Broken Nose? Don't worry, let's be aware of this!

What happens if you hit your nose hard while playing, in a fight, or in a minor accident? Your nose may bleed and swell. At times like these, we may wonder if your nose is broken. Your nose is a very prominent and sensitive organ on your face. So we need to be careful about any damage to it. Today, we will talk about a broken nose, or in medical terms, a nasal fracture.

What exactly is this breaking of the nose?

Simply put, a broken nose is a break or fracture of one or more of the bones in your nose. Sometimes the soft cartilage in your nose can also be damaged. This is actually one of the most common injuries to the face.

Imagine that you have been hit hard in the nose. It is not a good idea to ignore it at that time, thinking that it is a minor matter. Because by getting the right medical treatment immediately , we have a great chance of preventing permanent damage to the nose.

What are the symptoms of a broken nose?

When a nose is broken, each person may show different symptoms. It varies depending on the severity of the injury. But there are some common symptoms that can be seen. Let's see what they are.

How can the nose be broken?

The main cause of a broken nose is blunt force trauma. Here are some of the situations that can cause this:

• During sports: In sports like rugby, boxing, karate. Sometimes this can happen even when hit by a cricket ball.
• During fights: Due to blows to the face.
• In car accidents: From hitting the face somewhere during a vehicle collision.
• In falls: Especially if you fall face down.

What are the complications if this is left to heal?

The main risk is a condition called a septal hematoma . Simply put, this is a collection of blood inside the wall (septum) that separates your nostrils. This collection of blood can cut off the blood supply to the cartilage, causing it to die (necrosis).

If this `Septal Hematoma` condition is not treated quickly, the following can happen:

• Perforation: This means that a hole forms between the two nostrils.
• Saddle Nose: The bridge of the nose has sunken in, completely changing the shape of the nose.
• Necrosis of the nasal tissue: This is a very serious condition.

Therefore, it is imperative to see a doctor if you have an injury to your nose.

Doctor, how do you know for sure if this is broken?

When you go to the doctor, the first thing he does is ask you about how the accident happened. Then he does a physical examination .

• The doctor will very gently touch your nose to check for any broken areas and where the pain is.
• Using a small instrument, they look inside the nose to see if there is blood inside (septal hematoma) or if the airway is blocked.

Most of the time, this test can diagnose a broken nose. However, if there is a suspicion that other bones in the face have also been damaged, an X-ray or CT scan will be ordered.

What is the treatment for a broken nose?

Treatment depends on the severity of the injury. Some minor fractures can be treated with home remedies, but more serious cases may require surgery.

Treatments you can do at home

If it's a minor injury, your doctor will give you these instructions:

• Ice: To reduce swelling and pain, wrap a few ice cubes in a clean cloth and place them on the nose for about 15 minutes. Do this several times a day.
• Painkillers: The doctor may recommend taking a painkiller such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen.
• Elevate your head: When you sleep, elevate your head slightly with one or two pillows. This will reduce swelling.

Medical treatment

Septal Hematoma Removal

If blood has collected inside the nose, the doctor will drain the blood within 24 hours of the accident. This is done to prevent serious complications that may occur in the future.

Manual Realignment

If the bone or cartilage in your nose has been pulled apart due to an accident, your doctor can manually set it back into place. This is usually done a few days after the accident, when the swelling has subsided.

• First, the area around the nose is numbed with local anesthesia .
• Then the doctor gently pushes the bone and cartilage pieces into the correct position.
• Then, they put something like gauze inside the nose and apply a dressing like a plaster on the outside.
• A temporary splint is placed on the outside of the nose to keep it in shape.
• Antibiotics may also be given to prevent infection.

The gauze placed inside and the dressing placed outside can be removed in about two weeks.

Surgery

If the nose is severely broken, or if breathing difficulties persist, surgery may be necessary.

• Septoplasty: This surgery involves realigning the deviated septum, the wall that separates the nostrils. This can help relieve breathing difficulties.
• Rhinoplasty: This surgery is performed to reshape the external shape of the nose. The broken bones and cartilage are reshaped to give the nose a new shape.

When should you see a doctor? When should you go to the ETU?

This is very important. It is essential to know when to see a doctor and when to go to the Emergency Department (ETU) immediately if you have a nose injury.