R+V Info Center
Wiesbaden (ots)
Small but extremely dangerous: If children swallow magnets while playing, parents should seek medical help immediately. The situation is particularly critical if more than one magnet finds its way into the intestine, warns the R+V Versicherung information center.
Toddlers explore the world not only with their eyes and hands, but also with their mouths. They can easily swallow small magnets. “In such cases, there is an acute danger of suffocation,” says Friederike Kaiser, a consultant at R+V health insurance. “Injuries are also possible, for example to the esophagus or trachea.”
Risk of severe intestinal damage
It becomes particularly critical if a child swallows several magnets. This is because they attract each other and can pinch tissue. “This can lead to the most serious injuries to the intestines. Sometimes even an emergency operation is necessary to save the life of the little patients,” says R+V doctor Kaiser. “It is vital to react quickly here.” She therefore advises keeping small magnets out of the reach of small children. For example, they should not be hanging freely accessible on the refrigerator.
Magnets can also be dangerous for older children – especially the extremely strong “super magnets”. Teenagers sometimes use these to recreate a tongue piercing and accidentally swallow them in the process. “Magnets like this actually have no place in the household because they are intended for special applications,” emphasizes Kaiser.
Respond immediately, even if there is a suspicion
If a child has swallowed a magnet, parents should call 911 immediately. This also applies in the case of suspicion – even if the child initially shows no symptoms. Vomiting, coughing, loss of appetite or fever often only appear hours later. If the magnet is still stuck in the throat, parents can carefully try to remove the foreign body while waiting. “To do this, first let the child cough vigorously. If that doesn’t help, lie upside down on your thighs and knock up to five times vigorously between the shoulder blades,” explains R+V expert Kaiser.
More tips from the R+V Info Center:
- Home remedies such as honey or juices are often recommended for swallowing. However, parents should be careful. Recent studies show that honey can help reduce the effects of foreign bodies on the mucous membranes. However, such measures are not an alternative to removal.
- Small magnets are sometimes built into toys. When buying, parents should make sure that the goods are tested – and react when the magnet starts to come loose.
- The extra strong “super magnets” are difficult to separate, even for adults. Therefore, the packaging contains warnings that they should not be in the hands of children under the age of 14.
Press contact:
R+V Info Center
06172/9022-131
[email protected]
www.infocenter.ruv.de
Twitter: @ruv_news
Original content from: R+V Infocenter, transmitted by news aktuell
