Heavy fall then nose 'leaks' - any ideas?

[bryce]

Hi - does anyone know if it's normal for greenish mucus-like liquid to drip out of your nose after a heavy fall? (I don't have a cold.)

I had a fall this morning and acquired a good amount of road rash (now treated) and also connected head-Tarmac (helmet on thankfully). When I got to work, the head-gunk started to flow out when I tipped my head down to pick something up. I assume it was because of the impact dislodging something.

Does anyone know the scientific term for this or if it's anything more sinister? I have also been feeling very dazed all day...

Thanks

 

[John the Monkey]

Go to the doctors/casualty.

Seriously.

 

[jay clock]

My ltd recollection of first aid includes "if there is straw coloured liquid from nose, hurry the f*ck up down to A&E". This could be brain fluid. Sorry to be dramatic but that is my recollection.

Keep us posted. If I am 100% wrong and it is bogeys, sorry....

 

[jay clock]

ok, i found this on Wikipedia

• leaking cerebrospinal fluid (a clear fluid drainage from nose, mouth or ear) may be and is strongly indicative of basilar skull fracture and the tearing of sheaths surrounding the brain, which can lead to secondary brain infection.

It was on this page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_injury

best of luck

 

[bryce]

Thanks John but I'm ok. I've had it before, which is why I'm not overly worried. It only lasted 30 seconds or so.

It must have a name - I would imagine it's sinus-related. Think the daze is really due to the thigh bleeding and losing a lot of skin..

 

[bryce]

thanks guys, i will go to a&e.

 

[Dayvo]

bryce! BRYCE!!

Are you OK?

 

[Gerry Attrick]

Hey my good fellow, please post back and report your investigations.

 

[ComedyPilot]

As everyone has said get to A&E NOW!!!!

 

[bryce]

Guys thanks for your concern. I went to a&e, had blood pressure, blood sugar readings, then a CT scan for possible fractured skull but all turned out to be fine thankfully!

I feel slightly groggy but just going to take it easy for a few days.

Thanks for all your advice,
B

 

[Baggy]

Phew! Glad you're ok.
But...what did A+E diagnose the fluid as? Your sinuses draining?

 

[bryce]

They weren't sure but thought it could be sinus-related. I didn't have any other clinical symptoms apart from being more dozy than normal so they weren't too worried but did the ct scan as a precaution. Definitely off the bike though for a few days though, !

 

[Jaded]

Sounds like sinus gunk rather than brain gunk. If you'd damaged the bit of your skull between your nose and your brain you might also have no sense of smell.

 

[Origamist]

Glad to hear that you're OK. What happened?

 

[bryce]

I was cycling through Battersea Park on the way up to Chelsea Bridge. The road humps there are slightly shallower nearer the gutter so I edged closer to the gutter for each hump. This caused the tumble as there are white painted road markings next to the gutter, which are very slippery in the wet.

Cardinal rule No 1.a.(i). of wet-weather cycling on very slick tyres (conti gp 4000s) - don't change direction or brake sharply on newly-painted road markings (or manhole covers)!

Really stupid/ absent-minded of me but luckily no other traffic involved. Was well enough to cycle the remaining few miles into work.