Nose Injuries

Nose injuries: types, consequences and treatment

Nasal injuries are common, especially among children and adolescents. A small bruise can lead to serious consequences, so it is important to know what to do in case of a nose injury.

Types of nasal injuries

Nasal injuries can be of different types and occur in different situations. They can be caused by a fight, playing sports, falling, slipping on ice, etc. All nasal injuries can be divided into three types: fractures of the nasal bones, bruises of the nose and hematomas of the nasal septum.

Fractures of the nasal bones

The human nose consists of two nasal bones: right and left. These bones are quite thin, so they can be broken easily. When the nose is broken, a crunching sound is often heard. A nasal fracture can occur with or without displacement of bone fragments. If displaced, the nose becomes deformed and medical attention is required. The shape of the nose is restored in the hospital, where the nasal bones are repositioned. It is better to do this in the first few hours after a nasal injury, or already on the 5-7th day. Injuries to the nose are unthinkable without swelling and hematomas of the surrounding soft tissues, which makes it impossible to immediately assess the deformity and adequately restore the nose. However, after a week, bone fusion begins, and it may be incorrect, which will lead to serious cosmetic defects and more.

Nose bruise

It’s good if everything worked out without a fracture. However, any injuries to the nose can be accompanied by head injuries, concussions, or other consequences. If you or your relatives lost consciousness at the time of the nose injury, felt nausea, vomiting, or headache, you need to visit a doctor. After a nose bruise, another unpleasant consequence is also possible: a hematoma of the nasal septum. This is due to swelling of the mucous membrane, which often makes nasal breathing difficult. Swelling is possible if difficulty breathing is severe and nasal drops do not help.

Abscess and hematoma of the nasal septum

If the mucous membrane of the nasal septum peels off, then blood flows freely, and the hematoma protrudes the walls of the nasal septum into the lumen of the nasal passages imperceptibly, and it becomes difficult to breathe. But to the delight of microbes. This is how the hematoma and abscess develop. Subsequently, the temperature rises, and purulent melting of the nasal septum is possible. Due to the specifics of the venous outflow, this condition is fraught with purulent meningitis, or simply deformation of the nose.

What to do if you have a nose injury

If your child has suffered a nose injury, it is urgent to find out the time and circumstances of the injury. If there is bleeding, stop it immediately by applying cold to the bridge of the nose or cotton wool soaked in nasal drops (galazolin or naphthyzine, for example). Monitor for concussion symptoms. The next day, take an X-ray of the nose and take the child to an otolaryngologist. Do not forget to use drops and ointments (for example, Troxevasin or Traumeel-S).

Conclusions

Injuries to the nose can lead to serious consequences, so it is important to know what to do in the event of an injury. For nasal fractures, medical attention is needed to restore the shape of the nose. In case of nasal bruises, it is necessary to monitor the appearance of symptoms of a concussion and control difficulty in nasal breathing. For hematomas of the nasal septum, medical supervision and the use of medications are necessary. If you suspect a nose injury, be sure to seek medical attention.