Facial Fracture
You have a broken bone, or fracture, in your face. This may be a small crack in the bone. Or it may be a major break, with the bone moved out of place.
Depending on where the break is, you may have pain when you chew. You may also have nasal congestion, sinus pain, and nose bleeding.
During the first 24 hours after injury, you may have swelling or bruising where the break is, or around your eyes. A blow to the face strong enough to cause a broken bone may also cause a concussion or more serious brain injury.
Home care
Facial fractures benefit from ice, rest, and pain control:
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Use an ice pack on the injured area for no more than 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Do this every 1 to 2 hours for the first 24 to 48 hours. Then use the ice pack as needed to ease pain and swelling. To make an ice pack, put ice cubes in a plastic bag that seals at the top. Wrap the bag in a clean, thin towel or cloth. Never put ice or an ice pack directly on the skin.
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You may use over-the-counter pain medicine to control pain, unless another pain medicine was prescribed. Talk with your health care provider before using this medicine if you have chronic liver or kidney disease or a history of gastrointestinal ulcers or take a blood thinner.
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Sleep with your head raised on 2 or more pillows to ease swelling.
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If you have facial pain when eating, don’t eat crunchy or chewy foods. A softer diet will be more comfortable for the first 2 to 3 weeks. Stay away from eating or drinking very hot or very cold foods.
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If you were given antibiotics to prevent an infection, take them as directed until you have finished the prescription.
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If your nose bleeds, sit up and lean forward. Pinch your nostrils together for 10 to 15 minutes. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, keep pinching your nostrils and contact your provider. Don’t blow your nose for 12 hours after the bleeding stops. This will allow a strong blood clot to form. Don’t pick your nose.
Special note on concussions
If you had any symptoms of a concussion today, don’t return to sports or any activity that could result in another head injury.
These are symptoms of a concussion:
Wait until all of your symptoms are gone and your health care provider says it’s okay to resume your activity. Having a second head injury before you fully recover from the first one can lead to serious brain injury.
Follow-up care
Follow up with your health care provider in 1 week, or as advised. This is to make sure the bone is healing as it should and is correctly aligned.
If you had X-rays or CT scans taken, you'll be told of any new findings that may affect your care. Your provider will let you know when you can get back to your normal activities or sports.
When to get medical advice
Contact your health care provider right away if any of these occur:
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Swelling or pain in your face gets worse.
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You see redness or feel warmth, or pus is draining from the injured area.
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You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by your provider.
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You have chills.
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You have double vision.
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You are nauseous.
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You have ringing in your ears that doesn't stop.
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Blood or watery fluid is oozing from your nose or ears.
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You're stumbling or have difficulty walking.
Call 911
Call 911 if you have:
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Repeated vomiting.
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Severe headache or dizziness.
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Headache or dizziness that gets worse.
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Abnormal drowsiness, or you're unable to wake up as usual.
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Confusion or change in behavior or speech.
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A convulsion, or a seizure.
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Pupils (the dark center part of the eyes) of unequal size.