What should I do if my throat is stuck with a fish bone?
Jan 25, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lu Cheng
Introduction
After the throat has been pierced by a fish bone, eating and drinking should be stopped immediately. Attempt to expel the bone by coughing or inducing vomiting. If symptoms are severe, particularly if there is difficulty breathing, the Heimlich maneuver should be administered promptly. Fish bones that are visible to the naked eye can be removed with tweezers, but care must be taken regarding the amount of force used. If removal is not possible, seek medical attention immediately, and have the bone removed under a doctor's guidance using professional equipment.
Generally speaking, the throat refers to the pharynx. If a fish bone becomes lodged in the throat, the following measures can be taken: immediately stop eating and drinking, try coughing or inducing vomiting, perform the Heimlich maneuver, remove the bone with tweezers, or seek professional medical assistance. If discomfort persists, prompt medical attention is advised. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Immediately stop eating and drinking
If you suspect a fish bone is stuck in your throat, you should immediately stop eating and drinking to avoid swallowing, which could push the bone deeper and potentially damage the throat mucosa.
2. Try coughing or inducing vomiting
If the fish bone is lodged in a shallow position in the throat, you can first try to cough it out. To facilitate removal, lower your head while coughing. If coughing is ineffective, vomiting can be induced to stimulate the throat and expel the fish bone.
3. Heimlich maneuver
If the person affected experiences shortness of breath or difficulty breathing due to a fish bone lodged in the throat, the Heimlich maneuver should be performed immediately. This involves applying abdominal pressure to generate an air current that dislodges the foreign object and relieves airway obstruction.
4. Removal with tweezers
If the fish bone is visible in the throat and its exact location is clear, it can be directly removed with tweezers. However, care should be taken to apply gentle pressure to avoid injuring the throat mucosa.
5. Seek professional medical assistance
If there is significant pain or difficulty swallowing after a fish bone becomes lodged in the throat, and the above methods fail to resolve the issue, prompt medical attention is recommended. A doctor may use a pharyngoscope or esophagoscope to locate the fish bone and remove it accordingly.
Note that after a fish bone becomes lodged in the throat, appropriate treatment should be selected based on the size and location of the bone. Attempting to swallow food to push the bone down should be avoided. Additionally, loud speaking should be avoided for a short period, and good oral hygiene should be maintained.
