What is a swallowed object?

A swallowed object usually refers to any item that should not be swallowed. Healthcare professionals may call it an 'ingested foreign body'.

Sometimes people swallow non-food items that are dangerous.

Some commonly swallowed objects are:

• coins
• small toys
• household objects

While most swallowed objects can pass through your body without a problem, some need to be removed. This is because they can cause significant harm or even death.

Some objects can be very dangerous if they are swallowed, such as:

• magnets — especially 2 or more
• button batteries — which can burn through the lining of your oesophagus (food pipe), causing serious injury or death
• water beads

Water beads, or super-absorbent polymer balls, can expand to 400 times their original size when in liquid. These toys are also called fairy eggs or dragon eggs. If you think someone has swallowed a water bead, you should get medical attention straight away.

Button batteries and magnets need to be removed immediately to avoid serious complications, which can be life-threatening.

What symptoms are related to a swallowed object?

Symptoms can differ depending on what object you've swallowed and if the object becomes stuck. A child often won't have any symptoms when they have swallowed an object.

Objects can sometimes get stuck in your oesophagus, and this can cause:

• drooling
• coughing or wheezing
• pain in the neck or chest
• difficulty swallowing food

If an object becomes stuck in your stomach or bowel, this may cause:

• vomiting (being sick)
• abdominal (tummy) pain
• blood in your vomit
• blood in your stool (poo)
• a fever

If you or your child is coughing or having difficulty breathing, the object may be stuck in their airways or lungs.

Call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance if someone is having trouble breathing.

Why would someone swallow an object?

One of the ways babies and young children learn about the world is by putting things in their mouths.

Children at highest risk of swallowing an object:

• are aged 6 months to 3 years
• have older brothers or sisters

Children can also be at higher risk of swallowing an object if they have:

• pica (a condition where things not considered to be food are eaten)
• an intellectual disability

It's important to be very careful to make your home safe so that your child can't put something dangerous in their mouth.

Self-harm

Some people may swallow objects deliberately to harm or injure themselves. If you have done this, you should know you are not alone, and help is available.

How is a swallowed object diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask you what object was swallowed and when this happened.

They may do an x-ray if the object is made of a material that will show up on x-ray.

When should I see my doctor?

If you have swallowed a foreign object other than a magnet or battery and have symptoms, you should see a doctor.

You don't need to see a doctor if you have swallowed a harmless object and have no symptoms. Watch for symptoms over the next couple of days.

When should I get urgent care?

Call triple zero (000) for an ambulance, or go to the nearest emergency department, if you have:

• swallowed a button battery or magnet
• swallowed a large object
• swallowed a sharp object
• tried to harm yourself

You should also call triple zero (000) for an ambulance if you have any of the symptoms below:

• drooling or blisters in your mouth
• trouble breathing
• choking or coughing when eating or drinking
• eating or drinking less than normal
• gagging or vomiting
• pain in your chest or neck
• blood in your vomit or poo
• confusion
• lost consciousness

What should I do while waiting for the ambulance?

Do not eat or drink anything until you have spoken to a doctor.

Do not try to vomit, since this could cause choking or block your airway.

How is a swallowed object treated?

Depending on what object was swallowed and where it is in your digestive system, the object may need to be removed.

Objects in the oesophagus often need to be removed, depending on the symptoms. Most objects in the stomach or bowel will pass through on their own.

Button batteries and magnets need to be removed immediately.

Most objects can be removed using an endoscope (a thin, flexible tube with a light and a camera at the tip). The endoscope can be used to find and remove the object.

Sometimes surgery is needed to remove a swallowed object.

Self-care at home

If you did not swallow a dangerous object and have no symptoms, you may not need to have the object removed. There is no need to look in your faeces (poo) to find the swallowed object.

See your doctor or go to the hospital emergency department if you develop:

• breathing problems
• tummy pain
• fever
• ongoing vomiting
• blood in your vomit or faeces

How do you stop children from swallowing objects?

Keep all small objects away from young children. Small objects that can be swallowed include:

• coins
• pins
• magnets
• small toys
• button batteries

Also, make sure that all remote controls and toys that contain button batteries are kept out of reach.

Complications from swallowed object

Complications from swallowed objects can include:

• blockage of your oesophagus or bowel
• a tear in your oesophagus
• erosion (a hole) in your digestive system
• weight loss due to feeding problems

Resources and support

For more information on product safety and recalls, visit Product Safety Australia.

Read more about inhaled substances or foreign objects.

For more information on poisonous substances, read the article on poisoning.

If you think someone has swallowed a poison, call the Poisons Information Line on 13 11 26.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.