Broken nose
Overview
A broken nose usually heals on its own within 3 weeks. Get medical help if it's not getting better or your nose has changed shape.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a broken nose include: pain, swelling and bruisinga crunching or crackling sound when you touch your nosedifficulty breathing through your nose – it might feel blockedyour nose changing shape – for example, it's not as straight as before
Treatment
You can usually treat a broken nose yourself. It should start getting better within 3 days and be fully healed within 3 weeks. hold an ice pack (or bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a tea towel on your nose for up to 15 minutes, several times a day hold an ice pack (or bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a tea towel on your nose for up to 15 minutes, several times a day takeparacetamolto relieve pain takeparacetamolto relieve pain treat nosebleeds by sitting or standing upright and leaning forward – if possible, pinch your nose above the nostrils for up to 15 minutes treat nosebleeds by sitting or standing upright and leaning forward – if possible, pinch your nose above the nostrils for up to 15 minutes keep your head upright when lying in bed by adding more pillows – this will help to reduce swelling keep your head upright when lying in bed by adding more pillows – this will help to reduce swelling treat minor cuts and grazes by stopping any bleeding, cleaning the wound and covering it with a plaster or dressing treat minor cuts and grazes by stopping any bleeding, cleaning the wound and covering it with a plaster or dressing do not try to straighten your nose yourself if it's changed shape – get help from NHS 111 do not try to straighten your nose yourself if it's changed shape – get help from NHS 111 do not wear glasses until the swelling has gone down, unless you need them do not wear glasses until the swelling has gone down, unless you need them do not pick or blow your nose until it's healed do not pick or blow your nose until it's healed do not do strenuous exercise for the first 2 weeks do not do strenuous exercise for the first 2 weeks do not play sports for at least 6 weeks if there's a chance your face might be hit do not play sports for at least 6 weeks if there's a chance your face might be hit A GP might prescribe stronger painkillers if paracetamol is not helping with pain caused by a broken nose. If you have a severe broken nose or it's changed shape, you may be referred to a specialist in hospital for assessment and treatment.