Foreign objects inside your child’s nose - Immediate steps you should take
Little children always carry big curiosity with them. This makes them explore things and the world around. Being as innocent as they are, they tend to taste the objects they shouldn’t and place the tiny things in their nose, mouth, and ears, which they shouldn’t.
But there are a few objects such as pairing magnets, batteries of wrist watches and sometimes food that gets stuck in the nose can disrupt the breathing process. In a few severe instances, these objects can damage the nasal passage.
How to prevent children from placing foreign objects in their nose?
Parents should keep the tiny objects away from children and keep an eye on them always. But it is nearly impossible to keep a watch on children around the clock. Then what should you do? What are the safe steps to follow when you realize there is a foreign object inside your child’s nose? When to seek medical help?
They are a bunch of questions. We will answer all of them. Stay with us till the end and prevent such incidents.
How to find if there is a foreign object inside your child’s nose?
When a child inserts big objects such as pencils and pens, it is easy to remove them and mostly no medical intervention is required. But the problem occurs when the object is tiny and could not be found instantly. Here are a few symptoms of foreign objects in nose.
- Difficulty in breathing -
When the object is stuck inside the nostril, your child may rub the nostril and find it hard to breathe naturally. And, this occurs frequently.
- Crying for no apparent reason -
Crying for no reason is a communication method for Infants who could not vocalize their difficulties. If your child is crying for no particular reason, check their nose and ears.
- Nasal discharge -
In a few cases, nasal discharge could be observed but this occurs only when the placed objects cause certain degree damage to the nasal passage.
How do you react when you find the foreign object?
It is easy to panic when you find an object inside your child’s nose. But you shouldn’t panic. We know it is easier said than done but panicking and trying to remove the object on your own makes it even worse. Here is what you should do instead.
- Find tweezers and slowly insert inside the nose and try to pull the object out.
- Try to hold the object and pull it backwards.
How ENT specialists will treat foreign bodies in nose?
Once you reach the ENT hospital, the nose doctor conducts a physical examination to determine the object and use nasal spray or drops that have anesthetic properties. This will ease the pain if there is any.
ENT specialists will have equipment that help them easily reach the object, grasp or scoop it out. If it is not working, they will employ suction machines that suck the object as delicately as possible.
Followed by the removal, the specialist or your pediatrician might prescribe antibiotics that prevent any infection further.
Tips to protect your children from foreign objects
No matter how watchful an eye you have, it is not possible to keep your children under scan always. Here are a few tips that you can follow.
If your children are above 4 or 5 years old, explain to them why they shouldn’t keep objects inside their nose.
If your children are below 3, keep small objects away from them. Keep small objects, toys with tiny spares, magnetic jewelry, and other objects on the tables above 4 feet.
Take these preventive measures and reach out to your nearest ENT specialty clinic if you find a foreign object in your child’s nose.
