Accidentally ingesting glass happens more often than we realize. Glass is incredibly durable and does not dissolve in the stomach. With its sharp edges, glass fragments pose a significant risk. So what should you do—rush to the hospital or attempt home remedies? Here’s what medical professionals recommend.
What Happens When You Swallow Glass?
Glass shards can accidentally end up in drinks when bottles are opened improperly or through manufacturing defects, with tiny pieces at the bottom of bottles. Young children may also ingest broken glassware or Christmas ornaments. But how dangerous is it?
The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a long, flexible muscular tube. When we eat, the muscles contract to push food along the digestive tract. Non-digestible materials, such as fruit seeds or tomato skins, pass through the system unchanged. Similarly, synthetic materials like metal, plastic, or glass remain intact throughout digestion.
The danger of swallowing a foreign object depends on its size and shape. Sharp glass fragments are risky, though the digestive system often moves such objects with extreme caution. A small shard with jagged edges could cause minor punctures or light bleeding. While bleeding can be detected through stool tests, serious blood loss is uncommon.
Once food or foreign material is swallowed, it quickly moves through the esophagus into the stomach. If a glass fragment is too large to pass through the stomach’s exit, known as the pylorus, it will remain in the stomach. In such cases, doctors can retrieve the fragment using a flexible tool called an endoscope inserted through the mouth. However, smaller fragments that pass through the pylorus generally do not cause complications.
The most dangerous scenario involves swallowing multiple sharp fragments, which could potentially pierce the intestinal lining, leading to infections or complications.
What To Do If You Swallow Glass
The mouth and tongue are highly sensitive, often detecting foreign objects before swallowing. However, children may place non-food items in their mouths out of curiosity, and parents may not immediately notice.
Signs a Child May Have Swallowed Glass:
- Vomiting
- Excessive drooling
- Chest, neck, or abdominal pain
- Difficulty swallowing
- Dark, tarry stool
- Unusual sounds from the abdomen
If any of these symptoms are present, seek immediate medical attention.
When to See a Doctor
If you suspect you or someone else has swallowed glass, contact a doctor or go to the emergency room right away. Small fragments of glass can be challenging to detect on X-rays, so doctors may monitor the situation closely. If there are no severe symptoms, they may wait 24 hours to allow the object to pass naturally through the digestive tract.
Final Advice
- Avoid eating or drinking from cracked glassware.
- Be mindful when opening bottles or glass containers to prevent fragments from falling in.
- Pay close attention when children are playing around glass objects.
Take care and stay cautious with what you eat and drink!