Foreign Body Removal from Ears, Nose, & Skin In Westmont, IL

• 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.

• 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.

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.

Go to the nearest emergency room for a button battery or paired magnets in the nose or ear or swallowed, an object in or near the eye, a sharp object in the nose, bleeding that does not stop after a few minutes, or a deeply embedded or barbed object such as a fishhook in a sensitive area. Call 911 for choking, trouble breathing, or chest pain or pressure, trouble breathing, signs of a stroke (face drooping, arm weakness, trouble speaking, sudden loss of balance or vision), severe bleeding, fainting or a seizure.

• Ear Wax Removal
• Cuts & Laceration Treatment
• Kids Urgent Visit
• Immunizations, including tetanus

Families visit us from Westmont, IL and nearby towns such as Downers Grove, IL, Western Springs, IL, Willowbrook, IL, Darien, IL and Woodridge, IL.

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.

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.