Objects that are put into the child’s nose are usually soft things. These would include, but are not limited to, tissue, clay, and pieces of toys, or erasers. Sometimes, a foreign body may enter the nose while the child is trying to smell the object. Children often place objects in their noses because they are bored, curious, or copying other children.
What are the Symptoms?
The most common symptom of a foreign body in the nose is nasal drainage. The drainage appears only on the side of the nose with the object and often has a bad odor. In some cases, the child may also have a bloody nose.
Treatment
Treatment of a foreign body in the nose involves prompt removal of the object by your child’s physician. Sedating the child is sometimes necessary in order to remove the object successfully. This may have to be performed in the hospital, depending on the extent of the problem and the cooperation of the child. The following are some of the techniques that may be used by your child’s physician to remove the object from the nose:
- Suction machines with tubes attached
- Instruments such as small tweezers called forceps
After removal of the object, your child’s physician may prescribe nose drops or antibiotic ointments to treat any possible infections.
