Believe You Have a Broken Nose? Explaining Symptoms & Treatments

Being the most common facial injury, a broken nose occurs when the bone that runs along the bridge of your nose gets cracked or broken. Also called a nasal fracture, a broken nose can typically heal on its own within three weeks. However, to avoid permanent nasal damage, it’s highly recommended to visit a doctor even if you’ve only experienced a partial cartilage fracture. To determine the severity of your broken nose, below we detail common causes, symptoms, and treatments that are associated with nasal fractures.

What Causes a Broken Nose?

A broken nose is usually caused by an impact to the face. The act of falling, participating in contact sports, getting in a fight, enduring a car accident, and various other physical altercations can all result in a painful broken nose. 

What Are Symptoms of a Broken Nose?

It can be difficult to diagnose a broken nose during its first few days due to how swelling can disguise how crooked the nasal bridge really is. While a broken nose accounts for 50% of all facial fractures, it’s safe to say that you’re experiencing a broken nose if it’s bruised and swollen. Other symptoms of a broken nose includes:

• Pain emitting from your nose.
• Persistent nosebleeds.
• Bruising around your eyes.
• Difficulty inhaling and exhaling through your nose.
• Nasal drainage.
• A crunching noise when you touch your nose.
• A visibly crooked nose.
• A deviated septum.

How Can I Treat My Broken Nose?

As soon as one thinks they’ve broken their nose, it’s important to stay calm and focus on breathing through your mouth. If your nose is bleeding, sit down and lean forward to prevent the blood from going down the back of your through. Without much pressure, apply a cold compress to your nose to prevent swelling and take some Aspirin to help relieve pain. If your nose is visibly crooked, under no circumstances is it recommended to try to straighten your nose. 

If your nose is visibly crooked, it’s important to visit your doctor as soon as possible. In severe cases, surgery may be required to move the bone or cartilage back into it’s correct place. In these cases, you’ll usually be sent home in a nose splint and with an antibiotic prescription to help prevent infections. Following surgery, a broken nose will generally be rechecked by a doctor within a three-day period.

While we recommend you should visit your doctor if you believe you’re experiencing a broken nose, if there’s no swelling or apparent nasal crookedness then there are some at-home treatments available to minimize the uncomfortable symptoms. Effective at-home treatments include:

• Placing an icepack on your nose throughout the day in 15-minute intervals.
• If you’re having trouble breathing through your nose, take an over-the-counter nasal decongestant.
• Keep your head elevated, even when your sleeping, to avoid the onset of swelling.
• Take Aspirin, or any other common over-the-counter pain medication, as directed to reduce pain.

Don’t worry, a vast majority of broken noses heal without any long-term health problems. Sometimes a nose will heal slightly crooked or leave the sufferer with breathing abnormalities, although, in these cases, reconstructive surgery is always an option.

O2 Nose Filters

For those who are aiming to reduce their risk of acquiring a broken nose, O2 Nose Filters are nasal dilators which fit along the inside of your nostrils. When wearing these filters, your nose has an extra minor layer of protection which softly pushes against your nasal barrier, therefore benefiting the overall integrity of your nose’s defenses. O2 Nose Filters are an effective solution when it comes to improving overall nasal health. Nose filters are a discreet, effective option to protect against airborne particulate matter. O2 Nose Filters uses electrostatic technology to capture allergens, viruses, and other particulate, making them a valuable tool for anyone who wants to drastically limit the pollutants and pollens they breathe in daily.