A cut or puncture in your skin may occur if you break your nose. The bone may come through the skin. Skin bacteria can enter at the site of a cut or puncture and lead to a serious infection, such as:

• A skin infection (cellulitis).
• A pus-filled pocket (abscess) just under the skin surface or deep in tissue.
• A bone infection (osteomyelitis).
• A sinus infection caused by injury (post-traumatic sinusitis).
• An infection of the membranes covering the brain (meningitis).

Prompt treatment of an infection can prevent complications.