Foreign object in the ear or nose

If you or your tamaiti (child) have something stuck in the ear or nose, it is very important not to do anything that could push the object further in. Only try to remove it if you can clearly see the object and easily remove it.

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Foreign object in the nose

Young tamariki often put small objects in their nose. These may include:

  • bits of food like nuts, seeds, peas and lollies
  • beads and buttons
  • crayon pieces
  • small toy parts.

It is not always obvious when something is stuck up a child's nose, and it may be some time before you realise there is problem.

There is a danger that the object could travel into the child's throat and potentially block their airway. The object could also cause irritation, bleeding and infection.

When to get urgent help for an object in the nose

Call 111 and ask for an ambulance if someone who has an object in their nose starts choking or having difficulty breathing.

You should go to the hospital emergency department or after-hours clinic as soon as possible if:

  • you know the object is a battery
  • you know the object is a magnet with another metal object, or is more than one magnet
  • an object is stuck in both nostrils
  • you cannot easily remove the object yourself
  • the object is causing pain.

You should also seek help if the person has:

  • a fever
  • face pain or swelling
  • nosebleeds
  • thick fluid coming from their nose.

How to tell if someone has an object stuck in their nose

The symptoms of an object in the nose vary, and will depend on:

  • what the object is
  • how much of the nostril is being blocked
  • how long it has been in the nose.

Often there are no immediate symptoms.

If someone has an object in their nose, they may:

  • say they can feel something in their nose
  • have a bloody or smelly discharge from their nose
  • have irritation or pain in their nose
  • have difficulty breathing
  • have face pain.

A pēpi or toddler with an object stuck in their nose may be irritable.

If someone has an infection from something stuck in their nose, they might have:

  • pain in or around the nose or cheekbones
  • redness or swelling around the nose
  • a feeling of being blocked or stuffy
  • a runny nose and discharge that may be yellow or green
  • nosebleeds.

Helping someone who has an object stuck in their nose

Only try to remove objects you can see clearly, grasp easily and can easily remove.

If you cannot see the object, do not use any kind of tool like tweezers or cotton buds up the nose as you are likely to push it in deeper.

Do not use any type of nasal spray to try and get the object out, especially if you think the object might be a battery.

You can try to remove an object from an adult or older child's nose following these steps.

  1. Ask the person to breathe through their mouth.
  2. Block the nostril that does not have the object in it.
  3. Ask the person to close their mouth and gently blow through their nose. The puff of air might push the object out.
  4. If the object does not come out, ask them to breathe in through their mouth and try breathing out through their nose again.
  5. If the object still does not come out, get medical help.

Foreign object in the ear

People, especially young tamariki, often put things in their ears. Objects can include:

  • buttons and beads
  • seeds
  • toy parts.

Other things that can get into ears include mud and insects.  

Often the object can be seen clearly. But sometimes it cannot be seen and this makes it difficult to remove.

It is very important not to do anything that could push the object further into the ear.

When to get urgent help for an object in the ear

Go to the hospital emergency department or after hours clinic immediately if:

  • the object contains chemicals or is a battery
  • the object is sharp
  • there is blood or fluid (either clear or yellow) coming out of your ear.

See your healthcare provider as soon as you can if:

  • the object is an insect
  • your ear is painful
  • you cannot hear well
  • you feel like something is stuck in your ear
  • you cannot remove the object yourself
  • you know the object is a food that might expand when it gets moist such as beans, peas or popcorn.

How to tell if someone has something in their ear

If someone has an object or insect in their ear, you may be able to see something when you look. They may also:

  • be in pain
  • not be able to hear properly
  • feel something in their ear
  • feel dizzy
  • hear buzzing in their ear.

Helping someone who has something in their ear

If they have an object in their ear

Follow these steps:

  • Calm and reassure them.
  • Tilt their head towards the side that has to object in it — the object might fall out.
  • With their head tilted to the side and the ear with the object in it facing downwards, ask the person to gently shake their head in the direction of the ground. This may cause the object to fall out. (Do not strike their head).
  • If the object is sticking out and you can easily grasp it, gently remove it with your hand or tweezers.
  • If the object is not sticking out or you cannot see it, do not put anything into the ear. Seek medical help.

If you think they may have an insect in their ear

Follow these steps:

  • Calm and reassure them.
  • Do not let them put their finger in their ear as the insect may sting, or they may push it further in.
  • Turn the person's head so the ear with the insect in it is facing upwards, then wait to see if the insect flies or crawls out
  • If the insect does not come out by itself, seek medical help.