NOSE INJURY

Symptoms | When to call | Homecare Advice

HOME CARE ADVICE FOR Minor INJURY

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
- It's hard to diagnose a broken nose because of nasal swelling (most swollen noses have no fracture).
- 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.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

Reviewed 8/2004

Revised 7/2004

View Anatomic Index of Topics