1. Foreign Bodies in the Ear
Occasionally while camping or being outdoors, an insect may fly or crawl into your child’s ear. This is extremely distressing to the child (as it would be to anyone). Treatment consists of reassuring your child and gently pouring lukewarm water into the affected ear. The insect will often fl oat out.
If the insect does not come out, medical attention should be sought. Mineral oil can also be gently poured into the ear to drown the insect. It will then need to be removed by a physician. Do not pour liquids into the ear if your child has “tubes.”
Children often put other objects into their ears, favorites being beads and popcorn kernels! Do not attempt to get these foreign bodies out. Seek medical attention instead. Do not put sharp objects into the ear or try to remove the foreign body with a paper clip or similar “instrument.”
Lessons to be learned :
- Do not treat your own family.
- Cooperate when your child’s doctor suggests that you bring your child into the office to be examined. You may be surprised by what he fi nds.
- It is seldom a good idea to start a patient on an antibiotic for earache without examining the patient first.
2. Foreign Bodies in the Nose
It is not unusual for children to put things other than their fingers up their nose. Objects that commonly find their way into the nose are popcorn kernels, buttons, beads, eraser tips,
and candy! More potentially dangerous objects that are put in the nose are small batteries such as camera or watch batteries. These can cause erosions of the nasal septum (the part of the nose that separates the two nostrils).
If batteries find their way into the bowel, they can perforate the bowel. If your child confesses that he has put something up his nose, it is wise to seek medical help immediately. Your doctor may be able to remove it fairly easily, but occasionally this may have to be done by an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) surgeon under anesthesia.
You may be able to see the object in the nose, and if it is protruding, you may be able to remove it yourself. However, do not try to remove it yourself if you cannot easily get hold of it, as you may push it in deeper. Do not try to push it in deeper hoping it will end up in your child’s throat and be coughed out or spat out. If you do this, it may be aspirated into the windpipe or lungs. Rarely, a cooperative older child may be able to force the object out his nose by blowing his nose or by sneezing.
Sometimes a child does not tell the parent what she has done, and the parent gradually becomes aware over time that the child has bad breath and a nasty discharge from one nostril. Rarely, a child who has put an object up his nose will swallow it, in which case there is usually nothing to be concerned about unless it is a battery or a sharp object. The major concern with a foreign body up the nose is that it will be aspirated into the airway or lungs. If your child has a choking episode, medical care should be sought immediately. If your child is in severe distress, you may have to perform the Heimlich maneuver or some similar age-appropriate maneuver.
When to Seek Medical Attention
- A foreign body in the nose that cannot be easily and immediately removed.
- A persistent foul-smelling discharge from one nostril.
- A choking episode or breathing difficulty in a child who was known to be playing with small objects.
- If you suspect your child may have swallowed a potentially dangerous object such as a camera battery, watch battery, or sharp object.