Foreign Body Removal from Ears, Nose, & Skin in Westmont, IL
Removal of small objects from the ear, nose or skin at Urgent Care Center of Westmont in Westmont, IL. Beads, bugs, splinters and glass slivers are common. Walk in, and do not dig at the object at home.
Children often put beads, small toys or food in their ears and noses, and adults get splinters, glass or metal slivers in their skin. Urgent Care Center of Westmont, also known as Immediate Care Center of Westmont, removes many of these objects with the right tools and checks for injury or infection afterward.
Do not poke at an object with cotton swabs or tweezers. MedlinePlus warns that this can push it deeper. If a button battery or magnets are in the nose or ear, or were swallowed, go to the nearest emergency room right away.
Key facts
About 75% of objects stuck in the ear are found in children under 8 (American Family Physician).
Beads, small toy parts, pebbles, popcorn kernels and food are among the most common objects found in children's ears and noses.
The chance of removing an object drops after a first failed try, so it is wise to stop after one gentle attempt at home.
X-rays can show some objects, such as metal, but many do not show up; X-ray is available only at our 29 N Cass Ave clinic.
Signs of an object in the ear, nose or skin
Ear: ear pain, a feeling of something in the ear, hearing loss, or a buzzing insect
Nose: trouble breathing through one nostril, or bad-smelling or bloody discharge from one side
Skin: a splinter, glass or metal fragment you can see or feel, with pain, redness or swelling
In young children, a one-sided smelly nose drip can be the only sign of an object in the nose.
Safe first steps at home
Ear: tilt the head to let gravity help. For an insect, MedlinePlus suggests turning the ear up and, if it does not leave, a little mineral, olive or baby oil. Do not use oil for other objects or if the eardrum may be damaged.
Nose: breathe through the mouth, press the clear nostril closed and blow gently.
Skin: a small splinter just under the surface can often be removed with clean tweezers. Wash the area before and after.
Stop and see a provider if the object does not come out easily.
How we remove objects at our Westmont, IL clinic
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A provider looks closely at the area with good light and magnification and chooses the right approach, such as small forceps, gentle suction or rinsing. For skin, the area is cleaned and numbed when needed before removal. We check for injury to the eardrum or skin, give aftercare instructions and check whether you need a tetanus shot. Deep or hard-to-reach objects may need a specialist, and we will help arrange that.
Walk in or check in online to save your spot. Both locations are open Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM, and Saturday and Sunday, 9 AM to 5 PM: our main clinic at 29 N Cass Ave, Ste A, Westmont, IL 60559, and Immediate Care Center of Westmont Inside Jewel-Osco at 4 E Ogden Ave, Westmont, IL 60559.
We accept most major insurance plans, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, UnitedHealthcare and Medicare. Coverage for foreign body removal depends on your plan, so please call (630) 324-6825 to confirm before your visit. See the full list on our cost and insurance page.
No insurance? We offer flat, upfront self-pay urgent care pricing. Ask our front desk what your visit and any tests will cost before we start.
What happens at your visit
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Get comfortableYoung children often do well sitting on a parent's lap. Keeping the child still makes removal easier and safer.
Look closelyYour clinician uses good light and magnification to see what the object is, how deep it sits and whether the skin or eardrum is hurt.
Choose the methodOptions include small forceps, a tiny hook or loop, gentle suction or rinsing. Water is never used if a button battery might be in the ear.
Check afterwardThe area is checked for scrapes, bleeding or a second object. For skin wounds, we review your tetanus status.
Referral if neededObjects that are wedged, sharp, deep or touching the eardrum may need an ear, nose and throat specialist, and we help arrange it.
Walk in or check in online. If imaging may be needed for glass or metal in the skin, go to our main clinic at 29 N Cass Ave, Ste A, Westmont, IL, where X-ray is available.
The parent's kiss for an object in the nose
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For a small object in a child's nose, clinicians sometimes use a technique called the parent's kiss, described in American Family Physician. The parent covers the child's mouth with their own mouth, presses the clear nostril closed and gives one gentle puff of breath. The puff can push the object out of the blocked side.
Use only a gentle puff, never a big or forceful breath. Your clinician can show you how and decide if it fits your child's situation.
Common objects and where they get stuck
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Typical foreign bodies (AAFP)
Where
Common objects
Good to know
Ear
Beads, small toy parts, pebbles, popcorn kernels; insects are more common in older kids and adults
Don't rinse at home; some objects swell with water
Nose
Beads, buttons, toy parts, food, paper, foam, candle wax
Poking can push the object back toward the throat
Skin
Wood splinters, glass, metal slivers, thorns
Glass and metal may show on X-ray; wood often does not
Should I try to get a bead out of my child's nose?
You can try having your child blow gently while the other nostril is held closed. Do not use swabs or tweezers inside the nose. If it does not come out, bring your child in.
What if a bug is in my ear?
Turn the ear upward and wait. If it stays, a few drops of mineral or olive oil may help, per MedlinePlus. Then have the ear checked.
Do I need a tetanus shot for a splinter?
Possibly. The AAP advises calling a doctor within 24 hours for a deep puncture if the last tetanus shot was more than 5 years ago. We can check your records.
Why is a button battery an emergency?
Button batteries can cause serious burns inside the body quickly. Go to the nearest emergency room right away.
Can a splinter work its way out on its own?
Small, shallow splinters sometimes do as the skin renews. But a splinter left in place can get infected, and wood can break into smaller pieces. If you can't remove it easily with clean tweezers, or it is deep, under a nail or the area turns red, have it removed.
How do I know if my child put something in their nose?
Sometimes you see it or your child tells you. Other times the only clue is a bad-smelling or bloody drip from one nostril, or trouble breathing through one side. Don't try to dig it out. Bring your child in so a clinician can look with proper light and tools.
What if I can't see the splinter or glass?
If it still feels like something is in the skin, it may be. Small pieces of glass or metal can hide under the surface. A clinician can examine the area, and an X-ray at our Cass Ave clinic can help find glass and metal. Wood often does not show on X-ray.
Is it safe to flush an object out of the ear with water?
Not at home. Water can make some objects, such as beans or seeds, swell and get stuck tighter, and American Family Physician warns never to rinse an ear that may hold a button battery. A clinician first checks what is in the ear and whether the eardrum is intact.
“Professional staff and providers. Quick evaluation and chief complaint addressed. In and out within 90 minutes.”
Diane5404 · December 2023 · Google★★★★★
“Probably the best immediate care experience I’ve ever had. In and out in less than an hour from walking in the door. Staff is incredibly nice as well. I had one of the nicest NPs ever.”
Jay J. · August 2023 · Google★★★★★
“I was a coughing mess when I came in. Everyone was so kind and courteous. They followed up with test results and gave me suggestions to feel better. Super clean, super professional.”
