Educational draft · awaiting clinical reviewUse Rapid for revision, not patient-care decisions. Check current national and local guidance and the BNF or BNFC before acting.
2 min synopsisUK scopeSources checked 7 Sept 2026Clinical review pending
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A nasal button battery needs immediate removal
A button battery can rapidly damage nasal mucosa and septal cartilage. Magnets attracting across the septum can also produce pressure injury.
Action: Contact ENT and arrange emergency assessment for immediate removal. Do not irrigate, instil topical drops onto a suspected battery or delay referral for a routine appointment; assess any airway symptoms immediately.
Synopsis
Identify a retained nasal object, distinguish immediately dangerous materials, and choose a safe removal or referral plan without causing avoidable trauma.
Unilateral offensive or blood-stained nasal discharge in a young child should prompt consideration of a retained object.
Insertion is often unwitnessed; a caregiver's lack of knowledge does not exclude a foreign body.
Identify the object, position and likely material before choosing a removal technique.
Key red flags
A suspected button battery in the nose requires emergency ENT review and removal as soon as possible.
Investigation priorities
01
Direct illuminated nasal inspectionFirst step
Locate the object and establish whether removal is feasible.
Management branches
High-risk materialEscalate battery or magnet exposure
A battery or magnets attracting across the septum are possible.
Arrange immediate ENT assessment and removal, communicating the suspected material and insertion time if known.
Avoid nasal irrigation and do not put topical preparations onto a suspected battery.
National guidance is shown before implementation-dependent detail. Typical adult dose examples remain subject to patient factors, contraindications and the live BNF or specialist protocol. Source check completed 7 Sept 2026; clinical approval remains outstanding.