Foreign objects can especially get into children's ears, nose, throat, esophagus or respiratory tract.
Children often use toy parts, such as beads, buckles, coins, stitches or pins. They can cause serious emergency problems by inserting objects
into their mouth, ear or nose.
Such problems in adults are often encountered accidentally, while joking, or in the presence of mental retardation or neurological
diseases. If any substance gets into the nose-throat passages
it must be removed as soon as possible.
Foreign Bodies in the Ear
Foreign bodies usually remain in the ear canal. The most common items we encounter:
• Food items, fruit seeds, nuts
• Insects
• Toys and their parts
• Buttons and beads
• Crayon
• Small batteries
Foreign objects that children may insert into their own or their friends' ears may cause simple
injuries to the external auditory canal, but may also cause major damage such as perforation of the eardrum and middle ear damage
What are the symptoms of a foreign body in the ear?
Sometimes foreign bodies in the ear may not cause any symptoms. Some objects, e.g. food
items or insects may cause pain, redness, or discharge. Hearing loss depends on how much the object blocks the ear canal. Especially insects cause a lot of discomfort with their movements and sounds.
Removal of Foreign Bodies in the Ear
First of all, an ENT specialist must be found. Attempts by incompetent people to remove foreign objects may cause irreversible damage.
Complete removal of the foreign object from the ear is the basis of the treatment. It is not right to insert sharp, long objects to remove foreign
objects in the ear. The auricle is pulled back and
downwards in a small child, and the object is removed with the appropriate tool by pulling it backwards and
upwards in an older child. It is especially dangerous to remove round objects by holding them
. When you try to hold it, it may escape deeper. The following methods can be applied by the doctor to remove the object from the ear canal:
-Insert it into the ear. An attempt is made to pull it out by going behind the object with various tools.
-It can be vacuumed with an aspirator
-It can be removed with various holders under the guidance of a microscope.
After the foreign body is removed, both ears are re-evaluated. Because sometimes children may put something into both ears. If the ear canal is damaged, antibiotic drops can be used.
Foreign Bodies in the Nose
Foreign objects that the child can put into the nose are generally soft. These include tissue paper,
soil, toy pieces, and erasers. Sometimes when the child tries to smell something, it may get into his/her nose. Generally, children put substances into their noses when they are bored, curious, or when they imitate other children.
What are the symptoms of a foreign object in the nose?
The most common symptom of a foreign object in the nose is nasal discharge. Generally, foul-smelling, inflamed or bloody discharge may be observed from the side where the object is located.
Treatment of Foreign Bodies in the Nose
In the treatment, it is essential that the foreign object is removed from the nose by the doctor. Sharp, long objects
should not be inserted into the nose. The person blows his or her nose by pressing the root of the nose opposite the side where the foreign body is located. Sometimes it may be necessary to calm the child down in order to remove the object from the child's nose.
In this case, the procedure is carried out in hospital conditions, in agreement with the child, depending on the extent of the problem. The ENT
specialist will remove the object from the child's nose using the following methods:
• Vacuuming it with metal-tipped aspirators
• Pulling it out with tools that reach behind the object
• Holding it and pulling it out with endoscopic imaging
If the object is too deep, it can be removed by pushing it forward and dropping it into the mouth. However, this method should be applied by experienced hands as there is a risk of the object getting into the child's windpipe. After the object is removed, nose drops or antibiotics may be prescribed, depending on the situation.
Foreign Body in the Respiratory Tract
Foreign body in the respiratory tract is an emergency that requires rapid treatment. A foreign object can get stuck in the airways narrowing downwards and block any part of the lungs. left
Foreign objects in num roads constitute approximately one of the causes of death due to home accidents in children under the age of 5.
Like foreign object problems in other regions, children tend to put things in their mouths when they are bored or curious
. In such a case, a foreign object may enter the esophagus or trachea. The situation is more urgent and important if it leaks into the windpipe. In addition, meals may cause blockage in children with incomplete teeth, due to the inability to chew food properly. money, pebbles, hazelnuts, buttons, pins) are choking risks. For this reason, children should be closely monitored.
What are the Symptoms of a Foreign Body in the Respiratory Tracts?
A foreign body entering the trachea requires urgent treatment. Although the symptoms of each child may be different
, the most common symptoms that the child is obstructed due to a foreign body are:
• Shortness of breath, congestion, bruising, retching
• Cough
• Breathing difficulties. A whistling sound (crowing sound) when exhaling.
In some cases, even if the initial symptoms listed above are relieved, the foreign object may still be blocking the respiratory tract. In this case, other symptoms of obstruction should also be known:
• wheezing
• worsening cough
• Child's inability to speak
• Pain in the throat or chest
• Hoarseness
br /> • Bruising on the lips
• Inability to breathe
• The child loses consciousness
Treatment of Foreign Bodies in the Respiratory Tracts
The foreign object stuck in the throat is removed manually, if it can be reached by hand. Otherwise, if it is a child, help it by holding it upside down and hitting it between the two shoulder blades. The severity of the problem and its treatment depend on the degree of obstruction in the airway. If the child's blockage is complete, the child will not be able to breathe,
will not be able to speak, and his/her lips will turn blue. Since this situation requires urgent intervention, emergency service
should be consulted immediately. Sometimes surgery may be required to remove the foreign body. Other mild findings
Symptoms and treatment of esophageal foreign bodies
Foreign bodies stuck in the esophagus often cause a less noisy clinical picture. .
Since children put many things in their mouths, not leaving such swallowable objects around them provides a very important protection. If the swallowed foreign object is larger than the diameter of the esophagus, it remains stuck in the esophagus. The patient may experience symptoms of varying severity, such as difficulty swallowing, sore throat, and shortness of breath.
Foreign bodies in the esophagus also require admission to the hospital. These objects are removed with simple precautions or with precautions that require an operating room, depending on their type,
size and where they are stuck.
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