Broken Nose Symptoms & Diagnosis

Symptoms

Symptoms of a broken nose include:

• Pain in the nose or surrounding area of the face
• Swelling of the nose or surrounding area of the face
• Bleeding from the nose (often heavy)
• Difficulty breathing through the nose or nostril
• Discoloration of the nose
• Black eyes
• Crooked or misshapen appearance of the nose (may not appear until swelling subsides)

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and how the injury occurred, and will examine your nose and face for:

• Irregularities in the shape
• Movement of the bones of the nose and face
• Rough sensation when your nose is moved
• Pain or tenderness to touch
• Injury to the nasal septum (especially hematoma)
• Any fluid from the nose (such as blood or even cerebrospinal fluid in severe cases)

Tests may include:

• X-rays of the nose—usually not necessary, but may be used to confirm the fracture and check its location and severity.
• CT scan —usually not necessary, but may be used to confirm the fracture and check its location and severity.