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How can you care for yourself at home when you have a bruised nose?
- Put ice or a cold pack on your nose for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Put a thin cloth between the ice pack and your skin. Try to do this every 1 to 2 hours for the first 3 days (when you are awake) or until the swelling goes down.
- Sleep with your head slightly raised until the swelling goes down. Prop up your head and shoulders on pillows.
- Ask your doctor when it's okay to return to your normal activities.
- Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
- If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
- If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
Bruised nose: When to call
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- Your pain gets worse.
- You have new or worse swelling.
- You have swelling or a bump on the thin wall (nasal septum) between the nostrils of your nose.
- You have new or worse bleeding.
- The area near the bruise is tingly, weak, or numb.
- You have vision changes.
- You have clear fluid draining from your nose.
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- You do not get better as expected.
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