Swallowed a button battery? Battery in the nose or ear?

Every year in the United States, more than 3,500 people of all ages swallow button batteries. Worse still, an estimated 3,000 to 8,000 people worldwide have serious complications or die from ingested button batteries. These miniature batteries are used to power hearing aids, watches, toys, games, flashing jewelry, singing greeting cards, remote control devices, and many other items. Call 1-800-498-8666, use webPOISONCONTROL, or call a poison center at 1-800-222-1222 for guidance if someone swallows a battery. Don't delay. Immediate treatment decreases severity.

Most button batteries pass through the body and are eliminated in the stool. However, sometimes batteries get "hung up", and these are the ones that cause problems. A battery that is stuck in the esophagus is especially likely to cause tissue damage. An electrical current can form around the outside of the battery, generating hydroxide (an alkaline chemical) and causing a tissue burn. When a battery is swallowed, it is impossible to know whether it will pass through or get "hung up".

If anyone ingests a battery, this is what you should do:

1. Immediately call the 24-hour National Battery Ingestion Hotline at 1-800-498-8666, use webPOISONCONTROL, or call your poison center at 1-800-222-1222

2. If readily available, provide the battery identification number, found on the package or from a matching battery.

3. In most cases, an x-ray must be obtained right away to be sure that the battery has gone through the esophagus into the stomach. If the battery remains in the esophagus, it must be removed immediately. Most batteries move on to the stomach and can be allowed to pass by themselves.  Based on the age of the patient and size of the battery, the National Battery Ingestion Hotline specialists can help you determine if an immediate x-ray is required.

4. Don't induce vomiting. 

5. If the battery was swallowed within the prior 12 hours, especially if it might have been a lithium coin cell, and the child is able to swallow, give 2 teaspoons of honey every 10 minutes while going to the ER. DO not delay going to the ER to give honey. Other than honey, don't eat or drink until an x-ray shows the battery is beyond the esophagus.

6. Batteries stuck in the esophagus must be removed as quickly as possible as severe damage can occur in just 2 hours.

7.  Watch for fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, or blood in the stools. Report these symptoms immediately.

8. If removal was not required, check the stools until the battery has passed.

9. Your physician or the emergency room may call the National Button Battery Ingestion Hotline at 1-800-498-8666 for consultation about button batteries. Expert advice is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Button batteries may also cause permanent injury when they are placed in the nose or the ears. Young children and elderly people have been particularly involved in this kind of incident. Symptoms to watch for are pain and/or a discharge from the nose or ears. DO NOT use nose or ear drops until the person has been examined by a physician, as these fluids can cause additional injury if a battery is involved.

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