Is Fish Bone Stuck in Throat Dangerous?

Almost everyone eating fish has experienced bones getting stuck in their throat at some point. Fish bones are small, thin, rigid, and have sharp edges. Because of their size, they are often missed during cooking and eating. So, you may ingest the bone with the meat. It’s harmless in most cases. The bone will most likely pass down your throat and cause no issues.

In a small number of cases, the sharp edges of the bone can scratch the tissues in your throat and esophagus. It can be alarming. The question is, is fish bone stuck in the throat dangerous? It depends on the symptoms. See a throat specialist in Navi Mumbai if you experience any discomfort after ingesting fish bone.

Symptoms of a Fish Bone Stuck in the Throat

You will easily understand the bone stuck in the throat, as the symptoms are apparent almost immediately after ingestion. Here’s what you may experience:

• A sharp pain due to the edges of the bone touching the soft tissues in your throat
• Difficulty swallowing
• Coughing
• Prickly sensation
• Spitting up blood

Immediate Steps to Take

Here are a few things you can try at home to get the bone out:

1) Olive oil:

This natural lubricator will remove the bone by pushing it down your throat. 2-3 tbsps of olive oil will do the trick.

2) Cough:

Forceful coughing is often effective at getting the stuck bone out of your throat.

3) Banana:

Taking a big bite of banana will dislodge the stuck bone and push it into your stomach.

4) Drink Soda:

Many people drink carbonated beverages to dislodge the food stuck in their throats. The gas your stomach produces when you drink soda can break down the fishbone and pull it down.

5) Wait:

Sometimes, people get to the hospital to have the bone removed, only to discover that there’s nothing in their throat. The prickly sensation you feel in the throat could be the sharp edges scratching the throat while passing down to your stomach.

Is Fish Bone Stuck in the Throat Dangerous?

Yes, it can be dangerous in some cases. Visit an ENT clinic in Navi Mumbai if you are unable to breathe or if the above symptoms persist.

When to See a Doctor?

Pain in the chest, difficulty eating or drinking, excessive drooling, and swelling are the common signs you need to see an ENT specialist immediately. The ENT doctor can easily remove the fish bone through endoscopy. The endoscope will either bring the stuck bone up your throat and out of your mouth or push it down into the stomach.

Prevention Tips

You can prevent the issue by removing all fish bones during cooking. But considering the size of the bones, you might miss out on them. Likewise, it’s not always possible to remove all fish bones when eating. One way to avoid fish bones is by eating fillets. But that isn’t a foolproof method either. Eat slowly and if possible mash it with your hands to spot bones within the meat.