Claúdio Ferreira Nurse Coordinator LUZ 24 Foreign bodies in the nose are more common in younger children , who usually place it there for fun or in an attempt to alleviate itching or other nose discomfort. Medical care is often sought to remove foreign bodies in the nostrils due to the ease with which small objects can penetrate deeper into the airways, with consequences that can be serious. It is common to find rounded objects , such as small batteries, balls of rubber, plasticine and other playing materials, stones, peas, among many others. Nasal piercings , or parts of it, are also common foreign body in the nostrils. The most common symptoms of a foreign body in the nose are: Difficulty breathing through the affected nostril; Perception of a mass inside the nose; Pain and irritability, mainly in children; Bleeding; Runny nose, sometimes with a foul odor, that can be a sign of infection. When can the removal of a foreign body in the nose be tried at home? At home, you can only try to remove a foreign body from the nose when: It is easily visible and accessible and is not stuck in the nose; There are no visible lesions, no bleeding or non-transparent or foul-smelling discharge from the nose; There is no risk of the foreign body breaking or falling apart or causing injury when it is removed; In other cases, and when there is any doubt, medical attention should always be sought. What to do to remove the foreign body Before trying to remove the object from the nostrils, wash your hands thoroughly with enough soap and water for 60 seconds, without forgetting the spaces between the fingers. Then: Keep your mouth open and breathe through your mouth ; Blow lightly through the nostrils to try to release and expel the object; If only one nostril is affected, close the opposite nostril , pressing lightly with a finger, and blow through the affected nostril; If the operation does not work and the foreign body is clearly visible and easily accessible, try to remove it by pulling gently with a tweezers . If a slight bleeding occurs after removing the foreign body, follow the usual procedures for nosebleeds . What not to do when there is a foreign body in the nose Do not use fingers, cotton swabs or other objects to try to loosen, dislodge or remove the object from the nostrils; Do not breathe through your nose , especially do not inhale, sniff, or smell anything, so there is no risk of the foreign body penetrating more deeply; Do not attempt to remove foreign bodies that are (or appear to be) stuck in the nose . Seek for medical care Whenever the foreign body can cause injuries , either because of its material ( eg glass) or because it has sharp or pointed areas that can cause injuries, even if it is clearly visible and accessible; Whenever there is a risk of the foreign body breaks when trying to remove it; Whenever there is persistent pain, non-transparent discharge or nose bleeding , situations in which you should not try to remove the foreign body; If you are unable to remove a foreign body that can be removed at home or if you do not feel comfortable doing so; If the foreign body has been removed and the symptoms have remained . If you need to, call LUZ 24 – 217 104 424 – the Hospital da Luz clinical triage service, by phone, available 24 hours, 365 days, for adults and children. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
