A nose break can result from a variety of things, whether physical fights, playful wrestling, even rough sports or accidents like car crashes and falling. Whatever the reason, there are a few things you should know about when dealing with a broken nose.
Initial Care
In many cases, if the break is minor and your nose has not come out of place, you can take care of your broken nose yourself. In cases like this, you can often avoid a trip to the emergency room and instead go for a check up with your local doctor to learn how to care for the injury yourself.
First of all, take the same steps you would take with a severe bloody nose. You do not want blood draining down the back of your throat, so lean forward and breathe through your mouth.
Secondly, swelling will be the largest immediate sign of a broken nose, so control it with ice. You should put ice on your nose as soon as you can after injury. You should then use ice at least four times a day for the next day or two. Although it may feel good, only use ice for 15 minutes at a time and wrap it in cloth. Your nose is especially vulnerable to getting frostbite if you overuse ice, so make sure not to press the ice down hard.
You can also keep the swelling down by keeping your head elevated. This is especially important when you sleep. Painkillers are also a good plan, as they will help with the swelling as well as pain.
Closed Reduction
If the break is serious enough that either the bones or cartilage in your nose has come out of place, you will need either a closed reduction or a surgery. A closed reduction is a better option if the break is still fairly mild and you can see your doctor within two weeks of the injury. In these circumstances, your doctor can use special instruments to realign your nose without cutting it open. Obviously, recovery is much quicker from this procedure and it is much less invasive, therefore having fewer potential risks.
Rhinoplasty for Injuries
Sometimes a rhinoplasty is needed to realign the bones in your nose. This is essentially the same procedure that you would get to alter the appearance of your nose even if it had not been broken, but is often needed when a break is very severe or the nose was broken some time ago and the appearance has changed.
Rhinoplasty is a significant procedure and although most of the discomfort is greatly reduced after one week, you will need to be conscious of your nose for some time after the surgery is complete.
Make sure to go to a rhinoplasty expert for your procedure and to follow all preparation instructions your doctor or the surgeon may give you. This can include what medications you may need to take or stop taking before or after the surgery, as well as any effects the surgery or anesthetic may have.
If you have questions about treatment for a broken nose contact your local doctor, who will arrange for you to see a rhinoplasty specialist.
