A foreign body is an item that has found its way into the body but does not naturally belong there. This term encompasses a wide array of objects. A foreign body is essentially an item that has become lodged inside you, typically through injection or entering the skin, but it is not meant to be there.
 
These objects can find their way into the body either accidentally or intentionally. You may inadvertently inhale or swallow a foreign body, or it might enter your body through an injury to almost any part of your body. They have the potential to become stuck or trapped in various regions of the body, including the ears, nose, eyes, and airways. Many different types of foreign objects can be ingested or inserted into the body.
 
The majority of ingested foreign bodies will typically pass through the gastrointestinal tract without causing any symptoms. However, some may result in bowel obstruction or more severe symptoms, necessitating medical intervention.
 
When a foreign body becomes obstructed in an airway, it can lead to a life-threatening medical emergency, potentially interfering with normal breathing. On the other hand, some foreign bodies, like splinters, for instance, do not typically cause significant harm.

How a foreign body will be removed is dependent on the type of foreign body and how it enters the individual. Some foreign bodies may necessitate surgical intervention, others can be addressed less invasively, and some may not require any treatment at all.
 
For instance, when ingested, small items may be expelled from the body without any intervention. Nonetheless, if they fail to exit naturally, it becomes necessary to seek urgent medical attention, as larger items may require surgical extraction.
 
An urgent care provider at PrimeHealth Urgent Care can utilize sterile tweezers for the removal of foreign bodies located near the surface of the skin. However, if these objects are situated within the body, surgical removal is often the most probable course of action.

The potential consequences of not removing a foreign body will be dictated by the specifics of each patient’s situation. When patients have ingested non-digestible items, those of smaller size tend to traverse the digestive system until they are eventually expelled with feces.
 
However, if a patient has ingested a larger object, they have the potential to become lodged in the stomach or regions of the intestines characterized by sharp or narrow turns. Even when foreign bodies manage to pass through the entirety of the intestines, there remains a possibility of them becoming trapped in the rectum.
 
When foreign bodies enter an individual through their skin and pieces remain embedded beneath the skin, they typically do not give rise to issues necessitating treatment if they are small enough and may, on occasion, work their way to the skin’s surface on their own. Nevertheless, foreign bodies beneath the skin can, in certain instances, induce infections.

Foreign bodies in the ear most commonly, but not exclusively, affect children. Some objects introduced into the ear may remain asymptomatic. Others, however, might result in ear pain, redness, or discharge. Hearing impairment can ensue if the object obstructs the ear canal.
 
Typically, the extraction of most foreign bodies in the ear can be accomplished at an urgent care facility with minimal risk of complications. Common techniques for removal include the use of irrigation and suction catheters.
 
The successful removal of such objects hinges on several factors, encompassing the object’s location, the material it is made of, and the patient’s willingness to cooperate.
 
Foreign body removal specialists are available at PrimeHealth Urgent Care. For more information, please contact us or book an appointment online. We serve patients from Parrish FL, Bradenton FL, Lithia FL, Sarasota FL, Lehigh Acres FL, Estero FL, Ellenton FL, Port Charlotte FL, West Bradenton FL, Palmetto FL, Lakewood Ranch FL, Foxleigh FL, Venice FL, Fruitville FL, Wimauma FL, Balm FL, Fort Myers FL, Westminster FL, El Dorado Acres FL, Cascades FL, West Samoset FL, Memphis FL, Harbour Heights FL, Murdock FL, and surrounding cities.