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Is Swallowing Of A Plastic Pin Dangerous?

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Posted on Wed, 2 Apr 2014
Twitter Wed, 2 Apr 2014 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 21 Apr 2014 Last reviewed on
Question : I want to know that If little plastic pin (below 1cm) is in food, and don't reconizing that, accidently swallowing with food, Is it dangerous? I read some article that if it pass the esophagus without symptom, there could be no harm . I also want to know that if there is some pain in stomach, the symptom is similar with the pain of gatritis (brash, heartburn). or differnt... I have a gatristis. If small plastic pin stuck in stamch, could it penetrate the stomach ? I guess I swallowed the little plastic pin with food.
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (2 hours later)
Brief Answer: Hi and welcome to HCM Detailed Answer: Thank you for the query. Such incidents rarely cause esophagus or stomach perforation since these organs are large with thick inner walls. It could cause esophagus irritation if this is stucked in it but you would feel it right away after swallowing. After it,this stays in stomach for 3-4 hours and there are enzymes which try to dissolve it. Most problematic phase is in small bowels since it could cause bowel perforation but this risk is very low considering size of pin and this dissolving that I ve mentioned. It travels for next 6-12 hours in small bowels and then reaches large bowel where perforation is practically impossible and there it is digested for 16h . Such small foreign bodies in digestive system will incorporate into feces and it will be evacuated will bowel movements in 24-48 hours,but 15 hours after eating it,you can be sure that nothing bad will happen. There is no need to visit doctor in such cases unless you start to feel sudden sharp pain which would be sign of bowel perforation. It could cause gastritis like symptoms since this material is probbale irriatting stomach similar to other stomach-irritating food. You should drink plenty of fluids, try to find menta tea and easier food (vegetables, bread,boiled potato). You can take anti acid medicines too. As. I said,it shouldnt be in your stomach for more than 3-4 hours. So all in all,risk of serious complication is very low and you dont have to be worried,but this pain I ve mentioned or blood in stool should be reported to your doctor. Wish you good health. Feel free to ask. Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich

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Practicing since :2008

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Is Swallowing Of A Plastic Pin Dangerous?

Brief Answer: Hi and welcome to HCM Detailed Answer: Thank you for the query. Such incidents rarely cause esophagus or stomach perforation since these organs are large with thick inner walls. It could cause esophagus irritation if this is stucked in it but you would feel it right away after swallowing. After it,this stays in stomach for 3-4 hours and there are enzymes which try to dissolve it. Most problematic phase is in small bowels since it could cause bowel perforation but this risk is very low considering size of pin and this dissolving that I ve mentioned. It travels for next 6-12 hours in small bowels and then reaches large bowel where perforation is practically impossible and there it is digested for 16h . Such small foreign bodies in digestive system will incorporate into feces and it will be evacuated will bowel movements in 24-48 hours,but 15 hours after eating it,you can be sure that nothing bad will happen. There is no need to visit doctor in such cases unless you start to feel sudden sharp pain which would be sign of bowel perforation. It could cause gastritis like symptoms since this material is probbale irriatting stomach similar to other stomach-irritating food. You should drink plenty of fluids, try to find menta tea and easier food (vegetables, bread,boiled potato). You can take anti acid medicines too. As. I said,it shouldnt be in your stomach for more than 3-4 hours. So all in all,risk of serious complication is very low and you dont have to be worried,but this pain I ve mentioned or blood in stool should be reported to your doctor. Wish you good health. Feel free to ask. Regards