Directory of Diseases
This is an abscess or boil on the nose. It is usually caused by bacteria that starts to grow under the skin and stimulates the production of pus and swelling. An abscess may start from an infected hair follicle or a small pimple. They are usually tender, hot, red and may have pus drainage. Some of the time an abscess can be treated with just antibiotics, however, most of the time they need to be cut open and drained.
A nasal contusion is a bruise of the soft tissues of the nose. This occurs when one is hit forcibly on the nose. A bruise can occur if small blood vessels under the skin tear or rupture from the injury. Blood leaks out of the damaged blood vessels causing a "black-and-blue" discoloration under the skin. Occasionally, it can also cause a nosebleed, the majority of which will stop on their own. Some people with nasal contusions may also have a nasal fracture as well. However, If the nose does not looked crooked or majorly deformed and there is not severe pain or crunching when the bridge of the nose is touched, then it is most likely not a fracture. Although most nasal contusions are not emergencies, you will need an in person medical evaluation and x-ray to make sure you do not have a fracture.
A nasal fracture means there are broken bones in the nose. The bones in the nose are one of the most commonly broken bones of the face. Although most do not require special treatment, they may need to be re-adjusted if they are out of place. The only way to know for sure if you have a broken nose is to get an x-ray. If the nose looks deformed, there is a lot of swelling, it has turned blue, and there is severe pain when you touch the bones on the bridge of the nose, then there might be a fracture.
Cellulitis is a potentially serious bacterial infection of the skin. This can start from a scratch, a pimple, or a hair follicle that becomes infected. Even minor breaks in the skin can lead to this condition. People with cellulitis may develop hot, red skin, and fever. This infection can spread to multiple parts of the body. This condition needs to be treated with antibiotics. If a person thinks they have this condition, they should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
A neck contusion is a bruise of the soft tissues of the neck. This occurs when one is hit forcibly on the neck. A bruise can occur if small blood vessels under the skin tear or rupture from the injury. Blood leaks out of the damaged blood vessels causing a "black-and-blue" discoloration under the skin. Although most contusions are not emergencies, if you have a contusion in your neck from a severe injury you should seek an in person medical evaluation.
A hematoma is a collection of blood underneath the skin and outside of the blood vessels. This usually occurs as a result of bleeding from trauma. It is the same as a large bruise that results from ruptured blood vessels that became damaged from direct injury. If you had trauma to your neck and have a hematoma, you must be seen by a physician to make sure that you do not have other associated injuries.
This is a muscle spasm in the neck. Muscle spasms can be painful, and often times can limit the ability of a person to move their neck. The pain usually gets worse when trying to move the head or neck. It is important to rest the neck when one is experiencing muscle spasms or the pain may get worse. Treatment involves using a heating pad, Ibuprofen or Tylenol, and muscle relaxant medication.
Shingles is a painful rash that occurs due to a reactivation of the chickenpox virus (Varicella Zoster Virus). It most commonly occurs as a single "stripe" of clustered blisters that wraps around either the left or right side of the chest wall or rib cage. However, shingles can occur in other places of the body such as the head and neck. Individuals that have had chickenpox in the past carry the inactive virus in their nerve tissues in the body. Years later, the same virus can reactivate due to stress, an immunocompromised state, age, or other unknown factors and cause the rash known as shingles. Shingles is not life-threatening but can be quite painful. Early treatment with antiviral medication can help to shorten the duration of shingles. The rash may continue to hurt even after it has cleared.
