Doctors Warn Against Common Home Remedies for Swallowed Fish Bones

Medical professionals are cautioning against popular home remedies for fish bones lodged in the throat, as these methods can cause further injury and complicate treatment. During Jewish autumn holidays, fish is a common feature on festive tables, increasing the risk of swallowing small, sharp bones. Many individuals attempt to dislodge bones by eating bread or rice, but this can lead to additional trauma, according to mako.

A man in his 50s experienced severe pain, difficulty swallowing, and a foreign body sensation after eating fish at a restaurant. A thin bone from a red mullet had penetrated his esophagus. While such cases often require surgery, this patient was fortunate to have the bone removed within 20 minutes using specialized endoscopic equipment, avoiding an operation. He was discharged the same day.

Dr. Ariel Malmud, an ENT specialist at ARM Medical Center and an emergency department specialist at Assuta Ramat Hayal Medical Center, stated that fish bone incidents are frequent, especially during holidays and weekends. He emphasized that the problem is often exacerbated by people's reactions. "The problem is not only the bone itself, but also what people do in the first minutes after they realize it is stuck," Dr. Malmud explained.

Common advice to swallow bread, rice, or potatoes to push the bone down is discouraged. The sharp nature of fish bones means that attempting to dislodge them with food can cause them to embed deeper or cause further tissue damage. Using fingers, tweezers, or other objects is also not recommended due to the difficulty in seeing the exact location and the risk of pushing the bone further or causing injury with the tool.

If a fish bone is suspected, the first step is to stop eating and refrain from trying to dislodge it with food. If the sensation persists, or if severe pain or difficulty swallowing occurs, medical attention is necessary. It's noted that a persistent foreign body sensation may linger even after the bone is gone, due to a scratch or tissue irritation, which medical examination can clarify.

Symptoms like severe pain, difficulty swallowing, increased salivation, or a persistent foreign body sensation warrant a doctor's visit. Breathing difficulties, choking, or severe respiratory distress are emergency situations requiring immediate medical help. Dr. Malmud advises against waiting for the problem to resolve on its own, as a lodged bone can cause further damage. Early examination is preferable to attempting home remedies that might worsen the situation. Endoscopic removal is possible in suitable cases, depending on the bone's location and the patient's condition.