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Most swallowed objects are harmless and will pass through the digestive system without causing any harm. Studies suggest that it takes about 3-5 days for the object to pass out into the stool (poo).
However, there are some objects that can cause serious harm, in particular button batteries and small, powerful magnets.
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If your child has any of the following:
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You need help now. Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency Department or phone 999 |
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If your child has any of the following:
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You need to speak to a doctor or nurse today. Please ring your GP surgery or call NHS 111 - dial 111 If symptoms persist for 4 hours or more and you have not been able to speak to either a member of staff from your GP practice or to NHS 111 staff, then consider taking them to your nearest Emergency Department |
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| If none of the above features are present. |
Self care You can keep looking after your child at home. If you are still concerned about your child, call NHS 111 – dial 111 |
Content adapted with permission from the what0-18.nhs.uk resource produced by the Healthier Together initiative
 Self Care |
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For wear and tear, minor trips and everything in between. Self-care You can treat your child's very minor illnesses and injuries at home. Some illnesses can be treated in your own home with support and advice from the services listed when required, using the recommended medicines and getting plenty of rest. |
Sound advice Children can recover from illness quickly but also can become more poorly quickly; it is important to seek further advice if a child's condition gets worse. |
 Local Pharmacist |
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Pharmacists are experts in many aspects of healthcare. They are the first port of call for minor ailments and can provide advice and medication (if needed) for a wide range of long term conditions and common ailments including coughs and colds. Pharmacy First is a free service. You do not need an appointment and many pharmacies have a private consultation area. Your pharmacist will let you know if you need further medical attention. |
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 NHS 24 |
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| If your child does not have a life or limb threatening injury, consider calling NHS 24 on 111. You may be allocated a virtual appointment on the same day with a doctor or nurse practitioner at our Flow Navigation Hub. This may avoid the need to travel to hospital. If after talking to you and your child, they feel you do need to be seen at an Emergency Department or Minor Injury Unit they will direct you to your nearest one. |
Sound advice Use NHS 24 if you are unsure what to do next, have any questions about a condition or treatment or require information about local health services. |
 GP (General Practitioner) |
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| GPs assess, treat and manage a whole range of health problems. They also provide health education, give vaccinations and carry out simple surgical procedures. Your GP will arrange a referral to a hospital specialist should you need it. |
Sound advice You have a choice of service:
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 Emergency Department |
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| Emergency departments provide vital care for life-threatening emergencies, such as loss of consciousness, suspected heart attacks, breathing difficulties, or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped. If you’re not sure it’s an emergency, call 111 for advice. |
Sound advice
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Button batteries are small round, silver batteries found in lots of electrical toys and devices.
As well as being a choking hazard, button batteries can cause internal burns, internal bleeding, and sometimes death.
They can also cause burns if they're lodged in a child's nose or ear.
Preventing Accidents
Read about button batteries on the Child Accident Prevention Trust website, why you should be aware of the risks and how to keep your children safe.
Advice taken from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/first-aid-and-safety/first-aid/what-to-do-if-your-child-has-an-accident/
Magnetic ball toys are about 10 times stronger than traditional magnets. If a child swallows more than one of the magnetic balls, they can stick to each other inside the body and cause damage to the bowel and other structures that get caught in between. They can be challenging to remove, often requiring surgery to do so.
Where are they found?
Sources of magnets swallowed by children include:
What to do if you think your child has swallowed magnets
It may not be obvious that your child has swallowed small magnets. While older children can tell you what they’ve done, young children may not be able to.
Signs to look out for include stomach pain, nausea or vomiting. They may not be able to keep down fluids. You may suspect a stomach bug or appendicitis.
Act quickly if you’re worried - do not wait for symptoms to appear
If you think your child may have swallowed magnets, take them straight to the Emergency Department.
Preventing accidents
Read the Child Accident Prevention Trust's page on keeping your child safe from magnets for advice and tips on preventing accidents.
Advice taken from: https://www.capt.org.uk/keep-your-child-safe-from-magnets
"When should I get help?" content adapted with permission from the what0-18.nhs.uk resource produced by the Healthier Together initiative
Last reviewed: 05 October 2021
Next review: 05 October 2024
Approved By: Dr Ciara Carrick