Emergency Department and Minor Injury Unit
You have been given this information because you have been diagnosed with an injury to your nose. Injuries to the nose, including broken noses, are common, normally occurring after a blow to the face. X-ray investigations are not required to diagnose a broken nose and most do not require any specific treatment at all and can be managed at home.
Symptoms associated with injuries to the nose can include:
- Nosebleeds
- Bruising around the eyes
- Swelling and it may look deformed
- Tenderness, and possibly crunching or cracking when touching the nose.
Treating a nasal injury
Most nasal injuries do not need specific treatment. Measures you can try at home which may help are:
Holding an ice pack (frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel will also work) to the nose for 10 to 15 minutes every few hours for the first couple of days
If your nose is bleeding, pinch the soft part of your nose just above your nostrils for 10 to 15 minutes to stop the bleeding. Lean your head forward to prevent blood trickling down your throat
Try not to blow your nose
Prop your head up in bed by sleeping on a few pillows to help reduce the swelling
Avoiding hot drinks over the following 24 hours may prevent further bleeding
You will have been advised that treatment may be required if at 5 days, only if:
Your nose is obviously bent to one side
You are unable to breathe through one side of your nose
If this is the case, then you can request an appointment to see an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor at The James Cook University Hospital. You will need an appointment for this clinic and will need to call 01642 854033 between 09.00 and 16.00 to be given a date and time to attend.
Recovering from a nasal injury
If no specialist treatment is required, the swelling usually settles within a week and the bruising should disappear after two weeks. You should contact your GP if your injury does not improve as expected or your symptoms get worse.
Treating pain
If needed, painkiller options include the following:
Paracetamol is usually recommended for painful sprains or strains.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) relieve pain and may also limit inflammation and swelling. You can buy some types (for example, ibuprofen) at pharmacies, without a prescription either topically as a cream, or as tablets.
You should check the medication advice leaflet to ensure you are safe to take these as some patients with asthma or stomach ulcers may not be able to.
Further Information
For further advice and information about your condition, please choose from the following:
- ‘NHS Patient Choices’ website: www.nhs.uk
- ‘Making Lives Better’ patient website: www.patient.info
- Telephone NHS 111
- Contact your General Practitioner
Contact details
- The James Cook University Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW
Telephone: 01642 850850 - The Friarage, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL6 1JG
Telephone: 01609 779911 - Redcar Primary Care Hospital, West Dyke Road, Redcar, TS10 4NW
Telephone: 01642 511000
If you have any medical concerns or need advice please contact 111, for further information regarding this leaflet please contact: [email protected] This email will be monitored 9am until 4pm Monday to Friday.
Email: [email protected]
Patient experience
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust would like your feedback. If you wish to share your experience about your care and treatment or on behalf of a patient, please contact The Patient Experience Department who will advise you on how best to do this.
This service is based at The James Cook University Hospital but also covers the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, our community hospitals and community health services.
To ensure we meet your communication needs please inform the Patient Experience Department of any special requirements, for example; braille or large print.
T: 01642 835964
E: [email protected]