A serious warning to parents: What not to do if your child has a fish bone stuck

Two similar medical cases occurred over one weekend, when two children, aged five and a half and eight, arrived within less than 48 hours at the urgent care centers of the Meuhedet health fund after fish bones became stuck in their throats.

The first case occurred at the Meuhedet center in Karmiel, where Dr. Zabidan Husein treated the child. The second case took place at the center in Modi'in Illit, where Dr. Luai Abu Abid provided the care. In both instances, the pediatricians managed to locate the bones and remove them on the spot, sparing the children the need for further hospital treatment.

At Meuhedet, experts emphasize that while this may seem like a minor incident, a fish bone is a sharp foreign body that can cause significant injury. It can get stuck in the tonsil area, the throat, or the esophagus, causing pain, bleeding, and tissue damage. In rarer cases, the bone can penetrate tissues, lead to infection, and even cause esophageal perforation.

Dr. Muhammad Kabha, a pediatrician and medical director of Meuhedet's urgent care centers in the north, explains that certain signs require immediate medical examination:

"Pain or difficulty swallowing, increased drooling, inability to swallow saliva, coughing, pain in the neck or chest, vomiting, or bleeding are all signs that require an examination."

According to Dr. Kabha, even a normal X-ray does not necessarily rule out the presence of a bone, as not all fish bones are clearly visible on imaging. "If the child continues to complain of pain or a feeling that something is stuck despite an initial examination, the medical investigation must continue based on the symptoms and the suspected location," he explained.

Meuhedet also warns against attempting to resolve the problem independently at home. Dr. Kabha emphasizes that it is not recommended to try to remove a deep-seated bone using fingers or household tools, nor should one try to push it down using large pieces of bread, rice, or other food. Such actions can injure the tissue and cause the bone to penetrate deeper.

"The important message to parents is not to try to solve this by force at home. If a child complains after eating fish about a feeling of a stuck bone, significant pain, or difficulty swallowing, you must seek medical attention," said Dr. Kabha.

The expert also recommends that parents exercise extra caution when serving fish to young children: ensure portions are free of bones and supervise the child during the meal. In the event of difficulty breathing or signs of choking, this is an emergency situation that requires immediate treatment.