Did you know that a broken nose is the most common type of facial injury? This is especially true when it comes to sports-related facial injuries. A nasal fracture is a very common and painful experience.
Have you suffered an injury and have signs of a broken nose? Do you know what broken nose symptoms to look for? It’s important to take the necessary steps to ensure that proper healing occurs.
The following guide will explain everything you need to know about broken noses. Read on to learn what to do if you suffer a broken nose and how long it takes to heal.
Broken Nose Symptoms
A broken nose involves a break or fracture of a bone in your nose. This typically occurs in the bone over the bridge of your nose or sometimes in the nose cartilage.
Common signs of a break include symptoms like bruising, swelling, and bleeding from the nose. Other indicators are bruising under the eyes, a crooked nose, difficulty breathing, and crackling sounds when you touch your nose.
When you visit a doctor for broken nose symptoms they inspect the outside and the inside of your nose. A broken nose X ray or CT scan of the head and face may be needed depending on the situation.
Healing Time
It’s important to get your nose checked out by a professional if you think you’ve suffered a break. If a nose injury is only minor you might not require further care. Minor nose injuries typically take about 3 weeks to heal.
If a doctor manually resets your nose the healing time is still about 3 weeks. However, a splint will be applied and need to stay in place for at least a week.
You might need surgery for a broken nose if the break is serious enough. People typically fully recover from surgery in 1 to 2 months. Next, a follow-up visit happens 3 – 4 months after surgery to ensure proper healing.
Home Remedies for Minor Injuries
Firstly, never try to straighten a broken nose. Wrap ice in a cloth and place it on your nose for about 15 minutes at a time. Repeat this process hourly throughout the next few days after the injury to reduce pain and swelling.
Using acetaminophen or ibuprofen as directed relieves pain. Over-the-counter nasal decongestants also help to breathe after a nose injury unless there is still bleeding. Seek medical care if your nose is still bleeding.
Keep your head elevated throughout the day and when sleeping to avoid increased swelling. Use extra pillows or lift your head off the bed by raising your mattress with blocks or large books.
If at all possible, do not wear glasses or sunglasses while recovering from a nose injury. Do not wear a sleeping mask or place any other weighted items on the nose either.
Understanding Broken Noses
Now you know what signs indicate a broken nose, what steps to follow, and how long you can expect healing to take. Nose breaks are never pleasant but knowing what to do ensures proper healing and reduced pain.
Check out our other articles for more interesting tips and helpful information.
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