Call 911 if the person:
- Is choking
- Has difficulty breathing
For choking, see Choking Treatment.
1. Remove Object, if Possible
- Have the person breathe through their mouth.
- For an adult with an object partially out of the nose, try to remove it with fingers or tweezers. Do not push it further into the nose.
- For an object deeper in the nose, pinch the clear side of the nose closed. Have the person blow their nose hard several times. This may dislodge the object.
- Do not try to grab or pull an object that is stuck up a child’s nose. You can try gently closing the unaffected nostril. Blow a puff of air into the child's mouth. Repeat as necessary.
- If minor bleeding occurs after object removal, firmly pinch the nose shut for 10 minutes. You can also put a cold pack on the nose or cheeks for bleeding.
2. When to See a Health Care Provider
See a health care provider or go to a hospital emergency room if:
- You can't remove the object or can only remove part of it.
- The object poses an immediate danger.
- You're not comfortable removing a sharp object, such as a nose ring, stud, or broken glass.
- The person has a bloody nose that can't be stopped.
- Bad-smelling fluid draining out of the nose.
3. Follow Up
- Call your health care provider if signs of infection appear.
If the nose is tender or stuffy:
- Give extra fluids for 2 to 3 days.
- Have the person breathe moist air from a humidifier or hot shower.
- Have the person sleep with head elevated.
- Ask your health care provider about using an oral decongestant or decongestant nasal spray.
If you seek medical help to remove the object:
- The health care provider will use suction or another method to remove it. The person may need numbing drops placed in the nose or to be sedated.
- The health care provider may prescribe nose drops or an antibiotic ointment.
