How to tell if your child’s nose is broken

Accidents happen…and sometimes that accident comes in the form of a wallop to your child’s nose. But how do you know if your child has a broken nose? Maithilee Menezes, MD, a Washington University otolaryngologist at St. Louis Children’s Hospital talks about three things to look for when your child injures their nose, including when they should see a pediatrician.

1. A lack of visible swelling or bruising usually means there is no break. If it seems like it’s just a little bonk on the nose, it’s likely that the nose isn’t broken.
2. If there is significant swelling or heavy bleeding, the nose might be broken. If your child’s nose is actively bleeding or it feels really swollen, a provider may recommend going to urgent care or the emergency department, where they can get X-rays.
3. Your provider may ask for an ENT consult. An ENT will want to see what the nose looks like after the swelling has gone down, typically five to seven days after the injury. If the bones look out of alignment, they may recommend a closed reduction and shift the bones back into place. If the bones are aligned, no reduction may be needed, even if the nose is broken.

The St. Louis Children’s Hospital YouTube station is intended as a reference and information source only. If you suspect you have a health problem, you should seek immediate care with the appropriate health care professionals. The information on this website is not a substitute for professional care, and must not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. For help finding a doctor, St. Louis Children's Hospital Answer Line may be of assistance at 314.454.KIDS (5437). The opinions expressed in these videos are those of the individual writers, not necessarily St. Louis Children's Hospital or Washington University School of Medicine. BJC HealthCare and Washington University School of Medicine assume no liability for the information contained in this website or for its use.