Nasal Fracture In Children
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WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
- A nasal fracture (FRAK-chur) is also called a broken nose. This occurs when any of your child's bones in the nose are broken. Nasal fractures are the most common facial fractures since the nose is a prominent part of the face. The nose is the main gate to the respiratory (breathing) system. Nasal fractures may be caused by an injury or trauma to the face. A fall from a height, direct blow 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 his nose. He may also have trouble breathing, smelling, or talking. 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 faster in children than in adults. The younger your child is, the faster the fracture will heal without further problems. With proper treatment, care and follow-up, your child has a greater chance of having a full recovery. Ask your caregiver for information about these tests and treatments.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Medicines:
- Keep a list of your child's medicines: Keep a written list of the medicines your child takes, the amounts, and when and why they are taken. Bring the list of your child's medicines or the medicine bottles when you visit your child's caregivers. Ask your child's caregiver for more information about the medicines. Do not give any medicines to your child without first asking your child's caregiver. This includes prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements.
- Give your child's medicine as directed: Always give your child's medicine as directed by his caregivers. Call your child's caregiver if you think your child's medicines are not helping. Call if you feel your child is having side effects. Do not quit giving the medicines to your child until you discuss it with your child's caregiver.
- Do not give aspirin to children under 18 years of age: Giving aspirin to your child when he is ill may cause a very serious illness called Reye's Syndrome. This could lead to brain and liver damage. Read medicine labels to see if your child's medicine has aspirin in it.
- Pain medicine: Caregivers may give medicine to decrease your child's pain. Tell a caregiver if your child's pain does not go away or comes back after taking this medicine. Pain medicine can have side effects. Tell a caregiver if your child has trouble breathing, is very sleepy, or has an upset stomach. Tell a caregiver if your child is allergic to any medicine.
Ask your child's caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you and your child may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your child's next visit.
Activity:
- Help your child to rest. Your child should rest as much as possible and get plenty of sleep.
- Sports: Do not let your child play contact sports, such as football, while his nasal fracture is still healing. The bones in his nose or face may break again, bleed, or bruise easily. Talk to your child's caregiver before you let him start playing contact sports again.
Ice and warm compress: Apply an ice pack to your child's 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 and 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, your child may use heat to decrease pain or swelling in his 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 out of every hour as long as your child needs it. Do not let your child sleep on the heating pad or hot water bottle. This could cause a bad burn.Splint care: Caregivers may put splints inside or over the top of your child's nose for support and protection. This will help the nasal bones heal the right way. Ask your child's caregiver for more information on splint care.
Wound care: Ask your child's caregiver about the proper way to take care of his wound or change his nasal packing. It is also important to know how often your child's packing needs to be changed.
Preventing another nasal fracture:
- Always put your child in a car safety seat in the back seat. Do not start the car until your child's seat belt is fastened. If your child is old enough, have him wear a seat belt when driving or riding in a car.
- Do not leave your baby alone on the bed, changing table, or couch. Place him in a crib or playpen if you must leave him unattended.
- Do not let your child dive in a shallow pool area or in water where the depth is not known.
- Make sure your child wears proper padding and protective gear when playing sports. These include helmets, mouth guards, wrist guards, and kneepads that meet safety standards. Teach your child about following safety regulations. Ask your caregiver for more information about bicycle helmet safety.
CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:
- Your child has a fever (increased body temperature).
- Your child keeps on having nosebleeds.
- Your child's bandage or nasal pack has new stains or a bad odor.
- Your child's headache is getting worse even after giving him pain medicines.
- Your child's skin is itchy, swollen, or has a rash.
- Your child's splints in the nose are loose.
- Your child cannot make it to his next appointment with his caregiver.
- You have questions or concerns about your child's fracture, treatment, or care.
SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:
- Your child has bleeding from his nose that does not stop even if you keep on pinching the nostrils closed.
- Your child has clear fluid draining from his nose.
- Your child has blood clots inside the nose or swelling on the septum (the wall between the nostrils).
- Your child has 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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