Nose emergency
Key points
- Nose emergencies include nosebleeds, an object lodged in the nose, and a broken nose.
- A fractured nose is the most common facial fracture.
- Do not probe the nose with cotton swabs or other tools.
- Have the injured person breathe through the mouth and lean forward in a sitting position in order to keep blood from going down the back of the throat.
Definition
Nose emergencies include nosebleeds, an object lodged in the nose, and a broken nose.
Considerations
A fractured nose is the most common facial fracture. It usually results from a blunt injury and is often associated with other facial fractures. The bruised appearance usually disappears after 2 weeks.
Nose injuries and neck injuries are often seen together because a blow that is forceful enough to injure the nose may be hard enough to injure the neck.
Serious nose injuries cause problems that require immediate professional attention. However, for minor nose injuries, the doctor may prefer to see the injured person after the swelling subsides.
Nosebleeds are very common. A nosebleed may be caused by trauma such as nose picking, forceful nose blowing, direct impact to the nose, and other actions. A nosebleed may also be caused by irritation or dryness of the lining of the nose, which may occur with low humidity and dry environment, allergic rhinitis, colds, or Sinusitis. Deviated septum, foreign objects in the nose, or other nasal obstruction may also cause nosebleeds.
Most nosebleeds occur on the tip of the nasal septum, which contains many fragile, easily damaged blood vessels. Occasionally, nosebleeds may occur higher on the septum or deeper in the nose. These higher or deeper nosebleeds may be harder to control.
Occasionally, nosebleeds may indicate other conditions such as bleeding disorders, use of aspirin or blood thinners, hypertension, or arteriosclerosis. Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (also called HHT or Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome), a disorder involving a blood vessel growth similar to a birthmark in the back of the nose, may become evident through nosebleeds.
Causes
- Allergies
- Forcefully or frequently blowing the nose
- Drug abuse
- Dry air
- High blood pressure
- Large doses of aspirin
- Overuse of nasal sprays
- Picking the nose frequently
- Strenuous exercise
- Trauma to the nose
- Tumor
- Very cold air
Symptoms
Symptoms of nosebleeds:
- Blood coming from one or both nostrils
Written and revised by
David Cohen, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
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