Surprising Everyday Items People Accidentally Ingest (That They Should Avoid)

While stories of people ingesting items like cell phones or pens might sound unbelievable, it’s the everyday objects that people accidentally swallow that are more common and concerning.

According to Dr. David Farcy, president of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine (AAEM), most cases of foreign-body ingestion involve children under 6, who often put objects in their mouths and swallow them unintentionally. For adults, the situation tends to be different.

"Adults typically ingest foreign objects by accidentally mixing them with their food," Farcy explains in an email.

Farcy notes that in 80-90 percent of cases, whether involving adults or children, foreign objects pass naturally. However, those that don’t can escalate into serious medical emergencies.

Certain items are more prone to being swallowed accidentally due to their proximity to food. Below are some of the most frequently ingested, yet hazardous, objects:

1. Toothpicks

While swallowing a toothpick is relatively rare, it poses a severe health risk. "Ingesting a toothpick is a medical emergency, often leading to intestinal perforations and a high mortality rate," stated researchers in a 2014 study. (The study reviewed 136 cases across 116 publications, concluding that toothpick ingestion is uncommon.) The research revealed that toothpicks caused intestinal perforations in 79 percent of cases, with a 9 percent mortality rate. Surgery was required in 58 percent of cases. Toothpicks can inflict severe damage to the digestive tract, potentially causing sepsis, peritonitis, or even death.

The researchers emphasized in their study that since toothpicks often remain undetected in CT scans or ultrasounds, "ingested toothpicks should be considered a critical differential diagnosis for patients experiencing acute abdominal pain."

2. Fish Bones

A delicious fish fillet can quickly turn problematic if a fish bone goes unnoticed and is swallowed. In fact, fish bones are the most frequently encountered esophageal foreign bodies among adults in Asia, as highlighted in a 2016 study (while meat poses a greater risk in Western countries).

Fish bones, unlike other food-related foreign bodies such as steak, are more prone to causing bleeding or perforation. This is why they must be removed within 24 hours to prevent severe complications. Dr. Richard Honaker, chief medical officer of Your Doctors Online, explains via email, "Swallowing fish or chicken bones can lead to serious outcomes, as the sharp objects can puncture the left atrium of the heart, which lies just behind the esophagus."

The outcome of a fish bone ingestion case depends on several factors, including the bone's size, its location, and how long it has been lodged. Bones larger than 3 centimeters carry a higher risk than smaller, more flexible ones. If the bone doesn't pass naturally, an endoscopy may be necessary to remove it.

3. Metal Brush Bristles

Ingesting metal bristles from barbecue grill brushes is a surprisingly frequent occurrence. According to a 2016 report in the journal Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, these bristles were responsible for approximately 1,698 emergency room visits between 2002 and 2014.

A 2015 summary in the journal Case Reports Otolaryngology highlighted, "Wire brush bristles are an emerging hazard, often lodging themselves as foreign bodies in the aerodigestive tract. Their small size and tendency to embed in tissue make them particularly challenging for otolaryngologists to remove."

Due to their elusive nature, doctors frequently struggle to locate and extract these bristles using minimally invasive techniques, often resorting to surgery. This is a significant ordeal for something as simple as a steak or burger.

To ensure your cookouts remain enjoyable, replace grill brushes annually to prevent bristle loss. Weber Gas Grills recommends doing this in the spring, just as grilling season begins.