Foreign bodies in children

Children aged 2–3 often insert small objects into the ear, nose or mouth. Keep coins, nuts, batteries and small toy parts out of reach.

Ear / nose

Do not try to remove with tweezers; see an ENT specialist. One-sided foul nasal discharge suggests a nasal foreign body.

Mouth and throat

Sudden breathing difficulty, gagging or cyanosis is an emergency — go to hospital immediately. The Heimlich maneuver is only for complete airway obstruction.