Main Causes and Symptoms of Nasal Fracture + Prevention and Care

All About itSymptoms of a nasal fractureAnd ways to prevent it

A nasal fracture, also known as a nasal crack, is a type of split and crack in the nasal bone that usually occurs on the bridge of the nose. Common causes of nasal fractures include martial arts and fighting, physical altercations, falling to the ground, and accidents involving motorcycles and cars, which often lead to facial injuries.

A broken nose can cause pain, along with swelling and bruising around the nose and under the eyes. In such cases, the person’s nose may be crushed and they might find it difficult to breathe properly. Treatment for a broken nose includes processes to realign the nose. Surgery is usually not necessary for a broken nose.

Symptoms of a nasal fracture

Signs of a broken nose include:

• Pain and tenderness on the nose, especially when touched
• Swelling of the nose, especially around it
• Nosebleeds
• Bruising around the eyes and nose
• Wobbliness or loss of the normal shape of the nose
• Difficulty breathing through the nose
• Discharge from the nose
• Feeling of blockage in both nostrils
• Blurry vision
• Decreased alertness
• Memory problems

When should you see a doctor?

If you experience the following conditions, you should seek emergency help immediately:

• Head or neck injuries thatcause severe headaches,neck pain,vomiting, or loss of consciousness.Difficulty breathing.
• Non-stop bleeding.
• Changes in the shape of the nose that cause it to bend.
• Discharge of fluid from the nose
• Causes of nasal fractures

Common causes of nasal fractures include:

Injury during sports like football

• Physical altercations
• Accidents with a motorcycle or car
• Falling down
• A broken nose can occur when colliding with objects while walking, such as hitting a door, a hard object, or during wrestling.
• Risk factors for nasal fractures

Any activity that poses a risk of facial injuries also increases the risk of a nasal fracture. These activities include those mentioned in the health section of

SelMagz.BicyclingMartial arts

• Heavy weightlifting without guards or protection
• Motorcycling
• Driving without a seatbelt
• Challenges and problems of nasal fractures
• Challenges related to nasal fractures include:

Nasal deviation

A nasal crack can lead to a deviation of its wall, which occurs when the thin wall of the nose on both sides is affected and slightly displaced. As a result, the airway in the nose narrows. Medications such as decongestants and

antihistaminescan manage this nasal deviation, but surgery is needed for correction.

Blood accumulation:Sometimes, clotted blood collects in a broken nose and creates a condition called wall cysts, which can block one or both nostrils. This situation requires surgery to prevent damage to the cartilage.Nasal cartilage fracture:If a nasal fracture is due to high pressure, such as a car accident, a cartilage fracture may occur. If the condition is severe, surgery will be recommended for the individual, and the surgeon will address the fractures in the bone and cartilage.Prevention of nasal fractures

You can prevent nasal fractures by following these guidelines:

Always wear your seatbelt while driving.

Use a child safety seat in the car for your children with the seatbelt fastened.

Use safety equipment, especially helmets, when using motorcycles, cycling, or engaging in sports like skiing, hockey, football, etc.

Self-treatment of nasal fractures

Individuals with a broken nose can help treat this issue at home by following these tips:

• To stop bleeding, stay still and do not tilt your head back too much, as blood may flow into your throat.
• Apply an ice pack for 15 to 20 minutes several times a day on the broken nose.
• Use painkillers like

acetaminophen

or ibuprofen to relieve pain and swelling.

• Carefully clean wounds and bandage them if necessary.
• To reduce nasal swelling, keep your head slightly elevated.
• If the wounds and pain are more serious than can be managed with home care, be sure to see a doctor.Resetting the noseA person who has a nasal fracture due to various factors can have their bone repositioned by a doctor. This process improves the appearance of the nose and resolves breathing issues.
• The doctor may perform the following actions to manually reset the nose:
• Use a nasal numbing spray or inject a numbing substance in the targeted area

Use a speculum or other medical instruments to examine the inside of the nose and adjust the bone and cartilage

Securely bind the nose and cartilage in the correct position

Prescribe

antibiotics

1. to prevent infection
2. If the injury lasts more than two weeks, manual adjustment is usually not effective, and the doctor will suggest surgery instead.
3. If the following conditions exist, the doctor will proceed with surgery:
4. The severity of the fractureMore than one fracture on the noseNasal wall damage and breathing problems

Sometimes, a patient is advised to wait two to three months before undergoing surgery. This duration allows for the swelling to decrease, and the bones to heal properly, restoring their natural appearance.

Recovery

• A nasal fracture usually begins healing a few days after surgery, but it may take about a week for swelling and pain to completely go away. For a faster recovery, it is recommended to avoid activities that might cause further injury, such as martial arts and fighting.
• Nasal injuries
• Complications of nasal fractures

Martial arts

Martial arts as a risk factor for nasal fractures

Resetting a broken nose