Carenotes > Nasal Fracture (Aftercare Instructions)

Nasal Fracture

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• A nasal fracture (FRAK-chur) is also called a broken nose. This occurs when any of the bones of your nose are broken. Nasal fractures are the most common fractures of the face. This happens because the nose is a prominent part of the face. The nose is the main gateway to the respiratory (breathing) system. Nasal fractures may be caused by an injury or trauma to the face. A direct blow to the nose during a fight, physical abuse, or a car accident may cause nasal fractures.
  
  
• Common signs and symptoms may include a bump, cut, bruise, swelling, or deformity on your nose. You may also have trouble breathing, smelling, or talking. A nasal endoscopy or nasal speculum exam may be used for diagnosis. Other tests, such as x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or computerized tomography (CT) scan, may also be done. Treatment may include medicines for the relief of symptoms, or surgery if the fracture is bad. Most nasal fractures heal fast without further problems. With treatment, care and follow-up, your nasal fracture can heal, and its symptoms relieved.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Learn why you take each medicine. Ask your caregiver for information about your medicine. Do not use any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver. If you are taking medicine that makes you drowsy, do not drive or use heavy equipment.

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

Activity and rest:

• Rest: You may feel like resting more. Slowly start to do more each day. Rest when you feel it is needed.
  
  
• Sports: Avoid playing contact sports, such as hockey, basketball, baseball, or football, while your nasal fracture is still healing. The bones in your nose or face may break again, bleed, or bruise easily. Talk to your caregiver before you start playing contact sports again.

Ice and warm compress: Apply an ice pack to your skin on top of the swollen part to decrease swelling, pain, and redness. An ice pack may be made by putting crushed or cubed ice in a plastic bag or an ice pack. Mix some water in a bag with the ice to more evenly distribute the cold. Wrap the bag in a towel. Do not leave the ice pack on the skin for a long time to avoid skin damage.

After the first 24 to 48 hours, you may use heat to decrease pain or swelling in your nose. Heat brings blood to the injured area and helps it heal faster. Use a heating pad, moist warm towels, or a hot water bottle. Do this for 15 to 20 minutes every three hours. Do not sleep on the heating pad or hot water bottle. This could cause a bad burn.

Mouth care: You may need to clean your mouth everyday. Cleaning your mouth will remove pieces of food or dried blood, and clean your teeth. A water pik or a small soft toothbrush will work well to clean your mouth. Ask your caregivers for more information about proper mouth care.

Splint care: Caregivers may put splints inside or over the top of your nose for support and protection. This will help the nasal bones heal the right way. Ask your caregiver for more information on splint care.

Wound care: Ask your caregiver about the proper way to take care of your wound or change your nasal packing. It is also important to know how often your packing needs to be changed.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You cannot make it to his next appointment with your caregiver.
  
  
• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• You keep on having nosebleeds.
  
  
• Your bandage or nasal pack has new stains or a bad odor.
  
  
• Your headache is getting worse even after taking pain medicines.
  
  
• Your skin is itchy, swollen, or has a rash.
  
  
• Your splints in the nose are loose.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your nasal fracture, treatment, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You have a grape-like swelling on the septum. This is a collection of blood that must be drained to keep the nose from getting infected.
  
  
• You have bleeding from your nose that does not stop even if you keep on pinching the nostrils closed.
  
  
• You have clear fluid draining from your nose.
  
  
• You have blood clots inside the nose or swelling on the septum (the wall between the nostrils).
  
  
• You have trouble breathing, smelling, or talking.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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