What happens if you swallow a small magnet？

I just saw the question of what happens when you swallow a small magnet in a Google search, and here's what can happen and how to prevent it.

The exact consequences of swallowing a small magnet depend on the size and shape of the magnet and whether it is accompanied by other foreign objects.

If a magnet with a smooth surface, small size (<2 mm in diameter) is swallowed and there is no other foreign body, in most cases it will be eliminated naturally through the digestive tract.

2mm small diameter circular rare earth magnet

The biggest threat of magnets to children is the possibility of getting stuck in the process of swallowing, which may lead to suffocation and death in severe cases if it happens to block the windpipe, but if it is successfully swallowed in the stomach, there is no problem in this case because magnets are not digested and have no toxicity.

If accidentally ingested a relatively large magnet, may cause stomach irritation, after the accidental ingestion of the need for timely treatment by vomiting, vomiting need to be promptly cleaned with water in the oral cavity and nasal cavity.

The symptoms of abdominal pain after accidentally eating a magnet, indicating that the magnet is relatively large, causing damage to the gastrointestinal mucosa, you need to go to the hospital in a timely manner to do a gastroscopy to determine the location of the magnet, through minimally invasive surgery will be removed, the operation also need to do a good job of wound site care, to avoid getting wet.

Children are at high risk of swallowing magnets. Data show that about 80% of magnet swallowing cases worldwide occur in children under 6 years of age due to curiosity.

To prevent children from accidentally swallowing magnets, store magnets or magnet toys (e.g., Buckyballs) in sealed containers out of children's reach. It is also important to inform children of the dangers of magnets and to develop the habit of “not putting things in your mouth”.

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