Foreign Objects In Children’s Ears, Nose, Eyes & Mouths

Key points about foreign objects in children’s ears, nose, eyes & mouths

• young tamariki often explore by putting objects into their ears, nose, eyes or mouth
• most foreign objects are not serious, but some can be dangerous
• do not try to remove objects yourself if you cannot see them clearly or if your child is distressed
• always get medical help if you are unsure

What is a foreign object?

Pēpi (babies) and young tamariki explore the world by touching things and putting them in their mouths.

A foreign object is something that should not be in the body. 

In tamariki, this often means a small item that they:

• put into their ear or nose
• swallow
• stick in their eye

Foreign objects to look out for

Common foreign objects that tamariki often find include:

• beads, buttons, playdoh or small toy parts
• food such as nuts, seeds or popcorn
• paper, tissue or cotton
• insects
• coins

Some objects are more dangerous. Button batteries can cause serious burns inside the body very quickly. Magnets can stick together inside the body and cause serious injury.

Button Battery Dangers For Children

Magnet Dangers For Children

Symptoms of a foreign object in the ear, nose, eye or mouth

Sometimes your child may tell you that something is stuck somewhere. Other times it can be hard to tell.

Look out for the signs below. See a health professional if you are unsure.

Foreign object in the ear

Your child may have:

• pain or discomfort in the ear
• trouble hearing
• discharge or a bad smell coming from the ear

Foreign object in the nose

Your child may have:

• pain or itching around the nose
• one blocked nostril
• discharge from one side, sometimes smelly or bloody
• noisy breathing
• bad-smelling breath

Foreign object that has been swallowed

Your child may:

• drool more than usual
• gag or vomit
• have pain when swallowing
• refuse food
• cough or have noisy breathing

Sometimes there are no symptoms, especially if your child has swallowed a small object.

Foreign object in the eye

Unlike the ear, nose or mouth, tamariki don't usually put objects into their eyes on purpose. But, they can poke their eye accidentally or get something in it. Objects can get trapped between the eyeball and the eyelid.

Your child may:

• blink a lot
• have pain when blinking 
• have a red or watery eye
• rub the eye a lot
• have trouble keeping the eye open

Diagnosing a foreign object in the ear, nose, eye or mouth

If you think your child has a foreign object somewhere, see a health professional. A health professional will ask what happened and examine your child.

They may:

• look into the ear, nose or eye using a light or special tool
• check your child’s breathing and swallowing
• arrange an x-ray if your child has swallowed something

X-Rays For Children

Managing a foreign object in the ear, nose, eye or mouth

Ear or nose

See a health professional. Do not try to remove the object yourself unless it is very easy to see and remove.

Do not use cotton buds or tools as this may push the object further in.

A health professional can remove the object safely using special tools.

Eye

If something is in your child’s eye:

• ask your child to blink several times
• gently rinse the eye with clean water

Do not rub the eye.

See a health professional if:

• the object does not come out
• your child is in pain
• you are worried

Swallowed objects

Most small objects that are not dangerous will pass through the gut on their own.

A health professional may suggest watching your child for symptoms and checking their poo for the object. 

Do not try to make your child vomit.

When to get medical help for your child

Call Healthline or see a health professional

Call Healthline on 0800 611 116 or see a health professional if:

• you think your child has something in their ear, nose or eye
• your child has swallowed an object and you are unsure what to do
• the object does not come out easily
• your child has mild symptoms such as discomfort or irritation

See a health professional urgently

See a health professional urgently if:

• your child has pain, swelling or discharge
• your child has trouble swallowing
• your child has ongoing vomiting
• your child has something stuck in their nose or ear that you cannot remove
• your child has coughing or noisy breathing 

Call 111

Call 111 within New Zealand and ask for urgent medical help if your child:

• is blue around the mouth
• is struggling to breathe
• is becoming very sleepy and not easy to wake up
• is floppy