(801) 442-2000
36 S. State Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84111Map

InstaCare Online

Nose Injury, Minor

Care at Home

Treatment of Superficial Cuts and Scrapes (abrasions):
- Apply direct pressure with a sterile gauze or clean cloth for 10 minutes to stop any bleeding.
- Wash the wound with soap and water for 5 minutes.
- Apply an antibiotic ointment. Cover large scrapes with a Band-Aid or gauze dressing. Change daily.
Treatment of Swelling or Bruise with Intact Skin:
- Apply a cold pack or an ice pack (wrapped in a towel) to the area for no more than 20 minutes each hour for 4 consecutive hours.
- 48 hours after the injury, use local heat for 10 minutes 3 times each day to help reabsorb the blood.
Nosebleed: Sit up straight. Place your thumb and index finger over each side of the soft lower portion of the nose. Firmly pinch the nostrils together for 15-20 minutes by the clock.
Concerns About a Broken (fractured) Nose:
- Not all swollen noses have a fracture.
- If the injured nose is broken; it is standard practice to delay correction until the swelling is gone because the swelling interferes with a more accurate diagnosis and treatment.
- X-ray films are not always helpful because injuries to the cartilage do not show up. (Most of the nose is cartilage.)
- Looking at the nose after the swelling is gone (day 5 to 7) is the best way to tell if it is really fractured. Delayed surgery also helps the surgeon better see what needs to be fixed.
Pain Medication: For pain relief, take acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) every 4-6 hours (adults 650 mg). Do not use aspirin for pain relief as it interferes with your normal clotting and thus can increase the likelihood of nose bleeding.
IF your symptoms become worse: Review Should I Call? recommendations.