A broken nose (nasal fracture) typically presents with several key symptoms: swelling, pain especially when touching the nose, nosebleeds, black eyes or bruising beneath the eyes, a bent or crooked appearance of the nose, trouble breathing through the nose, mucus discharge, and sometimes a cracking or crunching sound when the nose is touched. If the nose looks crooked or twisted, or if breathing is difficult even after swelling goes down, these are strong signs that the nose may be broken. Immediate medical attention is advised if there is uncontrollable bleeding, clear watery fluid from the nose (which could indicate a more serious injury), or if there is associated head or neck injury symptoms such as vomiting or loss of consciousness. An evaluation by a doctor can confirm the diagnosis, often by physical examination, and sometimes by X-rays or scans if other injuries are suspected. Treatment depends on severity, including manual realignment or surgery in severe cases, but many broken noses heal on their own with time and proper care like icing, pain management, and nasal protection as the swelling subsides.
