General Medical Question - Urgent - possible bruised or broken nose.

[Airplanes]

I went four wheeled driving last night with friends, at a place called Monkey Tree Fire Trail, and I banged my nose hard against the back of my friend Brucey's head. It instantly swelled up and doesn't feel like it normally does. I can't blow my nose or touch any of the area around the nose without getting pain, and everytime I move it (I have a habit of flaring my nostrils and moving my nose) it kills with pain.

I was wondering if anyone knew if it could be broken or bruised. I don't want to go to the hospital if it's not badly hurt, because my local hospital is quite swamped on Saturday nights and I'd be there for 8-10 hours in a waiting room.

[xPure]

Apply ice on it, the quicker the better. Does it hurt when you breathe through the nose?

[Crayon,]

You should go to A&E Jessa, broken noses can lead to serious complications. Even if it doesn't look out of place it still could be. Text me if you need someone to talk to if you go up hun x

[Animad]

I agree, you need to go to hospital regarding this. It is impossible for us to say one way or another whether it's bruising/ a fractured bone/ cartilage damage/ a combo of them. I would suggest to try not to mess with you nose if you can help it before you go but I would go sooner rather than later.

I also would advise AGAINST using ice on the area. Areas on the face (as well as some other parts of the body) are more sensitive to the cold and so if you were to do this then any longer than a couple of minutes and it could cause more damage. I also feel that by doing this you could put more pressure on the damaged structures (if there are any) and if that is the case and they move a bit then there is always a chance of it affecting your airways.

If it starts to bleed and bleeds really quickly or doesn't stop after 10minutes with you pinching your nostrils (DON'T hold your head up so you're looking up at the ceiling. I know some advise it but it doesn't slow the bleeding but means it is less likely to come out purely because it runs down your throat which isn't nice and could irritate your lungs if it goes down your trachea instead of being swallowed) then you need to go to the hospital straight away. Don't drive yourself there if this does occur. I'm not saying I definitely think it will it's just there always is a chance.

[Animad]

Is your neck OK? Can you move that fully? Is there any tenderness or stiffness there? If you do then this should also be mentioned to the doctor too who can check this out. I'm just thinking that your neck will obviously have been jolted forward by the sound of it as well as the fact that you have bashed your head (which is more related to the following questions).

Also, have you got headache/ can you still see and read properly (or to the level you could before the accident if your eyesight isn't that good anyway)/ can you remember everything that happened and don't have gaps in your memory since then/ any felings of nausea or have you been vomitting/ any dizziness/ poor concentration or being unable to follow a conversation/ any excessive tiredness or feeling distant/ dislike of bright lights or noice which is different to usual? If any of those signs (often several) are present then it may be you have concussion and so you'd need to go to the ED (or be assessed my your doctor or ot of hours GP)straight away and again do NOT drive there as your reaction times and concentration will be poor, your sight possibly not good enough and there's an increase risk of problems occurring such as falling asleep behind the wheel.

[Airplanes]

My nose is stiff and I can't move it without pain. My sight is already slightly bad because I forgot to pay for my glasses a year ago. I had a concussion and prevented myself going to sleep. I have a huge lump on my forehead, bruises on my arms and my spine from hitting the back of the seat in the car and I had pain in my neck but that passed. I keep getting both clear runny discharge and blood from my nose, particulary my right nostril. I sent a photo to my mother who is an AIN and has had experience with broken bones. I've never broken a bone before so I'm unsure. Right now, it still feels swollen, even though its been 48 hours since I went 4x4 driving and I can't move it without pain.

[Airplanes]

I just went up to the ed and they said it was dislocated, they put it back into place, gave me pain meds and sent me on my way, saying the swelling would eventually go down.