A broken nose, or nasal fracture, involves a crack or break in the bone or cartilage within a child’s nose. Its prominent position makes it vulnerable to injury from falls, sports, or accidents. Nasal fractures are common in children, so understanding how to identify and respond to them is important.
Recognizing the Visible Signs
Visible swelling around the nose is an immediate indicator of a potential nasal fracture. This swelling can extend under the eyes, or even to the forehead and cheeks. Bruising, often appearing as discoloration around the nose or under the eyes, frequently accompanies nasal injuries. These signs may not be apparent immediately but can develop over several hours.
Beyond swelling and bruising, a noticeable change in the nose’s shape can suggest a fracture. This might include a crooked or bent appearance. Swelling can sometimes make a nose appear crooked even if it is not fractured, making it challenging to assess the true shape until swelling subsides after a few days.
Other Indicators of a Nasal Injury
Other symptoms can also indicate a nasal injury. Pain is common, especially when the nose is touched or moved. Children might also experience nosebleeds, which can be minor or heavy. The nose’s rich blood supply means that even minor injuries can lead to significant bleeding.
Difficulty breathing through the nose is another indicator, often resulting from swelling or obstruction of the nasal passages. A grating or crunching sensation or sound when the nose is touched or moved can also be present, suggesting a fracture.
Immediate Steps to Take
If a child sustains a nasal injury, reassuring them is important. Applying a cold compress or ice pack to the nose can help reduce swelling and pain. This should be done for 10 to 20 minutes at a time, with a thin cloth between the ice and skin. Repeating this application every 1 to 2 hours for the first few days can be beneficial.
Keeping the child in an upright position helps minimize bleeding and further swelling by preventing blood from pooling in the nose. If a nosebleed occurs, gently pinching the soft part of the nose just above the nostrils for 10 to 15 minutes continuously can help stop the bleeding. During a nosebleed, the child should lean forward, not backward, to prevent swallowing blood, which can cause nausea or vomiting. It is also advisable to discourage the child from blowing their nose, picking it, or rubbing it to allow the injured blood vessels to heal.
When Professional Medical Care is Needed
Certain signs indicate that a child with a suspected nasal injury requires professional medical attention. If the nosebleed is severe or persists for more than 10 to 15 minutes, or if the child is swallowing a large amount of blood, seeking immediate care is advised. Difficulty breathing through the nose, especially if the passage is completely blocked, warrants prompt evaluation. A visibly deformed or crooked nose after the injury, even after initial swelling subsides, requires medical assessment.
Concerns about a head injury, such as loss of consciousness, severe headache, repeated vomiting, vision changes, or clear fluid leaking from the nose, necessitate immediate emergency care. If the child is an infant or toddler, any suspected nasal fracture should be evaluated promptly due to potential breathing difficulties. Even if the injury seems minor, a medical evaluation is recommended to rule out complications like a septal hematoma, a collection of blood that can form inside the nose and requires drainage.