A Bruised Nose: Symptoms, Treatment, Consequences

2024 Author: Rachel Wainwright | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 07:39

Nose contusion: types, symptoms, treatment, complications

The content of the article:

Causes of injury
Types of bruises on the nose
1. Lateral injuries
2. Anterior injuries
Injuries in children
Symptoms
Diagnostics
First aid

What to do if you suspect a nose bridge fracture or concomitant injury
Treatment
Complications
Video

A bruised nose is a type of injury, along with injuries and fractures. It belongs to the most common injuries of the upper respiratory tract, due to the location of this organ. In most cases, young men (up to 30 years old) go to the hospital for such an injury. Contusion itself is noted in 20% of all visits, in combination with a fracture - in about 69%.

A bruised nose is a common injury

If you bruise your nose, then most often suffer: the nasal septum, cartilage and bones. Rarely, but there is a rupture of the wings of an organ and a separation of its tip. Several factors affect the severity of the injury: age, impact force, and bone strength.

The most common complication is deformation of the external nose, which is characterized by a violation of its shape and structure, affecting bone, cartilaginous and / or soft tissues.

Causes of injury

The main causes of injury include:

The reasons	Description
Blunt force hit	Usually occurs during sports activities, as a result of fighting and road traffic accidents
Fall	Most often seen in children

Types of bruises on the nose

Lateral injuries

If the blow is struck from the side, the edge of the nasal bone is injured and the nasolabial articulation is disrupted, due to which the nose moves to the side. Possible flattening, retraction of the nasal bones and nasal bridge.

With lateral trauma, a curvature of the nasal septum may occur

With a decrease in the nasal vault and the depression of the nasal bone, deformation of the bony part of the nasal septum is observed. It is also possible:

dislocation of the quadrangular cartilage from the notch in the opener;
bulge on one side and concavity on the other.

Unlike adults, if you get injured at an early age, then as you grow, the deformation of the bones and cartilage of the nose increases, which necessitates timely treatment.

Anterior injuries

If the traumatic force was directed from the front to the lower part of the nose, damage to the cartilage occurs. In this case, the cartilaginous part may not be deformed, since it has great elasticity.

Often, due to post-traumatic perichondritis, there are cases of drooping of the tip of the nose.

Injuries in children

A characteristic feature of bruises in children is suture separation, since bone sutures are less resistant in childhood.

If there is a simultaneous injury to the nose and paranasal sinuses, squeezing of the olfactory filaments can damage the olfactory analyzer. Violation of the sense of smell can also occur as a result of hemorrhages, which lead to the formation of squeezing scars on the olfactory threads.

Symptoms

Most often, a bruise is manifested by pain, bleeding and swelling of the soft tissues of the injured area, in the case of the formation of a septal hematoma - difficulty in nasal breathing and impaired sense of smell. The main symptoms of a bruise are nosebleeds, bleeding in the eyelids. Possible fever, headache, swelling of the tissues of the entire face.

Violation of smell is more pronounced in cases where nasal breathing is difficult or the olfactory gap closes. The complete absence of smell or its decrease is more often noted on the side of the injury. In the absence of serious bone injury, this disorder usually resolves on its own.

In the event of signs of a concussion (in the form of loss of consciousness at the time of injury, nausea, vomiting, headache), immediate medical attention is required.

Diagnostics

The doctor evaluates the patient's complaints, examines and palpates the organ. Attention is paid to the shape and appearance of the bridge of the nose, an open wound, the presence of bleeding, hemorrhages in the soft tissues of the nose, tissue of the eyelids, infraorbital region, conjunctiva of the eyeball.

X-ray may be required to clarify the diagnosis

When assessing the general condition, it is necessary to determine the neurological status and the amount of blood loss. To exclude a fracture or determine its localization, an x-ray of the bones of the organ is performed in the lateral and, possibly, direct projection.

In young children, the interpretation of X-ray data is difficult, since their facial bones are thin, not completely calcified and give a weakly expressed radiopaque shadow, on which an intense shadow of the tooth germs and teeth is layered.

With a closed injury, the diagnosis is complicated by tissue edema. If it is necessary to clarify the diagnosis, CT (computed tomography) of the bones and paranasal sinuses may be required.

First aid

In case of uncomplicated injury, emergency care can be provided to the victim at home. Cold is applied to the injured area, if the skin is damaged, they are washed with soap and water.

It is important to know how to properly stop nosebleeds

If there is blood flowing, the wound should be pressed with a tampon with hydrogen peroxide for 3-5 minutes. To stop nosebleeds, you should gently press the wings against the septum with your index and thumb for 3-5 minutes. In this case, it is necessary to breathe through the mouth and tilt your head forward a little.

You can also plug the nasal passage with a tight cotton or gauze swab slightly moistened with cold water or hydrogen peroxide. To make sure that no bleeding occurs inside the nasopharynx, it is necessary to examine the pharynx or spit out saliva.

Patients who are in shock, especially if there is a suspicion of serious damage to the skull, should be provided with conditions for maximum rest. According to indications, supportive measures are taken, pain relievers and heart medications are used.

What to do if you suspect a nose bridge fracture or concomitant injury

If you suspect a fracture of the bones of the nose or nasal septum, you should contact a specialized clinic as soon as possible. In this case, you should pay attention to the following symptoms:

profuse bleeding: possible in case of damage to the nasal mucosa in combination with fractures;
release of cerebrospinal fluid: noted when the ethmoid bone adjacent to the upper nasal passages is destroyed;
lacrimation: characteristic of a concomitant injury to the orbit and lacrimal passages.

Treatment

Starting from the third day after the injury, warming up can be carried out using a heating pad, warming plaster. Physiotherapy warming procedures may be prescribed. Their action is aimed at relieving edema and improving blood circulation.

For treatment, vasoconstrictor drops are used

The use of local vasoconstrictor drugs in the form of drops is shown. To prevent the development of inflammation, ointments with anti-inflammatory action can be used.

Complications

Swelling of the nasal mucosa that occurs after a bruise leads to slight difficulty in breathing. If the violation is pronounced, this may indicate a hematoma of the nasal septum.

After an injury to the bridge of the nose in children, in order to eliminate the consequences, it is important to consult a doctor

If, as a result of a bruise, a change in the diameter of the nasal passages occurs, persistent vasomotor rhinitis may develop. When only one pathway is narrowed, the brain sends a signal about a disorder similar to the inflammatory process in this area. As a result, there is a reflex discharge of a mucous fluid, similar to a cold. In such cases, surgical correction may be required.

After an injury to the bridge of the nose in childhood, deformation of the external nose, curvature of the nasal septum is possible. It is important to understand that this is not only a cosmetic defect, as damage can lead to respiratory failure and other serious consequences.