A broken nose, also called a nasal fracture, is a common injury that involves a break or crack in a bone in your nose. It can be caused from involvement in contact sports, physical fights, car accidents, or others that may result in a blow to the face. A broken nose can cause pain, swelling and bruising around the nose or under the eyes. It may take up to 2-3 weeks to heel and can often be treated at home.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms for a broken nose include:
- Pain or sensitivity when touching the nose
- Swelling and tenderness around the area
- Nosebleeds
- Bruising around the nose and under the eyes
- Deformity
- Difficulty breathing through the nose
Causes
Possible causes for a broken nose may include:
- Sporting injuries
- Physical fights
- Car accidents
- Falls
Risk Factors
A few activities that may pose an increased risk to sustaining a broken nose may include:
- Riding a bike or playing sports such as football and hockey without protective gear
- Getting involved in a physical fight
- Weight lifting
- Riding in a car without a seat belt
Complications
Complications of a broken nose may include:
- Septal hematoma: Blood clogging of the nostrils
- Deviated septum: Displacement of the wall between the nostrils
- Cartilage fracture
- Neck injury
Prevention
A few recommendations for preventing an unexpected nose injury may include:
- Wearing protective gear when riding a bike or playing sports
- Wearing a seat belt when driving a car
