Should I See a Doctor if my Nose Makes a Cracking Sound One Week After an Injury?

Great question. Typically after someone hits his or her nose, if it breaks it typically bleeds a lot from inside the nose, which sounds like what you are describing. However, we typically only do anything to fix it if the nose appears deviated or you are having new difficulty breathing. Regardless of those symptoms, if you have a septal hematoma, it is good to drain it to avoid it from causing infection or leaving a septal perforation long-term. The cracking sound you are describing could be secondary to the injury or could be normal. If I grab my own nose and move the tip from side to side, I hear what could be described as a "cracking" noise, and it's just the cartilages moving against each other. Either way in your case it's safest to get it checked out, and it should be checked out within the first week of injury, because if you need surgery, you only have 2 weeks or so from the injury date to get it done. Good luck!
-Dr. David Mattos, New York Plastic Surgical Group

The rationale for evaluation by a reputable ENT is to ensure you do not have a septal hematoma - a collection of blood within your nasal septum that can lead to cartilage loss if it's not drained. If your nose looks and breathes well, there may be nothing to do. The cracking sensation may be permanent. Hope this helps. Dr Joseph

 Nasal trauma of this magnitude can indeed fracture the nasal bones, septum and upper lateral cartilages. Its important to make sure there is no septal hematoma.  It's also a good idea  to get an x-ray to document any nasal fracture.