What to Do When a Fish Bone Sticks in Your Throat
Avoid Swallowing Rice Balls
Among folk remedies, the first step for a stuck fish bone is often to quickly eat a large rice ball—the bigger the better—hoping it will wrap around the bone and push it down into the stomach. This method is highly unscientific. Swallowing a rice ball not only risks choking but can also drive the bone deeper into the tissue, making removal more difficult.
Do not gulp large amounts of water
After a fish bone lodges in your throat, avoid continuously drinking hot water, soup, or beverages. Since the bone is already stuck, repeated swallowing can easily displace it or push it deeper, posing significant danger. Therefore, after a simple rinse, you should prepare to seek medical attention.
Do not attempt to dig it out with your fingers
If a fishbone is stuck in your throat, do not use tools or dig around with your fingers. This can cause nausea and vomiting, and may push the bone deeper, worsening the symptoms. You may try to examine your throat with a mirror, but do not reach in or attempt to remove it with tweezers yourself. If you lose control, it could intensify the pain.
Do not delay treatment
Some people dismiss a fishbone stuck in their throat as minor, while others assume it will pass on its own after a few days. These are misconceptions. Delaying treatment risks throat infection and complications.
Do not avoid seeking medical attention
>If a fishbone is stuck in your throat, avoid folk remedies. They won't alleviate the pain or discomfort and may worsen the problem. Instead, after drinking a small spoonful of white vinegar, immediately visit the ENT department at a hospital. Typically, the fishbone can be removed within minutes—a simple procedure that prevents serious complications.