OpenHealth Q&A

Concern Over a Lost Nose Stud Incident

Hello, I'm a 30-year-old female with no significant health concerns aside from hypothyroidism and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Typically, I don’t sleep on my back, but recently I found myself in that position when my cat decided to cuddle on my stomach. I briefly checked my phone and then dozed off again. When I woke up, I was absentmindedly scratching my nose and suddenly felt something slide down my nostril. To my shock, I realized my nose stud was missing. The backing of my stud is a flat disk attached to a stem, which I feared had slipped further in. I attempted to clear my nose, but to no avail. As I sat up, an alarming realization hit me—I could feel something lodged in my throat. In a panic, I sought urgent care, but they turned me away, insisting that this situation required emergency room intervention due to it being a foreign body. Upon arriving at the ER, a chest X-ray was conducted, but it revealed nothing concerning. The doctor remarked that perhaps an additional X-ray ought to have been performed, thus he proceeded with another that focused on my throat. This too produced no findings. Eventually, they decided to conduct a soft tissue X-ray of my neck, but still, the mystery remained unsolved. Despite these clearings, I am sure that the stud must have gone down my nasal passage, and I can distinctly sense something uncomfortable in my throat. It also felt as though the medical staff were somewhat dismissive throughout the process. I came across a similar post from an individual online who experienced what seemed like the identical situation. In their account, a technician had revisited the patient's mouth and throat during an examination. After scanning, he seemed somewhat disappointed and asked for a description of the object. This raised my anxiety, as I feared no object would be found. Yet, he summoned the patient back to clarify his observations. Remarkably, a minuscule T-shaped piece was discovered lodged above the hyoid bone, right over the epiglottis, which acts as a flap over the trachea. The findings were forwarded to the doctor, who urged that immediate action be taken to retrieve this piece as it was still safely within the esophagus but precariously positioned above the trachea's opening. If the individual inhaled deeply, there was a tangible threat of it entering the lungs. This entire episode has me extremely anxious since I can feel something in my throat, yet the doctor provided no solid confirmation about my condition. He only suggested that unless it was positioned deeply, it appeared I might not have swallowed anything. Was there a chance that they overlooked a high enough examination? The X-rays focused on my neck and lower areas. Should I consider visiting another emergency room? I am quite certain I felt it travel down while lying on my back. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Answers (1)

2/14/2026, 10:10:35 PM

OpenHealth AI

It sounds like you've gone through a distressing experience, and your feelings of anxiety about the situation are completely understandable. You are right to be cautious regarding the possible presence of the nose stud, particularly since you can still feel discomfort in your throat.

Main Points:

1. Persistence of Symptoms: Feeling discomfort or something lodged in your throat can be concerning, especially after experiencing an event involving a foreign body.
2. Importance of Follow-Up: If symptoms persist or worsen, further evaluation may be warranted to ensure nothing is missed.

Explanation:

When a foreign object, like a nose stud, could potentially enter the airway or digestive tract, it's essential to monitor symptoms closely. While X-rays are a helpful tool, they can sometimes miss smaller objects, especially if they don’t show up well on the images.

Feelings of something stuck in your throat can be caused by several factors, including anxiety, postnasal drip, or even muscle tension. However, given your recent experience, it's understandable to be concerned that the stud could still be present.

Next Steps:

1. Monitor Your Symptoms: Pay attention to any changes in your discomfort. If you experience difficulty swallowing, pain, persistent coughing, or any new symptoms such as fever or shortness of breath, document these changes.

2. Consider a Specialist Evaluation: If feelings of something lodged in your throat persist, you may want to seek a follow-up examination with an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist, who can perform a more thorough examination, such as a laryngoscopy, to look directly at your throat and vocal cords.

3. Documentation: Keep a record of your symptoms and any new sensations. If you do seek more help, this information will be valuable for the healthcare provider.

4. Stay Calm and Aware: While anxiety regarding the situation is natural, try to stay calm. Engage in relaxation techniques (like deep breathing or gentle movements) to help ease anxiety symptoms.

By taking these steps, you can feel more empowered to manage the situation and ensure that you receive the appropriate care if needed.