Stuck objects symptoms

Signs your child may have a foreign object stuck somewhere

Sometimes your child might tell you that there’s a foreign object stuck somewhere. Other times it can be hard to know. It’s good to look out for the signs below and to see your GP, even if you’re not sure.

Nose - Your child might have:

• Pain or itchiness around their nose
• A smelly discharge from one nostril
• Bleeding from the nose
• Bad breath

Ear - Your child might have:

• An earache (however not all stuck objects cause earache)
• Skin discolouration in or around the ear
• Discharge from the ear
• Reduced hearing

Eye

Although children rarely stick things in their eyes on purpose, they can unintentionally poke themselves or rub foreign substances into their eyes. Items that get trapped are often found in the conjuctiva, between the eyeball and the eyelid.

Your child might blink a lot or have:
• Something in their eye or rub the eye a lot
• Pain in the eye
• A weeping, red eye
• Pain when looking at a light

Throat

Children may get objects or food stuck in their throat. This can lead to partial blockage where they may be able to breathe still, or full obstruction (choking) when the throat is blocked, and they cannot breathe.

Signs your child may have a partial blockage:

• Coughing
• Gagging or choking sounds
• Noisy or laboured breathing
• Wheezing
• Drooling
• Hoarse or weak voice/weak cry

Signs of full blockage (choking)*:

• Inability to talk, cry or make noise
• No breathing or effective breaths
• Clutching throat
• Panic or distressed look
• Loss of consciousness (if untreated)

*This is a medical emergency