A blocked nose after a blow to the face may hide trapped blood
An ear, nose and throat doctor on septal hematomas
After a blow to the face, blood can collect inside the wall between your nostrils. That wall is called the septum. Blood pooled under its lining is a septal hematoma. It may block one side of your nose or both, even if your nose looks straight from the outside. Left untreated, the blood can harm the cartilage that supports the nose or become infected. A doctor has to look inside your nose to find it. [1, 2]
Have any new stuffiness checked quickly
Tell your doctor when you were hurt and whether breathing through your nose has gotten harder. Mention any soft swelling inside the nose, pain that’s growing or a fever. Ask whether the septum was checked at your first visit. If your nose becomes newly blocked, or more blocked, after you get home, have it checked again urgently. Don’t write it off as the usual swelling that comes with a broken nose. [1, 2]
How it's treated and followed
If you have a septal hematoma, an ear, nose and throat team may need to drain it quickly. Ask how your nose will be protected afterward and whether you need medicine. Find out when they’ll look inside your nose again. If the nasal bones are also out of place, ask about a separate visit after the outside swelling goes down. Those two choices are made separately and on different schedules. [1, 2]
Signs that can't wait
Get urgent care if your nose gets more blocked, the inside of the septum swells or you run a fever. Facial pain that’s getting worse or a nosebleed that won’t stop also needs urgent care. Get emergency care for trouble breathing, a severe headache or confusion. The same applies to clear fluid leaking from the nose after a head injury. Never try to drain the swelling on your own. [1, 2]
What to ask the nose specialist
- Did someone look inside my nose to rule out a septal hematoma?
- If it was drained, when will it be checked again?
- Does the shape of my nose need its own follow up?
Harder breathing means an exam today
Sources and further reading
This page shares general education from an ear, nose and throat specialist. A possible septal hematoma needs a prompt exam and treatment. If blockage or swelling shows up, don’t hold off until your routine broken nose visit.
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