Foreign Objects In the Ear and Nose

By Andrew B. Silva, MD

Foreign objects in the ear, nose, and breathing tract (airway) sometimes occur in children. Foreign object refers to anything that is in the ear, nose, or mouth that is not meant to be there and could cause harm without immediate medical attention.

Foreign Objects In the Ear

Foreign objects can either be in the ear lobe or in the ear canal. Objects usually found in the ear lobe are earrings, either stuck in the lobe from infection or placed too deep during insertion. Foreign objects in the ear canal can include

Food

Insects

Toys

Buttons

Pieces of crayon

Small batteries

Parents should be aware that children may cause themselves or other children great harm by placing objects in the ear.

The reason children put things in their ears or nose is usually because they are bored, curious, or copying other children. Sometimes, one child may put an object in another child's ear during play. Insects may also fly into the ear canal. Children with chronic outer ear infections tend to place things in their ears more often.

What Are the Symptoms?

Some objects placed in the ear may not cause symptoms, while other objects, such as food and insects, may cause pain, redness, or drainage. Hearing may be affected if the object is blocking the ear canal.

Treatment

The treatment for foreign objects in the ear is prompt removal of the object by your child's physician. The following are some of the techniques that may be used

Instruments may be inserted in the ear

Magnets are sometimes used for metal objects

Cleaning the ear canal with water

A machine with suction to help pull the object out

After removal of the object, your child's physician will re-examine the ear to determine if there has been any injury to the ear canal. Antibiotic drops may be prescribed to treat any possible infections.

Foreign Bodies In the Nose

Objects that are put into the child's nose are usually soft things. These include, but are not limited to, tissue, clay, and pieces of toys, or erasers. Sometimes, a foreign body may enter the nose while the child is trying to smell the object.

What Are the Symptoms?

The most common symptom is nasal drainage. The drainage appears only on the side of the nose with the object and often has a bad odor. In some cases, the child may also have a bloody nose.

Treatment

Treatment is prompt removal of the object by your child's physician. Sedating the child is sometimes necessary and may have to be performed in a hospital. The following are some of the techniques that may be used by your child's physician to remove the object from the nose

Suction machines

Instruments that can be inserted in the nose

After removal of the object, your child's physician may prescribe nose drops or antibiotic ointments to treat any possible infections.