Fractured Nose - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

A fractured nose is the most common facial fracture. Any blow to the nose can cause a break. The injury is typically sustained during athletics or in a fall. The severity of the fracture depends on the direction, force, and type of the blow. The patient may not need treatment unless he has suffered bone displacement, septal deviation, or a cosmetic deformity. The major symptoms of most facial injuries are pain, swelling, bleeding, and bruising. A severe comminuted fracture may cause extreme swelling or bleeding that may jeopardize the airway and require a tracheotomy during early treatment. Serious nose injuries cause problems that require immediate professional attention. These symptoms linger for weeks or months, and in severe cases can be permanent. Double vision for months after the injury is not uncommon. Treatment depends on how bad the fracture is. Nasal fractures should be reduced within the first 24 hours if possible, using local anesthesia for an adult and general anesthesia for a child. Severe swelling may delay treatment for several days to per week, making reduction more difficult.

Causes of Fractured Nose

The common causes and risk factor's of Fractured Nose:

• Direct trauma.
• Motor vehicle accident.
• Participation in sports, fights, and other violent acts, and being hit by an object accidentally, for instance being hit by a baseball while watching a game.

Symptoms of Fractured Nose

Some sign and symptoms related to Fractured Nose are as follows:

• Tenderness.
• Bruising, and bleeding can be expected.
• Pain.
• Swelling.
• Blood coming from the nose.
• Swollen nose.
• Deformity.

Treatment of Fractured Nose

• The patient may not need treatment unless he has suffered bone displacement, septal deviation, or a cosmetic deformity.
• Apply cold compresses to the nose to reduce swelling. If possible, the victim should hold the compress so that excessive pressure is not applied.
• If CSF leakage occurs, the patient needs close observation and antibiotic therapy.
• Use Afrin or Neo-synephrine nasal spray for bleeding if directed by your child's doctor.