Sandy Crest Medical Centre - Health Tips
Foreign Bodies in the Ear and Nose
A variety of objects (foreign bodies) may become
lodged in the ear or nose. They may commonly include things such as
dried beans, small toys, and beads.
Children under age five are the most likely to
intentionally place foreign bodies in the ear or nose but it is not
limited to this age group.
The symptoms caused by these objects range from
discomfort and pain, to decreased hearing, and sometimes discharge
from the ear or nose. With objects in the nose there is a risk of
inhalation of the object into the airway. As simple as it may seem,
foreign bodies in the airway, particularly in small children, can be
life threatening due to the risk of airway obstruction and
suffocation; if the child has difficulty breathing or is choking,
immediate medical attention should be sought.
The treatment is to remove the foreign body
under direct visualisation, but this may be quite a challenging
procedure and certain types of foreign body are difficult to see
with the naked eye. Assessment by medical personnel is therefore
recommended if there is any doubt whatsoever and further specialist
input may be required.
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