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Children often accidentally swallow pieces of plastic. What you should do depends on the size and shape of the plastic item that has been swallowed.
Swallowed plastic: Initial assessment & recommended action
If you or your child has swallowed a piece of plastic, stay calm. The first thing to do is to assess the risk:
- Size and shape: Small, blunt pieces of plastic—such as a tiny ball or bead—are usually excreted without being noticed. Neither stomach acid nor enzymes are able to break down plastic, so it usually passes through the intestines.
- Sharp or pointed shapes: These can damage the mucous membranes in the digestive tract.
- Particularly dangerous foreign objects: These include not only pointed objects, but also button batteries, magnets (especially multiple magnets), and expandable materials such as water beads. These can cause serious damage within hours.
- Watch for signs of shortness of breath or chronic coughing, as these may indicate possible aspiration (inhalation). In this case, administer first aid immediately and call the emergency services.
- If there is no acute breathing difficulty and the plastic is small and blurred in shape, wait and see – in many cases, it will be excreted without further intervention. In adults, this often takes only a few days; in children, it can take up to several weeks.
- If you are unsure or concerned about the object (battery, magnets, etc.), do not hesitate: consult your pediatrician or the emergency services immediately.
Warning signs & medical measures if you have swallowed plastic
Do not expect spontaneous healing if any of the following warning signs occur – take immediate action:
- Shortness of breath, wheezing, severe coughing fits, gagging—the foreign object may be in the airways.
- Increased salivation, vomiting, restlessness, difficulty swallowing, chest or abdominal pain, vomiting blood, or blood in the stool.
- Fever or signs of infection: Indicates possible complications beyond simply swallowing the object.
- If such symptoms occur, medical measures include various procedures that vary depending on the type of plastic object swallowed and the symptoms.
- An X-ray examination can be helpful in locating the foreign body in the digestive tract—however, many plastic parts are radiolucent and therefore not visible on an X-ray image (see geo.de, med.ovgu.de).
- In high-risk cases, endoscopic removal is necessary. This applies in particular to stuck or sharp objects, as well as batteries or magnets, especially if several have been swallowed. In the case of batteries, removal is necessary immediately if they are located in the esophagus.
- Magnets should also be removed quickly, as they can cause serious injuries in the intestine due to mutual attraction.
- In less dangerous cases, repeated monitoring may be sufficient. Small, blunt, and invisible foreign bodies can remain under medical observation for days or even weeks. However, if they do not pass naturally, endoscopic removal should also be considered in these cases.
Prevention & important information
Before complications arise, much can be avoided by acting prudently. That is why it is important not only to know what to do in an emergency, but also to know how to prevent swallowing accidents.
- Keep out of reach of children: Keep small parts such as button batteries, magnets, or toy components out of the reach of children.
- Be careful with food packaging: Consciously remove plastic residues, e.g., detachable closures or foil residues.
- Create a safe environment: Avoid play situations where small parts are freely accessible. Children should be supervised while playing and eating.
- Have emergency numbers ready: In Germany, you can contact the poison control centers (e.g., 030 19240 in Berlin), as well as general emergency services—free of charge and around the clock.
