Overview

A broken nose is a break, or fracture, of the bone or cartilage. Most broken noses need only home care and a follow-up visit with a doctor. The swelling should go down in a few days. Bruises around your child's eyes and nose should go away in 2 to 3 weeks.

Healthy habits can help your child heal. Give your child a variety of healthy foods. And don't smoke around your child.

How can you care for your child at home?

• If your child has a nasal splint or packing, leave it in place until a doctor removes it.
• If the doctor prescribed antibiotics, give them to your child as directed. Do not stop giving them just because your child feels better. Your child needs to take the full course of antibiotics.
• Give your child a decongestant as directed to help your child breathe after the splint or packing is removed. The doctor may give your child a prescription or suggest over-the-counter medicine.
• Be safe with medicines. Give pain medicines exactly as directed.
  • If the doctor gave your child a prescription medicine for pain, give it as prescribed.
  • If your child is not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask the doctor if your child can take an over-the-counter medicine.
• Put ice or a cold pack on your child's nose for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Try to do this every 1 to 2 hours for the first 3 days (when your child is awake) or until the swelling goes down. Put a thin cloth between the ice pack and your child's skin.
• Keep your child's head slightly raised while sleeping until the swelling goes down. Prop up your child's head on pillows.
• Ask the doctor when it's okay for your child to return to their normal activities.