Thanks to increased use of seat belts and airbags, Georgia residents are less likely to suffer facial injuries in a car accident than they were a few decades ago. However, when facial trauma does occur, it often involves a victim’s nose.
Nose injuries caused by car accidents
While cars are safer than ever before, studies show that motor vehicle accidents are still the top cause of severe facial injuries. One of the most common types of facial trauma is a nasal fracture.
A nasal fracture is a crack in the bone or cartilage over the bridge of the nose. In a motor vehicle accident, nasal fractures often occur when someone’s face hits the steering wheel or dashboard on impact. They can also happen when someone’s nose smashes into an inflated airbag.
Symptoms of nasal fractures include:
- Pain and tenderness
- Swelling
- Bleeding
- Bruising
- Nasal discharge
- Blocked nasal passages
- A crooked or misshapen nose
Nasal fractures can also cause complications, including:
- A deviated septum, which is when the wall between the nostrils is displaced
- A septal hematoma, which is a blood clot blocking one or both nostrils
Long-term health issues associated with nose fractures
People who suffer nose injuries in a car accident should seek immediate medical care. When not properly treated, a fractured nose can lead to a number of long-term health problems, including nose deformities, chronic pain, sinus infections, sleep and snoring issues, congestion and a heightened sensitivity to allergies. In many cases, doctors recommend surgery to properly realign the structures of the nose and relieve discomfort.
