Nasal Trauma: Beyond Skin Deep
Injuries to the nose can impact more than just appearance. There are hidden effects of nasal trauma and ways to safeguard your nasal health.
During the usual bumps and scrapes of childhood and some of the more unusual bumps and scrapes of teenage and adult years, broken noses may pass undiagnosed and untreated.
For those who have noses affected by trauma, concerns may be both functional and aesthetic. Functional changes can manifest as difficulty taking a deep breath through the nose, a sensation of nasal blockage, and snoring among others. Because the development of the nose continues through age 16 in girls and 17 in boys, trauma that affects the nose during early development may have lasting impacts on nasal and facial growth that become apparent into adulthood.
Externally, nasal bones that have been affected by trauma may heal improperly. If the bones are allowed to heal out of proper alignment, the nose may have a crooked appearance or point off center. An uneven appearance of the bridge of the nose or ‘bumps’ may develop from overlapping or prominent edges of bone.
What should you do right after an injury to the nose?
Early after any trauma to the face, it is important to have an evaluation to assess for injuries. Nasal bone fractures can be associated with injury to the cervical spine and injury to other bones in the face. If there is any concern that the cartilaginous septum (the internal structure of the nose that separates the nostrils and nasal passages) has been injured or displaced, it is important to address this concern early. Surgery may be necessary to realign bones and cartilage pushed out of anatomic alignment after an injury, and these structures should be reduced within 7-14 days of an injury.
Can anything be done about an old injury?
If an injury is older but has resulted in cosmetic or functional changes to the nose, an evaluation by a surgeon may be helpful to see whether surgery can help to correct these changes. Rhinoplasty and septoplasty are procedures that can be used to straighten a nose, smooth irregular contours, and correct septal deviations that affect the nose’s appearance and airflow.
What if I have had nose surgery, and have had a trauma?
If you have already had a rhinoplasty or other surgery on the nose, it is important to be evaluated by your surgeon. A thorough examination is especially important if you are very early in your recovery. Nasal bones can be damaged even after a prior nasal surgery. Photographs taken before the injury can be helpful to guide the evaluation.