Playing a game of touch football in Mehaffey Park, twirling around on ice skates or starting a couples tennis tournament are just some of the fun activities that help us stay healthy. Whichever sport you enjoy, taking proactive measures to avoid injury is crucial. One common injury worth protecting against is a broken nose.
How Common Are Nasal Fractures?
Nasal fractures account for approximately 40% to 50% of facial fractures. They’re common among people who play sports like basketball, boxing, tennis, football, cycling, skating or hockey.
You can identify a nasal fracture by the following symptoms:
- Pain and swelling around the nose
- Bruising around the nose and eyes
- Bleeding or mucus from the nose
- A bent nose
- Difficulty breathing through the nose
You should seek treatment immediately following a nasal fracture. Your ENT specialist may need to realign your nose manually. Serious breaks may require surgery.
Preventing Nasal Fractures
While you may not be able to prevent all accidents, there are a few things you can do to minimize your risk of a nasal fracture without sacrificing your favorite sports:
- Wear protective equipment. Wear a helmet with a face guard when playing contact sports. Wear a helmet every time you ride a bike, even for short trips. You should look for helmets specific to the sport you’re playing, as they’ll be designed to protect the most likely points of contact. A bike helmet, for example, will protect the front of your face, while a skating helmet will protect the sides and back of your head.
- Take your time learning. If you’re new to a sport, take your time learning the ins and outs of it. For example, if you pick up boxing, spend just as much time learning how to protect your face as you would learning how to punch.
- Take safety instructions seriously. Safety instructions can occasionally feel over the top, but they exist for a reason. If you’re learning a sport with an instructor, follow their guidelines to the letter.
For more information on protecting your nose or to schedule an appointment after a fracture, contact Alpine Ear Nose & Throat PC today.