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When to Call for Nose Injury

Care Advice for Minor Injury of the Nose

Nosebleed - How to Stop:

• To stop a nosebleed, squeeze the soft parts of the lower nose together. Gently press them against the center wall.
• Do this for 10 minutes to put pressure on the bleeding point.
• Use the thumb and index finger in a pinching manner.
• If the bleeding does not stop, move your point of pressure.
• A cold pack on the nose may help.
• Sit up or lean forward and breathe through the mouth during this process.
• You may swallow some blood if your nose is bleeding a lot. Do not be alarmed if you get sick and you see some blood in the vomit.
• Once the bleeding has stopped, avoid blowing or picking your nose.

Skin Bleeding - How to Stop:

• For any skin bleeding, put direct pressure on the wound.
• Use a gauze pad or clean cloth.
• Press for 10 minutes or until the bleeding has stopped.
• Noses have a good blood supply which means they bleed a lot when injured. It also means they often heal well.

Clean the Cut:

• After the skin bleeding has stopped, wash the area. Clean with soap and water for 5 minutes.
• If a large area, use an antibiotic ointment (such as Polysporin). No prescription is needed.
• Then, cover with a bandage for 1 day.

Cold Pack for Pain:

• For pain or swelling, use a cold pack. You can also use ice wrapped in a wet cloth.
• Put it on the nose for 20 minutes.
• Repeat in 1 hour, then as needed. Caution: avoid frostbite by wrapping the cold pack or ice. Do not put ice directly on the skin.

Pain Medicine:

• To help with the pain, take an acetaminophen product (such as Tylenol).
• Another choice is an ibuprofen product (such as Advil). Ibuprofen works well for this type of pain.
• Use as needed, but do not take more than the maximum recommended dosage as stated on the package.
• If you are not sure what to take, ask a pharmacist.

Concerns about a Minor Nose Fracture:

• If a swollen nose is the only finding, usually it's not broken.
• Even if it is broken, it is common to delay correction for a few days. This allows the swelling to go away. Reason: the swelling makes it hard to check the shape of the nose.
• X-rays are often not helpful. Reason: most of the nose is cartilage. Injuries to the cartilage do not show up on an X-ray.
• Looking at the nose after the swelling is gone is better. You can often do this by day 4 or 5. This is the best way to tell if it is broken. It will look different than it used to. Waiting a bit also helps the surgeon better see what needs to be corrected.
• Caution: if the nose is broken, a surgeon must re-set it. This should be done before the 10th day.

What to Expect:

• Nose pain and swelling usually peak on day 2.
• They go away over 3 or 4 days.
• Bruising may appear under both eyes.
• Sleeping propped up will help limit pain and swelling.

Call Your Doctor If:

• Pain becomes severe
• Nasal passage becomes blocked
• Shape of the nose has not come back to normal after 4 days
• Signs of infection occur (a yellow discharge, more tender to touch, fever)
• You think you need to be seen
• Your symptoms get worse

Remember! Contact your doctor if you or your child develop any "Contact Your Doctor" symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.