What to do if a fish bone gets stuck in the throat

Dec 27, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lu Cheng
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, the throat refers to the pharynx. If a fish bone becomes lodged in the throat, the following measures can be taken for relief: stop eating and drinking, attempt coughing, use tweezers to remove the bone, induce vomiting, or seek medical assistance. When a fish bone is stuck in the throat, one should remain calm, follow the steps mentioned above, and seek timely medical help when necessary. Additionally, it is advisable to chew fish slowly and attentively to reduce the risk of fish bones becoming lodged in the throat.

Generally speaking, the throat refers to the pharynx. If a fish bone becomes lodged in the throat, the following methods can be used for relief: stopping eating and drinking, attempting to cough, using tweezers to remove it, inducing vomiting, or seeking medical treatment. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Stop Eating and Drinking

Immediately stop eating and drinking to prevent food or water from pushing the fish bone deeper, increasing the difficulty and risk of removal.

2. Attempt to Cough

If the fish bone is lodged shallowly, try coughing forcefully. The airflow generated during coughing may expel the fish bone. However, avoid coughing too hard to prevent tearing the esophagus.

3. Remove with Tweezers

If the fish bone is visible in a shallow location in the throat, such as on the tonsils or at the base of the tongue, ask someone to help remove it using clean tweezers. Handle with care to ensure the tweezers securely grasp the fish bone and pull it out in the direction of the bone to avoid breaking it.

4. Induce Vomiting

If the fish bone is small and not lodged deeply, you can try pressing the back of the tongue with your finger to stimulate a vomiting reflex, thereby expelling the fish bone. However, use this method cautiously to avoid excessive stimulation that could cause other injuries.

5. Seek Medical Assistance

If the fish bone is deeply lodged and cannot be seen or handled independently, seek immediate medical attention. Doctors will use specialized tools, such as a laryngoscope, electronic laryngoscope, fiberoptic laryngoscope, gastroscope, or esophagoscope, to precisely locate and remove the fish bone.

When a fish bone becomes lodged in the throat, remain calm and follow the steps above, seeking medical help promptly when necessary. Additionally, chew fish slowly and attentively to reduce the risk of fish bones lodging in the throat.

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