Nasal Foreign Body In Children

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• A nasal foreign body is a condition where something gets stuck in your child's nose. This may include food, small toys, beads, disk batteries, insects, worms, or pieces of broken bones and cartilage. Nasal foreign bodies may get trapped in any part of the nasal cavity. The nasal cavity runs from the nostrils (openings of the nose) down to the back of the throat. Sinuses are hollow pockets in the face bones. Tiny bones that stick out into the nasal cavity and form folds are called turbinates.Your child may have trouble breathing if the object is very deep in the nasal cavity. Nasal foreign bodies may also cause itching, pain, headache, and frequent sneezing. Blood or a thick, yellowish fluid may drain from the affected nostril. If the foreign body is alive, such as with insects or worms, your child may feel movement in his nose.
  
  
• Diagnosis of a nasal foreign body may include a detailed health history and careful checking of your child's nose. Removal of the foreign body may be done using different procedures. Insects and live worms may or may not be killed first before being taken out. Surgery may be needed to remove a deep foreign body. Repair of other injuries caused by the foreign body may also be done. With treatment, the foreign body may be removed from the nose, and more serious problems prevented.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Keep a list of your child's medicines: Keep a written list of the medicines your child takes, the amounts, and when and why they are taken. Bring the list of your child's medicines or the medicine bottles when you visit your child's caregivers. Ask your child's caregiver for more information about the medicines. Do not give any medicines to your child without first asking your child's caregiver. This includes prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements.
  
  
• Give your child's medicine as directed: Always give your child's medicine as directed by his caregivers. Call your child's caregiver if you think your child's medicines are not helping. Call if you feel your child is having side effects. Do not quit giving the medicines to your child until you discuss it with your child's caregiver.

Ask your child's caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you and your child may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your child's next visit.

What to do if your child has a nasal foreign body:

• Do first aid if your child is having trouble breathing. Do back blows and abdominal thrusts if your child is less than one year old. Do a Heimlich maneuver if your child is older. Ask your child's caregiver for information about how to do back blows, abdominal thrusts, and the Heimlich maneuver.
  
  
• Do not put anything in your child's nose to try to take the foreign body out. This may push the object deeper into the nasal cavity.
  
  
• Have your child blow his nose to try and get the object out. If this does not work, call your child's caregiver.
  
  
• Teach your child to tell someone right away if he has placed a foreign body inside his nose. Teach him not to put things inside his nose.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• Your child has a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• Your child has a headache or pain in the cheeks or around the eyes.
  
  
• Your child is bleeding or fluid continues to drain from his nose.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your child's condition, treatment, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• Your child is coughing, wheezing, has noisy or troubled breathing, or cannot breathe.
  
  
• Your child is vomiting, gagging, choking, drooling, has neck or throat pain, or cannot swallow.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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