How to Recover from a Broken Nose

United Airlines was in the news recently after a video of a passenger that was bumped off a flight and dragged unceremoniously across the aisle went viral. According to his lawyers, David Dao suffered from a broken nose and an injury to the sinus after the violent dragging, and will need to undergo reconstructive surgery.

Aside from showing the glaring inefficiency of the airline and the completely unnecessary show of force, the United Airlines incident underscores the importance of reconstructive surgery.

A reconstructive surgery is a medical procedure that aims to improve either or both the shape and function of a certain body part, such as your nose.

Why the Nose Gets Broken

Because of its prominent location, the nose is a vulnerable part of your face. Getting your nose broken is something that happens quite often, more than you think.

It can happen to kids who get all sorts of bumps and bruises in the playground. It happens to people who accidentally get struck by a glass wall, or fall down a slippery floor. It happens to people in a vehicle or biking accident.

It happen frequently to people who play contact sports (such as boxing). It can happen to people who get into a fight. And yes, it can also happen to a person who is simply traveling by airplane.

Home Remedies for a Broken Nose

Most of the time, a broken nose will not require medical attention and will heal on its own. For an immediate treatment of a broken nose, here’s what you need to do:

1. Lean forward and breathe through the mouth to prevent blood from going to the throat.
2. Apply ice or cold compress to reduce swelling. Wrap the ice in a clean towel before applying to prevent frostbite.
3. Prop your head up using several pillows to keep it elevated.
4. Take an over-the-counter painkiller such as Tylenol to relieve the pain, and limit physical activities for the next couple of weeks.

When to Seek Professional Treatment for a Broken Nose

There may come a time when a DIY at-home treatment will no longer suffice. You need to have a broken nose checked by a Los Angeles sinus doctor if you are experiencing severe pain, uncontrollable bleeding, and breathing difficulties.

If the swelling does not go away in three days, or if your nose has taken on a crooked or twisted appearance, it is time to seek professional treatment to see if the septum has deviated.

What Happens During a Septoplasty

If you are worried about going under the knife, then I have good news for you: the Los Angeles Sinus Institute offers minimally invasive surgery to treat a broken nose and repair a deviated septum. We offer septoplasty, an outpatient medical procedure that repairs a displaced septum that resulted from a broken nose.

During a septoplasty procedure, an incision is made inside the nostril and the mucous membrane is lifted up to expose the septum. The shape of the deformed septum is then corrected.

Drop by the Institute so we can check on the severity of your broken nose and to determine if you qualify for a septoplasty procedure.