Broken Nose

A broken nose (nasal fracture) is when you break or crack bones or damage cartilage in your nose. It’s a common facial fracture. You should get medical care right away if you think you have a broken nose. Prompt treatment may help you avoid permanent damage to your nose.

Symptoms of a nasal fracture

Broken nose symptoms may include:

• Bloody nose
• Bruises around your eyes and nose
• Crackling or crunching sound when you touch your nose
• Crooked nose
• Feeling like something is stuck in your nose
• Issues breathing through your nose
• Mucus draining from your nose
• Pain and tenderness when you touch your nose
• Swelling around your nose

Broken nose causes

A broken nose is a type of blunt force trauma. This is an injury that can happen if someone or something hits your nose, or if you fall and hit your nose. You may have a nasal fracture if you’re:

• In a motor vehicle accident
• Hit during a physical fight
• Hurt while playing sports

Complications of a broken nose

This injury can cause a septal hematoma, or blood pooling in your septum. The septum is the tissue (cartilage and bone) that separates your nostrils.

A septal hematoma can lead to serious issues, like:

• A hole (perforation) in your septum
• Saddle nose, when the bridge of your nose collapses
• Tissue in your nose starting to die (necrosis)

How doctors diagnose a broken nose

A healthcare provider will do a physical exam. They’ll gently press around the bridge of your nose. They’ll check the inside of your nose to see if something is blocking it. They may do imaging tests, like X-rays or CT scans, if they think you may have other facial injuries.

How is a nasal fracture treated?

Treatments range from putting ice on your broken nose to having surgery to repair it. The treatment that’s right for you depends on the severity of your injuries.

Ice or pain relievers

Putting an ice pack on your nose may help with swelling and other symptoms. Over-the-counter pain relievers, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can help with pain.

Draining a septal hematoma

Blood that pools in your septum can lead to complications. Your provider may drain blood from your septum within 24 hours.

Manual realignment

This procedure helps if your nasal bones and cartilage are knocked out of place (alignment). Your healthcare provider may do this procedure a few days after your injury. They will:

1. Use local anesthesia to numb your nose (or use general anesthesia if your nose is very damaged)
2. Gently push your nose bones and cartilage back where they belong
3. Place gauze packing inside your nose and a dressing on the outside of your nose
4. Place a temporary splint on your nose
5. Give you antibiotics to prevent infection

You’ll be able to remove the packing and dressing in about two weeks.

Surgery

You may need surgery if you can’t breathe through your broken nose or your nose is severely damaged. Surgical options include:

• Septoplasty: This procedure reshapes your septum, repairs any holes in your septum and improves breathing. Your surgeon may remove parts of the bone and cartilage so they can reshape and reposition the underlying structures.
• Rhinoplasty: During this procedure, your surgeon creates a new nose shape and removes obstructions. They’ll reduce or rearrange the underlying bone and cartilage.

Recovery time

In general, a nasal fracture heals in six to eight weeks. But your recovery time may be different. Your healthcare provider or surgeon will explain how long it’ll take for you to recover.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

You should contact your provider if:

• Your nose still hurts and/or is swollen several weeks after treatment
• You can’t breathe through your nose

You should go to the emergency room if:

• Your nose starts to bleed or keeps bleeding after your follow-up treatment
• Your nose starts to drain clear, watery fluid that’s not mucus
• You develop a severe headache

What can I expect if I have a broken nose?

Get medical care right away if you think you may have a broken nose. You may not need anything other than ice and painkillers to treat it. But you could need treatment or surgery if you have a severe fracture, or if your nose is broken in more than one place. Getting treatment right away can reduce your risk of complications.

How can I tell if my nose is broken?

Nasal fracture symptoms may start right away and include:

• Swelling that affects your nose and face
• Bleeding from your nose
• Pain when you touch it
• Changes in your nose so it looks crooked or bent

How do I sleep with a broken nose?

Try propping your head and shoulders on a stack of pillows. This can help with swelling, which can make it hard to get a good night’s rest. Ask your healthcare provider about taking a decongestant to make it easier to breathe through your nose.