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Foreign Bodies

Low Risk

Also known as:

buttons fabric foam marbles paper plastic toys

Possible Symptoms
  • choking hazard
What to Do
  1. Wipe or rinse out the mouth.
  2. Give a serving size of water to drink.
  3. Call 1-800-222-1222 for additional instructions.

Important

This information does not pertain to large, rigid, sharp, or pointed objects such as screws, nails, pins, and needles. It does not include coins, lead-containing objects, dry cell cylindrical batteries, disc-shaped button batteries, or super absorbent polymers.  Call the Missouri Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 if a foreign body has been swallowed.

Additional Information

Quick Facts About Foreign Bodies:

IMPORTANT NOTE:  This information does not pertain to large, rigid, sharp, or pointed objects such as screws, nails, pins, and needles. It does not include coins, lead-containing objects, dry cell cylindrical batteries, disc-shaped button batteries, or super absorbent polymers.  If your question involves the ingestion of one of these objects, call the poison center right away for medical advice: 1-800-222-1222.

The majority of swallowed soft, pliable, small, and non-sharp items of all types will pass through the intestines and come out in the stool without internal harm or damage.  If your child has chest pain, drooling, gagging, or reports feeling that something is stuck in the throat, do not force food or fluids. Seek medical attention right away!

If your child is not having the symptoms above,  have them drink fluids and eat a serving of “sticky” food. Watch for symptoms of abdominal pain or tenderness, persistent vomiting, and fever over the next few days.  These symptoms could indicate an obstruction in the intestines and needs to be evaluated by a doctor.

If you think your child has swallowed a foreign body, do not panic.  Inspect the mouth for any pieces of the foreign body and remove them immediately, then give the child a snack and fluids.  Due to the wide variety of foreign bodies that are ingested, call the Missouri Poison Center right away at 1-800-222-1222, for specific information about what has been swallowed.  The poison center is open all day, every day for poisoning emergencies and questions.

**Note: Don’t forget, every case is different. To make sure you are getting the best information for your individual situation, click below to call or chat. It is fast, free, and confidential.

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