Nasal Fracture in Children
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 6, 2025.
A nasal fracture is a crack or break in your child's nose. Your child may have a break in the upper nose (bridge), the side, or the septum. The septum is in the middle of the nose and divides the nostrils.
DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:
Return to the emergency department if:
- Your child feels like one or both of his or her nasal passages are blocked and he or she has trouble breathing.
- Your child has severe nose pain, even after he or she takes medicine.
- Clear fluid is leaking from your child's nose.
- Your child has double vision or has problems moving his or her eyes.
Call your child's doctor if:
- Your child has a fever.
- Your child continues to have nosebleeds.
- Your child has a headache that is getting worse, even after he or she takes pain medicine.
- Your child's splint, drain, or packing is loose.
- You have questions about your child's condition or care.
Medicines:
- Medicine may be given to your child to decrease pain or help prevent a bacterial infection. Ask how to give pain medicine to your child safely. Medicine may also be given to decrease nasal swelling and help make breathing easier for your child.
- Do not give aspirin to children younger than 18 years. Your child could develop Reye syndrome if he or she has the flu or a fever and takes aspirin. Reye syndrome can cause life-threatening brain and liver damage. Check your child's medicine labels for aspirin or salicylates.
- Give your child's medicine as directed. Contact your child's healthcare provider if you think the medicine is not working as expected. Tell the provider if your child is allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs your child takes. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why they are taken. Bring the list or the medicines in their containers to follow-up visits. Carry your child's medicine list with you in case of an emergency.
Wound care:
Ask your child's healthcare provider how to care for his or her wounds, splint, or packing.
How to care for your child's nasal fracture at home:
- Apply ice on your child's nose for 15 to 20 minutes every hour or as directed. Use an ice pack, or put crushed ice in a plastic bag. Cover it with a towel. Ice helps prevent tissue damage and decreases swelling and pain.
- Keep your child's head elevated when he or she lies down to help decrease swelling. Ask how you can keep your child's head elevated safely. Your child may need to return for tests or closed reduction after the swelling has gone down.
- Protect your child's nose to prevent bleeding, bruising, or another fracture. Your child should avoid bumping his or her head on anything. Ask your child's healthcare provider when he or she can return to physical activities such as sports.
Follow up with a specialist or your child's doctor in 2 to 4 days or as directed:
Your child may need to return for tests or closed reduction after the swelling has gone down. Write down any questions you have so you remember to ask them during your visits.
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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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