I have done something really stupid! Do I really need medical help?

[idiot81]

I can go into the details if needed but I have a wad of toilet paper stuck up my nose! About a 1/4 of a square sheet if it matters.

it’s totally gone, can’t see it with a torch and trying to blow my nose does nothing. I can’t even feel it.

FFS do I really have to go to the Dr as a 43 year old and tell them this? What’s the worst that can happen if I ignore it?

Have you blown your nose hard? Ds once posted a tictac up his nose...

A pharmacist might be able to remove or minor injuries

Yes go!

Have you got a neti pot? Do a neti pot flush.

If you don't have one, use a gravy boat. Make sure it is very clean and then rinse it out with boiling water. Then fill it half full with warm water mixed with a teaspoon of salt. Lean over a sink with head facing sideways and pour the water into one nostril and it'll flow out the other.

Hopefully you'll see the toilet paper flush out.

If you get any sign of infection I'd go to urgent care

It will dissolve, don't worry.

You don't want it stuck in there in case it blocks something and causes an infection. I'd go to the pharmacy and ask them. In my non-medical opinion, you might just be able to try a nasal rinse/ neti pot to rinse it out. Toilet paper is dissolvable. Do it maybe twice a day. If there's big enough bits coming out after a couple of days (4 washes), you might not need to see a doctor.

Yeah try this first.

You need to mothers kiss it out

Please do update...also with why... If a nose bleed I'd suggest a tampon next time.

I'm sure it will be fine btw, and even more sure you don't need to worry about your brain 😂

They're right. That's why you can't use unboiled tap water in neti pots. Bacteria can travel from the sinuses to the brain and in rare cases cause meningoencephalitis, which can kill you.

Also why you should never ignore a tooth infection, particularly in the upper jaw.

Sinuses and the meninges are in very close proximity.

It's not common but it can happen.

I would also try a nasal flush first as toilet paper will dissolve pretty easily.

I wouldn't let embarrassment stop you from going. They'll have seen so much worse and won't bat an eyelid

This, it's not like you've got a courgette stuck up your bum.

I saw a video where a parent blew in the mouth of a child who had something like a blueberry U.K. their nose. It shot out. Is that worth a go? Otherwise a walk in centre sounds like a good idea.

Cocaine?

Same happened to a friend's daughter. Smelt absolutely dreadful and was there for some time before they realised where the smell was coming from

You’ll need to go to A&E and have it extracted. I did this when I was a toddler (cotton wool ball). Mum was oblivious until I started to stink - to the point that people would heave when they got close/entered the room. The cotton ball was discovered by A&E and removed surgically - and yes, it had filled up with mucous and bacteria and rotted. Ick!

Well..... the OP hasn't come back and given any more information so may actually, in fact, ALSO have a courgette up their bum.

Pharmacist here. Retrieving foreign objects from nasal passages is definitely NOT within our training or scope of practice.

This needs ENT.

Suggest phoning 111 for advice. I suspect they'll advise A&E or a suitable local service like minor injuries that has the required expertise.

Oh my gosh, I read this as between 1 and 4 squares! I had so many questions- how would you not know if it was 1 sheet or 4? How could you not see/ feel 4 squares of loo roll up your nose?!

Now I know it's one quarter of a square I'd be inclined to try and flush it out, if that doesn't work then call 111 and see if there is a local OOH that could arrange for an ENT to see you

🤣🤣

I often think this will happen to me as I often twist and stick tissue up my nose when it won’t stop running, and I wonder what would happen if it snapped off. Are you positive it didn’t shrink up and come out already?

I had to go to minor injuries with the end of a cotton bud stuck so far down my ear my husband couldn’t see it . I felt stupid and embarrassed but the nurse was lovely . He said he had seen much worse things stuck in much worse places. Do t let embarrassment stop you going to minor injuries.

Just to add if you do this the warm water should be cooled boiled water rather than the warm water from the tap...

ETA - I am not a medical professional but would be worried about bacteria from warm tap water!

Immediately A&E - aspiration pneumonia is not good.

Have you got a bottle to do a saline rinse? I would try that first