Update on Calista's Nose

I've been taking pics of her nose daily. It is looking better. There is still some bruising on the right side. The color is yellowish now. I'll upload pics from my camera once the batteries are charged.

Here's what I've read about broken noses:

What is a nose injury?

When a nose is hit, it often becomes bloody, bruised, and swollen. In most cases it is not broken. Even when it is broken, x-rays are not helpful. It's best to wait 5 days, when the swelling is gone. If the nose looks crooked or different than it used to, you will probably need to see an ear-nose-throat surgeon. For mild breaks of the nose, it works best to correct the break a few days after the injury. Severe breaks of the nose are often fixed the same day in the operating room.

How can I take care of my child?

• Bruises or swelling. Apply ice to the area for 20 minutes. One hour later apply ice again for 20 minutes. Give acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) as necessary for pain. Do not give aspirin.
  
• Cuts or scrapes. Scrub the area with soap and water for 5 minutes. Then apply pressure for 10 minutes with a very clean cloth (or sterile gauze if you have it) to stop bleeding from the cut or scrape. If the scrape is large, apply an antibiotic ointment and cover the scrape with a Band-Aid for 1 day.
  
• Nosebleed. To stop a nosebleed, squeeze the soft parts of the nose against the center wall for 10 minutes.

Call your child's doctor right away if:

• You are sure the nose is broken or crooked.
  
• The skin is split open and may need stitches.
  
• A nosebleed won't stop after 10 minutes of direct pressure.
  
• Your child can't breathe through the nose.

Call your child's doctor during office hours if:

• The shape of the nose has not returned to normal after 5 days.
  
• A yellow discharge, increasing soreness, fever, or other signs of infection occur.
  
• You have other concerns or questions.

Okay, for Calista, there was no split or broken skin. We did the ice. And she didn't bleed that much. There was a few drops of blood on the sleeves of her shirt. She's breathing out of her nose.

Its been six days... there is still a bump on the side of her nose area. No discharge, no fever or other signs of infection. I don't believe it hurts as much either.

And from WebMD:

How do I get a broken nose?
You can break your nose during play, sports, accidents, fights, and falls. However, it may be hard to tell if your nose is broken. Swelling can make your nose look crooked even if it is not broken. When the swelling goes down after a few days, it is easier to tell if your nose is really crooked and possibly broken.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of a broken nose include:

Nose pain.
Swelling of the nose.
A crooked or bent appearance.
Bruising around the nose or eyes.
A runny nose or a nosebleed.
A grating sound or feeling when the nose is touched or rubbed.
Blocked nasal passages.

Possible complications of a broken nose include:

Infection of the nose, sinuses, or facial bones.
Permanent breathing difficulty.
Persistent drainage from one or both nostrils. This may be caused by cerebral spinal fluid draining from the brain into the nose (CSF rhinorrhea) and can occur after a head injury or after surgery on the nose or ears.
Change in the appearance of the nose or the tip of the nose.
Crooked (deviated) nasal septum. The nasal septum is the structure that divides the nose into two parts. See an illustration of a deviated nasal septum.
A hole in the nasal septum (septal perforation).
An accumulation of blood in the nasal septum (nasal septal hematoma).
A change in or loss of sense of smell.

She didn't have any other bruising besides on the side of her nose. There's no grating sounds. In fact, when I feel it, it really feels the same on both sides. Jeremy says the tip is crooked now. There's been no drainage. She's been breathing fine. Yes, I'd like to take her to a doctor anyways but Jeremy's been driving my car to work for the past couple of months. And he doesn't think she needs to go in.

I'll post the pics in a few hours. Wyatt's ready to return to bed. :D