Removal of foreign bodies (ear, nose, eye, skin)

Category: Minor Procedures, Injections & Pain Relief · All minor procedures, injections & pain relief

What it is

Foreign bodies are removed from ears, noses, eyes and skin in clinic or emergency care using instruments under direct vision, suction, magnets (for some metal objects), or gentle irrigation — the method depends on the object and location.

Why it is done

Indications include beads, small toys and food in children's ears or noses, metal fragments or grit in the eye, splinters and thorns in the skin, and fish hooks. Button batteries and magnets are emergencies requiring immediate care, as they burn tissue or trap bowel.

How to prepare

Tell the clinician how long it has been there and what the object is (battery/magnet information is urgent). A parent or carer holding a small child still is often the key to success; older children and adults may have local anaesthetic or, rarely, sedation/general anaesthetic if distress or object position requires it.

What happens during the procedure

For the ear: the object is grasped with fine forceps or hooked out under microscope vision. For the nose: a small catheter or forceps is used, sometimes after a vasoconstrictor spray; blowing techniques ('parent's kiss') sometimes dislodge loose objects. For the eye: anaesthetic drops then a fine needle or magnet lifts the fragment, with fluorescein dye to check the cornea. Splinters are removed with a needle and forceps after cleaning.

Afterwards — recovery & results

Afterwards the area is checked for injury and infection, and tetanus status is reviewed. Antibiotics or drops may be given for ear or eye procedures. Seek review for increasing pain, redness, discharge or fever.

Risks & considerations

Risks include scratching or perforation of the eardrum (rare, usually heals), pushing the object deeper (the reason home attempts often fail), nosebleeds, corneal scratches, and retained fragments. Persistent or complicated cases go to ENT or ophthalmology.

Watch: Removal of foreign bodies (ear, nose, eye, skin) videos

Real procedure videos from the MedicalVideos.com library. Some clinical footage is graphic — that is the nature of a medical video library.

▶ WatchNasal foreign body removalWatch on MedicalVideos.com ▶ WatchRectal foreign body removal a emergency department procedureWatch on MedicalVideos.com ▶ WatchRemoval of foreign body airway through bronchoscopyWatch on MedicalVideos.com

Frequently asked questions

Why is a button battery so urgent?

A battery in the nose or ear can leak alkali and burn through tissue in hours, including the ear canal and the nasal septum. It is an immediate emergency — do not wait.

My child pushed it further with a cotton bud — why not just keep trying?

Each failed attempt pushes it deeper and damages tissue. A clinic microscope view and proper instruments are the safe route.

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Please note: This page is educational information about a medical procedure or test. It does not replace the instructions of your own care team, who know your situation and whose preparation, fasting and medication advice you should follow if it differs from anything here. If you have symptoms that worry you, or an appointment you do not understand, contact your clinical team.