Emergencies >>>> What to do if the bones of the nose are broken?

What to do if the bones of the nose are broken?

Mechanical damage to the bone structures of the nose is one of the most common injuries among injuries to the facial part of the skull. A fracture of the nasal bones can be accompanied by damage to the bones of the nasal septum, the bridge of the nose, the bones of the upper jaw, or the nasal processes of the frontal bone. A fracture of the nose can be closed (without damaging the skin) or open (it is characterized by the presence of a wound in the area of the fracture). With a fracture of the nose, bone fragments can move (in the lateral, anterior - posterior direction, or pierce other bone structures).

Signs of a broken nose.

To determine a fracture of the nose, sometimes an external examination is sufficient, in which deformations in the nose area will be noticeable:

lateral displacement of the nose,
flattened nose,
an increase in the width of the nose in the region of the bridge of the nose,
narrowing of the width of the nose.

As a rule, nose fractures are accompanied by profuse nosebleeds and the development of edema at the site of injury and under the eyes. With closed fractures, a subcutaneous hematoma develops very quickly , which can be located not only at the site of the impact, but also spread to the tissues adjacent to the nose. A fracture of the nasal bones is accompanied by pain symptoms, the intensity of which may vary depending on the amount of damage caused to the bone structures of the facial part of the skull. With the displacement of the fragments of the nasal septum and rapidly developing edema, nasal breathing becomes difficult. With an open fracture of the nose, you can see the wound, but it is not always possible to see bone fragments in it. With a fracture of the cartilage of the nose the symptoms may be identical. Sometimes a fracture of the nose can be perceived as a severe bruise, and only an X-ray will show what kind of damage to the bone or cartilage tissue has occurred.

A fracture of the nasal bones can be accompanied by a number of signs that are especially important to pay attention to:

Discharge of clear fluid from the nose may be similar to lacrimation, but should be a concern, as cerebrospinal fluid may leak with a fracture of the ethmoid bone;
Profuse bleeding that does not stop for a long time;
Lachrymation, which is not related to the experience of pain, occurs when the eye socket and lacrimal ducts are injured;
Hematomas around the eyes in the shape of glasses indicate a fracture of the base of the skull.

What to do in case of a broken nose?

You can start helping with a broken nose at home:

Put the victim in such a position so that his head is tilted forward to prevent blood from flowing into the respiratory tract;
Be sure to apply a cold compress (an ice pack, a heating pad with ice or hungry water, a plastic container with cold water or ice, a cloth rolled in several layers and moistened with cold water);
In case of profuse nosebleeds, insert small cotton swabs (do not push deeply).

It is not recommended to adjust broken bones of the nose on your own. If you suspect a fracture of the base of the skull (hematoma in the form of glasses), do not turn the victim's head and call an ambulance as soon as possible.