Most adults are all too familiar with the discomfort of sticking foreign bodies in the nose from childhood experiences. But for whatever reason, it is a common antic that the vast majority of kids do. With kids, their curious nature often takes hold and various objects are then fitted inside ears, mouths and noses. Though most circumstances are harmless, there are still dangers that everyone should be aware of. If in the event your child crams a foreign body in their nose, you want to have the wherewithal to handle the situation.
– Children under the age of five are the more likely suspects when it comes to sticking things in their noses, although a select few older children might experiment.
– Some of the more commonly found items might be; small toys, bits of erasers, tissue, play-dough or clay, food, pebbles, dirt, small magnets, button batteries, and really anything else that might suit their whims.
– Button batteries are a cause for concern. They are usually designed for watches and can cause serious injury within the nasal passages in as little of 4 hours. The paired disc magnets typically used to fasten earrings or nose rings in place can contribute to tissue damage. However, this damage takes a few weeks to occur.
Generally, children put these foreign bodies in their nose voluntarily out of curiosity or mimicking other kids, but sometimes objects can become lodged in the nose while the child is smelling or even sleeping. If you think your child may have managed to stick a foreign body in their nose you may not necessarily be able to see it. There are some symptoms that generally follow with a foreign object in the nose.
– Nasal Drainage: Drainage is a common side effect when foreign bodies are stuck in the nasal passages. The drainage coloring can be gray, bloody, or clear. If a bad odor is emitting from the drainage, it is usually due to an infection.
– Difficulty Breathing: With an object obstructing the nasal passages, your child might have a struggle breathing through the nose.
– Whistling Sound: If while attempting to breathe through the nose with a foreign body lodged therein, you may hear a faint or even distinct whistling sound.
If you believe your child has a foreign object in their nose, take them to a medical professional. A visual inspection, and even a swab of discharge might be tested for infection. If you feel you are capable of removing the object yourself, just remember to keep calm, and keep the child comfortable. Children often play off the emotions you present. In some instances, putting pressure on the clear nostril until it collapses and have the child blow can push the object out. If that doesn’t do the trick, use slender tweezers, but only on larger objects. Be careful as tweezers can push the object further up. Do not attempt to use your fingers or cotton swabs, as you will more than likely push the object in deeper as well. Make sure your little one breathes through their mouth, and they avoid sniffing, as doing so can pull the object up, and be a potential choking hazard.
If doing it yourself proves fruitless, take your child in for medical treatment.
