Foreign Objects in the Body Foreign objects may end up on the inside of a child’s body. lists ways to safely respond when this happens.
First Aid for Foreign Objects in Body
Location of Foreign Object First Aid Response
Foreign object swallowed20
Most swallowed items will pass through the digestive tract
If the object is a battery, magnet, or sharp object medical care should be sought
If blocking the airway, treat according to choking first aid
Location of Foreign Object First Aid Response
Foreign object in the nose21
Have child blow nose gently (not hard or repeatedly)
Do NOT probe or have child inhale it
If easily visible and graspable, remove with tweezers
Child will need medical care if the object remains in the nose
Foreign object in the ear
If the object is visible and graspable, remove with tweezers
Do NOT probe ear
Try using gravity by tipping the head to the affected side
If those fail to dislodge the object, refer to the family for additional methods of removal or to have them seek medical assistance
Foreign object in the eye
Flush eye with a clean stream of warm water
Don’t try to remove an embedded object
Don’t allow the child to rub the eye
If unable to remove with irrigation have family seek medical care
Foreign object in the skin
If the object is small, such a splinter or thorn just under the surface of the skin
Wash hands
Use tweezers to remove the object If the object is more deeply embedded in the skin or muscle
Don’t try to remove it
Bandage the wound by wrapping it with gauze without applying extra pressure