A nasal contusion means a bruised nose. When the nose gets hit, blood vessels are injured and blood can leak out under the skin, causing the tender, purplish mark known as a bruise. Injuries to the nose can cause a lot of swelling and look serious, but usually don't cause lasting problems. You can help comfort your child while the bruise heals.

• If your child has pain, and your health care providers says it's OK, you can give medicines such as acetaminophen (Tylenol^® or a store brand) or ibuprofen (Advil^®, Motrin^®, or a store brand). Don't give ibuprofen to babies under 6 months old.
  • Follow the package directions for how much to give and how often. If you don't know the recommended dosage, or if your child is younger than 2 years old, call the health care provider to find out what to use and how much to give.
• For the next 24 hours, apply a cold pack to the bruised area every few hours while your child is awake. Leave the cold pack in place for 10–15 minutes each time. Wrap the cold pack in cloth or a towel. Do not apply ice directly to the skin.
• To reduce swelling, for 2 or 3 days have your child sleep with their head raised.
• If your child has a nosebleed, they should sit up and tilt their head slightly forward. Gently pinch the soft part of the nose using the index finger and thumb and hold it constantly for 10 minutes.

• The nose doesn't return to its normal shape or looks crooked after swelling goes down in 3–5 days.
• The bruise doesn't go away after 2 weeks.
• The bruise remains painful or gets more painful.
• The swelling increases.
• Your child gets a fever.

Your child:

• develops a nosebleed that won't stop after two attempts of applying pressure for 10 minutes each
• feels that their nose is blocked or has a lump inside it
• becomes weak or dizzy
• gets a severe headache
• seems confused or is drowsy
• has clear drainage from the nose

How do health care providers diagnose a nasal contusion? Health care providers carefully examine the nose and ask about what happened. If they have concerns about a different type of injury, they might order X-rays.

How long does it take for a nasal contusion to heal? In the first few days after the injury, the bruise and swelling might spread to the area around the eyes. This is normal and not a cause for concern. The swelling should go away within a few days. Over the next 2 weeks, the bruise should get less tender and fade in color until it's gone.

Can nasal contusions be prevented? Sometimes. These precautions can prevent some injuries that can cause bruising:

• Make sure your child wears the right safety gear such as a helmet, eye guard, mouthguard, or face mask when playing contact sports.
• Try to prevent falls by keeping floors free of clutter, cords, or loose rugs.