Nasal Contusion
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 6, 2025.
What is a nasal contusion?
A nasal contusion is a bruise that appears on your nose after an injury. A bruise happens when small blood vessels tear but skin does not. Blood leaks into nearby tissue, such as soft tissue or muscle.
What increases my risk for a nasal contusion?
- A disorder that makes you bleed more easily
- Kidney or liver disease, or an infection
- Medicines such as blood thinners or certain over-the-counter medicines and herbal medicines
- Weakened skin and muscles from older age or nutrition problems
What are the signs and symptoms of a nasal contusion?
- An area that may be black, blue, red, or darker than the skin around it
- Pain that increases when you touch the bruise or move your nose
- Swelling or a lump at the site of the bruise or near it
How is a nasal contusion diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider may ask about any injuries, infections, or bleeding problems you had in the past. Your provider will check the skin over the injured area. Your provider may touch it to see where it hurts. Your provider may also check for problems you may have when you move your bruised area. You may also need any of the following:
- Blood tests may be used to check for blood disorders or to see how long it takes for your blood to clot.
- Ultrasound pictures may show how deep the bruise is and if you have any other injury in the area.
- MRI pictures may show if a hematoma (pooling of blood) has started to form. You may be given contrast liquid to help the pictures show up better. Tell the healthcare provider if you have ever had an allergic reaction to contrast liquid. Do not enter the MRI room with anything metal. The MRI machine uses a powerful magnet. Metal can cause serious injury from the magnet. Tell the healthcare provider if you have any metal in or on your body.
How is a nasal contusion treated?
Your contusion may heal without any treatment. The bruise may become lighter or change to green or yellow as it heals. You may need any of the following if the contusion is severe or does not heal easily:
- Medicine may be needed to treat or prevent pain or swelling.
- Aspiration is a procedure to drain pooled blood to prevent pressure from building up.
What can I do to manage a nasal contusion?
- Rest your nose as much as possible. Do not blow your nose for a few days, if possible.
- Apply ice to decrease swelling and pain. Ice may also help prevent tissue damage. Use an ice pack, or put crushed ice in a plastic bag. Cover the bag with a towel and place it on your bruise for 15 to 20 minutes every hour or as directed.
- Elevate (raise) your head above the level of your heart to help decrease pain and swelling. Use pillows, blankets, or rolled towels to elevate the area as often as you can.
- Do not massage the area or put heating pads on the bruise right after your injury. Heat and massage may slow healing. Your healthcare provider may tell you to apply heat after several days. At that time, heat will start to help the injury heal.
How can I prevent a nasal contusion?
- Use safety belts and child restraints.
- Use safety helmets when you ride a bicycle or motorcycle.
- Use a mouth and face guard during sports.
When should I seek immediate care?
- You have a fever.
- You cannot breathe through your nostrils.
- You have bleeding from your nose that does not stop when you apply pressure.
- You notice a change in the shape of your nose.
- You have watery, clear fluid draining from your nose.
- You have tingling or numbness in or near the injured area.
- You have any changes in your vision.
When should I call my doctor?
- Your symptoms do not improve with treatment.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
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