Nose Injuries

Emergencies

Yes	Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.

• A person is not breathing or is unconscious. After calling 911 or other emergency services, see the topic Dealing With Emergencies.
• Moderate to severe difficulty breathing:
  • In children
  • In adults and older children
• Signs of shock:
  • In children
  • In adults and older children
• A serious head injury
• Sudden partial or complete vision loss

Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

When you have a nose injury, it is important to look for other injuries. If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

• Bleeding from cut skin on the nose: Go to the topic Cuts.
• A head injury or symptoms of a head injury: Go to the topic Head Injury, Age 4 and Older or Head Injury, Age 3 and Younger.
• A neck or spine injury: Go to the topic Neck Problems and Injuries.
• An eye injury or cuts around the eye: Go to the topic Eye Injuries.
• A facial injury: Go to the topic Facial Injuries.
• A mouth or dental injury: Go to the topic Mouth and Dental Injuries.
• An object in the nose: Go to the topic Objects in the Nose.

Yes	Do you have difficulty breathing, talking, or swallowing after a nose injury?
Yes	Does your nose look swollen, crooked, or different than normal after an injury?
Yes	Have you had any eye or vision changes after an injury to your nose?
Yes	Do you have a nosebleed after an injury to your nose or face? See how to stop a nosebleed.
Yes	Do you have pain after a nose injury?
Yes	Do you have bruising around your nose or eyes?
Yes	Do you think you have a sinus infection after a nose injury?
Yes	Do you think you have a skin infection after an injury to the nose?
Yes	Do you think a nose injury may have been caused by abuse?
Yes	Do you know or think you need a tetanus shot?

Other Symptoms to Watch For

Do you have any of the following symptoms?

• A puncture, scrape, burn, or bite to the nose: Go to the topic Puncture Wounds, Scrapes, Burns, or Animal and Human Bites.
• A nosebleed not caused by the injury: Go to the topic Nosebleeds.

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: June 22, 2007
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Charles M. Myer, III, MD - Otolaryngology Andrew Swan, MD, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine
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