Broken nose

A broken nose, also called a nasal fracture, is a crack or break in one of the bones in the nose. Typically, the bone at the bridge of your nose is the one that breaks.

Common causes of a broken nose include contact sports, physical fights and falls. Motor vehicle accidents that injure the face also may cause a nose to break.

A broken nose can be painful and often causes a nosebleed. You may have swelling and bruising around your nose and under your eyes. Your nose may look crooked. And you may have trouble breathing through it.

Most broken noses don't require surgery. Treatment often involves procedures to realign the nose to help it heal properly.

Symptoms of a broken nose include:

• Pain or tenderness, especially when touching the nose.
• Swelling in and around the nose.
• Nosebleeds.
• Bruising around the nose or eyes.
• A crooked or misshapen nose.
• Trouble breathing through the nose.
• Mucus discharge from the nose.
• Feeling that one or both nasal passages are blocked.

Seek emergency medical care if you experience a nose injury along with any of the following symptoms:

• A possible head or neck injury with symptoms such as a severe headache, neck pain, vomiting or loss of consciousness.
• Trouble breathing.
• Bleeding that won't stop.
• A noticeable change in the shape of your nose that doesn't seem to be caused by swelling, such as a crooked or twisted look.
• Clear, watery fluid draining from your nose.

Common causes of a broken nose include:

• Injury from playing sports, such as soccer, basketball, baseball, football and hockey.
• Physical fights.
• Accidents involving motor vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles.
• Electronic scooter accidents.
• Falls.

Any activity that increases the risk of injuries to the face can increase the risk of a broken nose. Such activities may include:

• Playing sports such as soccer, basketball and baseball.
• Playing contact sports, such as football and hockey, especially without a helmet and face mask.
• Getting into a physical fight.
• Lifting weights without a spotter for safety.
• Riding a bicycle, especially without a helmet.
• Riding in a car without wearing a seat belt.
• Riding a motorcycle or an all-terrain vehicle.
• Riding an electric scooter.

A broken nose can sometimes lead to other injuries or complications, including:

• Deviated septum. A fracture can shift the wall between your nostrils, narrowing one or both nasal passages. This type of injury is called a deviated septum. It can make it harder to breathe. Medicines, such as decongestants and antihistamines, may help manage symptoms, but surgery is needed to fix a deviated septum.
• Collection of blood. Sometimes pools of clotted blood form in a broken nose. This creates a condition called a septal hematoma. A septal hematoma can block one or both nostrils. Surgery to remove the clotted blood must be done quickly to prevent cartilage damage.
• Cartilage fracture. A strong impact, such as in a car accident, also may break the cartilage in your nose. If surgery is needed, your doctor typically will treat both the bone and cartilage injuries.
• Neck injury. Being hit hard enough to break your nose also may injure the bones in your neck. If you think you may have a neck injury, seek medical care right away.

You can reduce the risk of a nose fracture by following these safety tips:

• Always wear a seat belt when riding in a car. Make sure children are in the right car seat or booster seat for their age and size.
• Wear proper safety equipment, such as a helmet and face mask, when playing hockey, football or other contact sports.
• Wear a helmet when riding a bicycle or motorcycle to protect your head and face in case of a fall or crash.