Nose Injuries: Home Treatment

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Home Treatment

First aid measures are important after a nose injury.

• Stop a nosebleed. Crying can make a nosebleed worse. If your child has a nosebleed and is crying, speak to the child in a quiet, relaxed manner. This will help reduce the child's fear. For more information, see the topic Nosebleeds.
• If you suspect that the nose is broken, do not try to put a crooked nose back in place. This may increase bleeding or deformity or cause further injury.

Measures to reduce pain, swelling, and bruising

• Use ice. Cold will reduce pain and swelling. Apply an ice or cold pack immediately to prevent or minimize swelling. Apply the ice or cold pack for 10 to 20 minutes, 3 or more times a day. Always keep a cloth between your skin and the ice pack, and press firmly against all the curves of the affected area. Do not apply ice for longer than 20 minutes at a time, and do not fall asleep with the ice on your skin.
• Keep your head elevated, even while you sleep. This will help reduce swelling.
• Do not take aspirin for the first 48 hours. Aspirin prolongs the clotting time of blood and may cause more nose or facial bleeding.
• For the first 48 hours, avoid things that might increase swelling, such as hot showers, hot tubs or hot packs, or drinking alcohol.
• After 48 to 72 hours, if swelling is gone, apply warmth to the area that hurts. You can use a hot water bottle, warm towel, or a heating pad set on low. To avoid burning your skin, do not apply anything that is uncomfortably warm.
• Do not smoke. Smoking slows healing because it decreases blood supply and delays tissue repair. For more information, see the topic Quitting Tobacco Use.

Measures to relieve nasal stuffiness and promote sinus drainage

• Drink plenty of fluids. Extra fluids help keep mucus thin and draining, which may help prevent blockage of the sinuses.
• Try a nonprescription decongestant, such as Sudafed PE, or use saline nasal sprays or drops to relieve nasal stuffiness.
• Use a humidifier to keep the air in your home moist. You may want to purchase a small humidifier to use in your bedroom while you sleep.
• Inhale steam from a vaporizer, or take long, steamy showers. You may also try breathing the moist air from a bowl of hot water. Put a towel over your head and the bowl to trap the moist air.

Symptoms to Watch For During Home Treatment

Use the Check Your Symptoms section to evaluate your symptoms if any of the following occur during home treatment:

• Eye or vision changes develop.
• Fever, headache, dizziness, facial numbness, difficulty in tasting food, or vomiting with blood develops.
• Clear drainage from one or both nostrils develops.
• A skin infection develops.
• A sinus problem develops.
• Symptoms do not improve with home treatment.
• Symptoms become more severe or frequent.

Last updated:	April 20, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Charles M. Myer, III, MD - Otolaryngology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer