for a broken nose if you can’t get to your doctor for the facial trauma immediately:
- Sit down and lean forward to avoid blood from draining down your throat. Furthermore, breathe through your mouth.
- If your broken nose is not bleeding, you can reduce the throbbing pain by elevating your head.
- Apply a cold compress to the fractured nose for 15 to 20 minutes. You can also use ice wrapped in a washcloth. This will help reduce swelling; make sure to do it three to four times daily.
- Consult your doctor on pain-relieving medications.
It is best to visit your doctor immediately to evaluate and treat facial trauma. Otherwise, you may overlook a serious complication. Sometimes, the broken nose doesn’t require immediate medical treatment, but visiting a doctor can help.
Medical Treatment for a Nasal Fracture
If your broken nose has severe injuries, your doctor might suggest one of the following:
- Packing the nose with gauze, maybe even placing a splint on it.
- Pain medications
- Antibiotics (in some cases)
- Close Reduction Surgery
- Septorhinoplasty
Your healthcare provider will wait until the swelling goes down, which is usually 3 to 10 days. For minor fractures, medical treatment may not be what you need to do for a broken nose. Still, in any case, medical assessment by a credible doctor is important. This way, they can determine what kind of treatment your injury calls for.
What to Do?
If you don’t know what to do for a broken nose, our Katy Cypress Oral Surgery experts can guide you. Dial (281) 667-0607 to reach out to us and get started on the best treatment for you.