What to know about a fishbone in the throat

Swallowing a fishbone is a common occurrence, especially for people who eat a lot of fish.

Though fish bones are often small, oddly shaped, and sharp, the bone will usually pass through the digestive tract without any issues. However, some people may end up with a fishbone stuck in their throat.

If this occurs, the lodged bone can cause discomfort and panic, though it is not usually painful. Due to the common nature of this occurrence, there are many established methods that can help dislodge the fishbone from the throat.

Keep reading for more information on what it feels like, how to remove a bone, and when to see a doctor.

Signs and symptoms

A person is likely to feel the fishbone as soon as it gets stuck. The cause of any discomfort is also likely to be immediately apparent.

Aside from general discomfort, there are several other possible symptoms of having a bone stuck in the throat, including:

• coughing
• a prickly or tingly sensation in the throat
• pain when swallowing
• difficulty swallowing
• a feeling of fullness at the base of the neck
• a sharp pain where the bone has impacted the throat
• spitting up blood
• Possible complications

If a person believes that they have a fishbone stuck in their throat that they cannot remove, they should see a doctor or healthcare provider as soon as possible.

Most fish bones are very sharp. They can cut or cause an abrasion on the throat on their way down, even if they do not get stuck. In these cases, it may feel as though the bone is stuck in the throat when in reality, it has already passed through the oesophagus toward the stomach.

However, if the person is spitting blood, can confirm that the bone has impacted, or is having trouble breathing, they should immediately go to their doctor or the emergency room. They should not go to bed if they suspect that a bone is lodged in their throat.

Possible complications of having a fishbone stuck in the throat include:

• an inability to swallow food
• bleeding
• puncturing the oesophagus
• infection
• chest pain
• abscess

Ways to remove a fishbone at home

There are several potential methods a person can try at home that may help remove the fishbone without medical intervention. However, each person is different and results can vary.

To try some fishbone removal methods at home:

• Cough forcefully.
• Drink a small amount of vinegar to help break the bone down with the acid.
• Drink soda. The gases it produces in the stomach can help break down the bone.
• Drink 1 tablespoon of olive oil to help lubricate and free the bone.
• Swallow a large bite of banana. This may stick to the bone and dislodge it.
• Take a large bite of bread and peanut butter. This could help loosen the bone.
• Soak bread in water for a few seconds, then swallow a large chunk. The weight could dislodge the bone.
• Partially chew a large marshmallow and swallow it whole. The stickiness may help loosen the bone from the throat.

If the fishbone remains lodged, a person should seek medical advice.

Prevention

Accidentally swallowing a fishbone is avoidable. If a person removes the bones before cooking, it can help reduce the risk. However, since many bones are tiny, it can be hard to locate and remove them all.

Another tip for prevention is to eat only fillets of fish. However, people should keep in mind that no bone removal method is perfect, so a fillet of fish may still contain bones.

Certain people are at higher risk of choking on food. These include:

• young children
• older adults
• people with dentures
• people with neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy
• people with muscular conditions such as muscular dystrophy
• people who eat a lot at once
• people who eat very quickly