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Original poster

To take DS to GP for eating headphone cables

83 replies

Pardalis · 28/07/2018 23:29

His headphones used for gaming have been getting ropey looking. Always put it down to the fact he doesn't look after them - dropped on the floor, twisted, chair trapping them. I have always said that if they break due to misuse then I wasn't going to replace.
I noticed tonight how bad they were. Due to the long cord it wasn't always obvious.
Turns out he's eaten them. In places the whole of the black plastic covering has gone. Some of the inner and even the copper. And some weird fibre stuff.
He's said he swallowed it.
I got really upset, told him that he shouldn't eat it and why. He got upset in return and obviously headphones have been taken away.

My first instinct is to book a GP appointment to find out whether eating that has harmed him.

He's fine at the moment. Am I overreacting?

OP posts:
Original poster
Pardalis · 28/07/2018 23:30

Btw. I have consulted Dr Google. With no results

OP posts:
welshmist · 28/07/2018 23:32

How old is he?

JuniperBeer · 28/07/2018 23:32

How old is he?
It’s a couple of bits of plastic. He’ll be fine. It’ll just pass through.
Why is he doing it though? Boredom? Fiddling? Perhaps you should be focusing on why he’s doing it.
Give him some blue tac to fiddle with. There are biting pencil toppers you can buy online. Does he chew pens etc? His fingers?

RoboJesus · 28/07/2018 23:33

He should be fine but it depends on what it was made of. I'd call 111 rather than GP just to see what they think.

Quartz2208 · 28/07/2018 23:34

call 111 and ask

danni0509 · 28/07/2018 23:35

If he's been nibbling away over a period of time then I'm fairly sure if anything were to of happened to him it then it would of happened by now.

How old is he?

Does he say why he is eating his headphones?

If he needs something to chew on, you can buy those chew toy type things for kids.

Possumfish · 28/07/2018 23:35

He'll be fine ....no need to waste a GPS time

SpinMill · 28/07/2018 23:36

How old is he? Are you taking him to GP because you're worried he may have hurt himself by swallowing it, or because you think he's got 'issues' (sorry probably not the right word), due to chewing it? When I was younger, I used to chew things without even realising, just like a habit so I wouldn't worry in that respect.

SpinMill · 28/07/2018 23:37

Apologies, just re read op and realised you said its becaised youre worried its harmed him.

Original poster
Pardalis · 28/07/2018 23:38

He's 6

He is a fiddler and a biter of nails. He even likes the taste of Mavala stop. So nail biting has been hard to quit.

It's obviously been happening over a period of time so not an emergency. No immediate danger to health.

If it was just the plastic part then I wouldn't be bothered and would expect it to just poop out.

It's the other stuff. Fibres that I have no idea of their composition

OP posts:
LlamaPyjamas · 28/07/2018 23:39

I’d be more concerned that he’s eaten something he knows isn’t food. Pica is a disorder where people eat non food items. It can be related to vitamin deficiencies or mental health conditions. I’d definitely see your GP.

LovingLola · 28/07/2018 23:40

Unreal. Really is.

Original poster
Pardalis · 28/07/2018 23:45

Lovinglola

Honestly it's true. He's chewed his way through it I just tried to post a photo but didn't work. I will try again...

OP posts:
Original poster
Pardalis · 28/07/2018 23:47

Said cable

To take DS to GP for eating headphone cables
OP posts:
LovingLola · 28/07/2018 23:47

I don't doubt for one minute that it's true. What I find unreal is that a 6 year old has gaming headphones!

Original poster
Pardalis · 28/07/2018 23:51

Llama - I have just considered this. But he eats a really good range of foods. Is not picky, low processed and fruit and veg every day.

But he does love to have something in his mouth when he's not active. Fingernails etc.

I'm guessing the cables are easy pickings

OP posts:
Original poster
Pardalis · 28/07/2018 23:53

Lovinglola. They aren't gaming headphones. Apologies for not being precise. They are just bog standard usb headphones he wears when playing Minecraft

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 28/07/2018 23:54

I’d be more concerned that he’s eaten something he knows isn’t food. Pica is a disorder where people eat non food items. It can be related to vitamin deficiencies or mental health conditions. I’d definitely see your GP.

I was this kid. I ate remote controls, laundry horses, pens, books... No idea why. I don't even bite my nails now. Doesn't seem to have done me any harm

triangulator · 28/07/2018 23:57

Children with sensory issues often like to chew.

Sensory issues are more common than you'd think and not necessarily a symptom of anything else, though they can be in some cases.

You can buy chewable necklaces for children who like to chew, perhaps look into that. Does he generally do it whilst concentrating etc?

I probably wouldn't worry about it if it's happened over a long period of time, but if it's happened all v recently or you think he has any other issues, a trip to the GP is probably reasonable.

HPandBaconSandwiches · 28/07/2018 23:59

I’d be more concerned that he’s eaten something he knows isn’t food. Pica is a disorder where people eat non food items. It can be related to vitamin deficiencies or mental health conditions. I’d definitely see your GP.

This

Often iron deficiency.

That said I have a finger nibbler and it may just be behavioural. Is anything else bothering him?

Original poster
Pardalis · 29/07/2018 00:01

Triangulator

Thanks for the tip on chewable necklaces. I'll do some research and see what I can buy. Sounds a lot better than headphone cables and nails.

If he's a chewer then better he chew something safe

OP posts:
Lalliella · 29/07/2018 00:04

Why does a 6 year old have gaming headphones? Why is he gaming at all at the age of 6? Sorry OP but you ought to be getting him to do pastimes that are a bit more healthy than that.

Original poster
Pardalis · 29/07/2018 00:04

And no, He doesn't seem to have any other issues. He's pretty normal.

He was a preemie. Born at 28 weeks. No idea whether chewing is an after effect but if it's the only one then I'll cope!

Ok, I won't panic about the cables. However they have now been removed. Even if they still work!

OP posts:
SneakyGremlins · 29/07/2018 00:05

I do this with my gaming headphones and I'm 20! It's just a habit. No harm in reading up on Pica though. My cat has it, interestingly enough Grin

BlackeyedSusan · 29/07/2018 00:09

chewellry.

ds chews on left over silicon teats, those wristbands and anything else he can get his hands on that he shouldn't. He has sensory issues.

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