Nasal Trauma

What is nasal trauma?

Nasal trauma includes any injury to your nose. The damage may be internal, where the cause is often a foreign object or accidentally scratching the internal tissues. 

External nasal trauma occurs from a direct hit to the nose, often due to sports injuries, falls, car accidents, or a physical altercation.

What problems develop due to nasal trauma?

Problems that arise following nasal trauma include:

Nasal laceration

A laceration is a tear or cut of your skin and the underlying soft tissues. This type of wound often has irregular edges and frequently contains debris that can lead to an infection.

Septal hematoma

A septal hematoma occurs when your septum — the cartilage in the center of your nose — is damaged and blood accumulates within the cartilage. Without treatment, a septal hematoma causes pressure that blocks blood flow and leads to tissue death.

Deviated septum

A deviated septum develops when the cartilage is pushed out of its normal position, forcing it off to one side or making it crooked.

Acute bleeding (traumatic epistaxis)

Your nose has a rich supply of blood vessels, so it’s common to have extensive bleeding that needs medical care.

Nasal fracture

A fracture occurs when any of the bones are cracked or broken.

What symptoms develop due to nasal trauma?

The condition that develops after nasal trauma causes symptoms such as:

• Pain
• Bleeding
• External swelling
• Bruising
• Nasal obstruction
• Nasal discharge
• Crooked or misshapen nose
• Inflammation of mucous membranes

Nasal trauma may also affect your facial structures, including the bones around your eye, or cause a mild traumatic brain injury.

How is nasal trauma treated?

The team at Southern ENT & Sinus Center immediately treat bleeding and difficulty breathing. If the tissues aren’t severely swollen, they examine the inside of your nose.

The team diagnoses the type and extent of your injuries using CT imaging. Southern ENT & Sinus Center maintains a fully accredited CT imaging department, so you can conveniently get diagnostic imaging in the office.

Your treatment depends on the type of injury and the severity of the damage to your nose. Broken bones are realigned within 14 days, allowing time for swelling to go down. Your provider may manually realign the bones or perform surgery to clean and repair a complex fracture.

If your nasal trauma results in significant injuries, the team at Southern ENT & Sinus Center has the training to perform reconstructive surgery. They also have someone who can help with cosmetic repairs.

Even if you suffer a minor nasal trauma, it’s important to schedule an exam to be sure you don’t have internal damage. Call Southern ENT & Sinus Center, or book an appointment online.