Your nose has bruising (contusion). You don’t appear to have any broken bones. A bruise may cause pain, swelling, and stuffiness of the nose. You may also have bleeding.
To ease pain and swelling, wrap a bag of ice, cold pack, or frozen peas in a thin towel. Place the cold source on your nose for 10 minutes at a time. Do this every 2 hours during the first 24 hours. Then continue 4 times a day for the next 2 days.
Take pain medicines as directed. Talk with your healthcare provider before taking aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen to help control pain.
Tell the healthcare provider if you are taking aspirin or blood thinners.
Don't blow your nose for the first 2 days. After this, blow your nose gently. This helps prevent new bleeding.
Don’t drink alcohol or hot liquids for the next 2 days. These can dilate blood vessels in your nose and cause bleeding.
Sleep with your head elevated for a couple of days until the swelling and pain being to lessen.
Don't do any activity that could result in another head injury until you are given the OK to do so.
Because the injury was to your head, it's possible that you could have a concussion (mild brain injury). Symptoms of concussion can show up later. For this reason, be alert for signs and symptoms of a concussion. Seek emergency medical care if any of these develop over the next hours to days:
Headache
Nausea or vomiting
Dizziness
Sensitivity to light or noise
Unusual sleepiness or grogginess
Trouble falling asleep
Personality changes
Vision changes
Memory loss
Confusion
Trouble walking or clumsiness
Loss of consciousness (even for a short time)
Inability to be awakened
Follow up with your healthcare provider, or as advised. If you have been referred to a specialist, make an appointment within 3 to 5 days of the injury.
Note: If X-rays were taken, you will be notified of any new findings that may affect your care.
Call your healthcare provider right away if any of these occur:
Bleeding from your nose that won't stop
Your nose looks crooked
You can't breathe through -one or both sides of your nose
Facial swelling, pain, or redness that gets worse
Fever of 100.4ºF (38ºC) or higher, or as directed by your healthcare provider
Pus or clear discharge from your nose
Skin on the nose is split open or has a gap
Sinus pain
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