Minor bumps are unlikely to break the nasal bone, but violent injuries such as a punch are. Immediately after the injury it's usually possible to tell whether the bone is broken by simply looking to see if the shape of the nose is distorted. Before long, however, swelling appears and obscures any possible damage. Until this swelling has subsided it's difficult to tell whether the nasal bone is broken or not. However, when a heavy blow to the nose is immediately followed by profuse bleeding, it’s fairly likely that it's broken. It usually takes between five and seven days for any swelling to disappear and at this time it's a good idea for a doctor to perform an examination. In the meantime, gently applying ice wrapped in a cloth or some arnica cream will help reduce the swelling. If the nose is bleeding, make sure the person is leaning forward so the blood doesn’t trickle back down the throat, and apply gentle pressure around the nose until the bleeding stops. Simple pain killers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen should be enough to relieve the pain. It's not generally necessary to have x-rays taken of a possible broken nose, since they don't help the doctor decide which treatment is needed. When they're done, it's usually for medico-legal reasons - when someone's been assaulted, for example. If the bone is broken and has caused a deformity it needs to be corrected under anaesthetic. If it's not deformed the bone will heal without any need for treatment. If one or both of the nasal passages feel or appear blocked or keep bleeding then you should request the opinion of an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist.