Nose Injury During Sleep Leading to Metallic Flavor?
I’m a 21-year-old female, weighing 125 pounds. Approximately three years back, I underwent a septoplasty procedure. Recently, I experienced an incident where my partner unintentionally struck my nose with his elbow while I was asleep. The impact was enough to rouse me from my slumber; however, I did not experience any bleeding or noticeable bruising. Since that moment, I’ve been dealing with intermittent headaches. This morning, I noticed a persistent metallic taste in my mouth that has lingered for about nine hours now. Thankfully, I don’t have any additional symptoms at this time. Should I be worried about this? Is it necessary to seek immediate medical attention, or should I schedule a visit to an ENT specialist? What are my options?
Answers (1)
7/27/2025, 7:50:41 PM
OpenHealth AI
It’s understandable to feel concerned about a recent injury to your nose, particularly as it’s accompanied by a metallic taste and headaches. While the presence of a metallic taste can have several causes, including nasal injury, it's important to evaluate your symptoms and determine the best course of action.
Explanation:
The metallic taste you're experiencing can arise from various sources, including:
- Nasal Injury: Sometimes, trauma to the nose can affect the taste sensation or the olfactory nerves, which can lead to alterations in taste.
- Sinus issues: Due to trauma, potential changes in sinus pressure might result in discomfort or a persistent taste sensation.
- Medications: If you are taking any medications (even over-the-counter ones), they can also cause a metallic taste.
Your current symptoms of headaches and a lingering metallic taste warrant attention, especially because they are new after the nasal trauma.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep a close watch on your symptoms over the next 24-48 hours. Note any changes in the intensity of your headaches or the metallic taste. Try to identify any triggers that might worsen your symptoms.
-
Hydration: Stay well-hydrated. Drinking plenty of fluids can help flush out any potential irritants and alleviate some headache discomfort.
-
Rest: Ensure you are resting adequately to help your body recover from the trauma.
-
Consultation: Since your symptoms are persisting and due to the impact from the injury:
- If the headaches worsen or you develop new symptoms (like swelling, severe pain, vision changes, or nosebleeds), seek immediate medical attention.
- If your current symptoms continue without severe escalation, consider scheduling a visit to an ENT specialist. They can assess for any underlying issues like sinus blockage or damage related to the impact.
By taking these steps, you can effectively manage your condition while ensuring that any significant issues are promptly addressed. Let me know if you have any other questions or need further guidance!
Related Questions
Concerns About Post-Surgical Bleeding
At 19 years old, I underwent a breast reduction procedure six weeks ago, during which 6.1 pounds of tissue were excised. Unfortunately, just three days post-operation, I developed a significant hematoma of 500 cc that necessitated urgent surgical intervention for its removal. However, a complete blood count with differential conducted three weeks after my surgery returned normal results. Considering the substantial bleeding experienced during the surgery, should I pursue further evaluation for potential bleeding disorders, such as von Willebrand disease or others?
Could My Tooth Infection Lead to Serious Complications?
I’m a 21-year-old non-binary individual, standing at 5’8” and weighing 150 pounds. My medical background predominantly involves psychiatric treatments; however, I’m also under rheumatological care for lupus and I deal with PCOS as well. **Current Medications:** - Vyvanse 70mg - Topiramate 50mg, taken twice daily - Pantoprazole 40mg - Bupropion 450mg - Florinef 0.1mg - Metformin 500mg, taken twice daily - Colchicine 0.6mg - Quetiapine 50mg - Clonazepam 0.75mg - Prazosin 8mg - Spironolactone 75mg - Methadone 170mg - Kadian 1500mg - Naloxegol 25mg On Thursday morning, I began experiencing discomfort in one of my upper front teeth, which intensified significantly throughout the day, making the pain unbearable. Despite taking 1000mg of acetaminophen every four hours, 600mg of ibuprofen every eight hours, and 500mg of naproxen twice daily, the pain persisted until I could secure an emergency dental appointment on Friday evening. Unfortunately, none of these medications provided any relief. During my appointment, the dentist confirmed via X-ray that I have an infection or abscess present at the root of my tooth. The earliest time they could schedule me for a root canal procedure is the upcoming Monday. I was prescribed clindamycin (since I have a penicillin allergy) along with additional 600mg ibuprofen before being sent home. Fast forward to Saturday evening—what I previously thought was excruciating has escalated. The entire right side of my face has swelled up, nearly closing my eye. My neck and lymph nodes are inflamed, and I am experiencing radiating pain throughout my gums, jaw, face, head, temples, and throat. This pain has reached an unbearable level, and neither Tylenol nor any NSAIDs seem to alleviate it. Given my history of sepsis and bacteremia from basic infections, I am genuinely worried that my use of acetaminophen may be obscuring a possible fever. The infection’s location beneath my sinuses raises concerns about the potential for it to spread into a sinus infection or even enter my bloodstream. Though I’ve been taking the antibiotics since yesterday—perhaps excessively, I admit—out of sheer desperation for relief, my condition is not improving; rather, it seems to be deteriorating. Should I be alarmed at the prospect of developing dental sepsis, or might it be premature to conclude that?
Concerns about Possible Hantavirus Exposure
Hello everyone, I'm an 18-year-old male from Michigan, and I recently had an experience that's been weighing on my mind. While cleaning out an old wooden box from my family’s barn for storage, I noticed it was coated with various white and black debris, possibly from bats and maybe even rodents. After my first interaction with the box, I promptly washed my hands; however, during my second attempt, I neglected to do so and likely touched my face several times afterward. At that moment, the thought of hantavirus didn’t cross my mind, but now I can’t shake my worries about it. It’s been a few days since then, and I've developed a dry cough and a scratchy throat, which I suspect are unrelated, especially since hantavirus symptoms typically take longer to manifest. Despite its rarity, this situation sure fits the profile for potential exposure, and I’m uncertain if I should be concerned about my health or if I should just let it go. I’m also curious why hantavirus cases are so infrequent in the northeastern United States. There are plenty of deer mice in my vicinity, and I know many people who often encounter these rodents and their droppings without issues—but they all seem to be okay. I would greatly appreciate any advice or insights on this; I’m feeling a bit anxious about the whole situation.
Tropical Getaway: Rash or Serious Condition?
29 years old, weighing 190 pounds, and currently prescribed thyroid medication (no recent changes to my prescription). I've developed a rash on my forearm that feels like a sunburn and is hot when touched; it has also started to develop small, clear blisters after applying hydrocortisone. This issue began around two days ago while I was enjoying a tropical getaway, and the rash has intensified in color since then, with the blisters appearing recently. Initially, I suspected it might simply be a sunburn or a possible allergic response to plants, yet something about it feels unusual. I recently used a new sunscreen and a fragrant lotion (infused with orange and bergamot - not sure if that matters?), but I would expect that if they were problematic, the irritation would show up in other areas aside from just my arm. As mentioned, I am currently on vacation, so I’m considering my options (seeking medical advice could be quite costly) and contemplating the implications of sun exposure on my condition.
Concerning Heart Fluttering Symptoms
I’m a 20-year-old male, standing at 5'10" and weighing 155 pounds. I maintain a healthy lifestyle, not engaging in smoking or drinking, yet over the past week, I've been plagued with heart palpitations and unusual fluctuations in my heartbeat. This alarming situation has triggered a persistent wave of anxiety as I find myself increasingly concerned about my heart health. I’ve visited the emergency room multiple times, where medical professionals assured me that my heart appears to be in good condition. The irregularity in my heart rate becomes particularly evident when I’m walking, with my beats per minute rapidly varying, sometimes decreasing to a concerning level. The most unsettling moments arise when I attempt to fall asleep; during this time, I can feel my heart skipping beats for a prolonged period, creating a sensation as if my chest momentarily caves in. This experience often leaves me feeling slightly dizzy, especially upon inhalation, which seems to heighten these sensations significantly. Additionally, I wore a heart monitor for three days to document my heart activity, but the wait for results is testing my patience, as they’re not expected for another week. I am unsure how to proceed from here. It’s possible that I have experienced these symptoms before without realizing their impact, but their presence has become uncomfortably pronounced, particularly during my sleep.