Broken Nose: First Aid, Treatment, and Recovery

Got a broken nose? It happens from sports, falls, fights, or accidents. This short guide tells you what to do right away, which signs mean you need urgent care, and how recovery usually goes.

Stop the bleeding first. Sit upright and lean slightly forward — don’t tilt your head back. Pinch the soft lower part of the nose for 10–15 minutes without checking. Apply a cold pack to the bridge in 10–20 minute bursts to slow swelling. Don’t shove tissue deep into the nostrils; that can make things worse. If bleeding soaks through dressings or won’t stop after 20–30 minutes, go to the emergency room.

Look for danger signs. If you can’t breathe through either nostril, see double, lose consciousness, have clear fluid running from the nose (possible brain fluid), or your nose looks badly crooked, get urgent medical help. Severe facial pain, numbness, or vision changes also need prompt attention.

What doctors do

Clinics usually examine your nose and face and ask how the injury happened. X-rays are rarely helpful for the nose alone; doctors may order a CT if other facial bones might be broken. Many nasal fractures don’t need surgery. If bones aren’t badly displaced, doctors treat swelling and reassess after a few days. For clear misalignment, a closed reduction — repositioning the bones under local or general anaesthesia — is often done within 10–14 days.

Watch for a septal hematoma — a painful bulge inside the nose that feels like a soft lump. That must be drained quickly to avoid infection and cartilage loss. If the septum is badly damaged or breathing stays blocked, an ENT or facial surgeon may recommend open surgery or later cosmetic correction.

Recovery tips and timeline

Swelling usually peaks in 48–72 hours and improves steadily. Most visible swelling fades in about two weeks, but minor changes can take three to six months. Keep your head elevated while sleeping, avoid heavy lifting and contact sports for 4–6 weeks, and don’t blow your nose for at least a week. Use acetaminophen for pain; avoid aspirin early on because it can increase bleeding unless your doctor says otherwise.

Follow up one to two weeks after the injury so a clinician can check healing and look for septal problems. If breathing stays difficult or the nose still looks crooked after swelling goes down, see an ENT or facial plastic surgeon for a longer-term fix.

Prevent future breaks by wearing helmets or face guards during sports, using seat belts, and taking steps to reduce falls at home. If you suspect a broken nose, act fast on bleeding and breathing — timely care lowers the chance of long-term problems and the need for more complex surgery later.