Nose, Stuff Stuck In

Children four years and younger will often place small objects such as beans or peas into their nose. Children often do not complain of an object in their nose, but you may suspect this if there is a very foul-smelling discharge from one nostril. To remove foreign objects from the nose, try the following:

• If you can see the object, attempt to remove it with blunt-end tweezers.
• If the object is lodged far back into the nose, compress the unblocked nostril and encourage the child to sneeze with his mouth closed. Often this will dislodge the foreign object.
• Steamclean his nose. If the object is water-soluble, such as a piece of candy, take the child into the shower and get a lot of steam up the nose. A lot of humidity will help loosen the secrections that plug the nose. Or squirt some saltwater (or saline nose drops) up into the nostril to soften the object and reduce its size.

If the object is still lodged far back in the nose and you are unable to remove it with the above measures, take the child to the hospital where a doctor can remove the object with a special instrument. Do not allow your child to lie on his back or fall asleep with a foreign object in his nose since it may be aspirated into the lungs.