Among various food types, fish is a very healthy option, but it also raises concerns for many people due to the risk of bone choking. This condition occurs when a bone gets stuck in the throat, causing discomfort and pain.
If you find yourself choking on a fish bone, you need to act quickly according to the guidelines below.
Home Remedies for Choking on Fish Bones
Choking on fish bones does not only occur in children; adults can also experience it if they are not careful while eating.
Here are a few simple home remedies you can apply if you choke on a bone.
Lemon Peel
Lemon and orange peels soften fish bones and dissolve them in saliva. (Image: Muatually).
Suck on or swallow lemon or orange peel. When choking on a fish bone, you can keep a piece of lemon or orange peel in your mouth to soften the bone and dissolve it in saliva.
Be sure to remove the seeds to avoid swallowing them.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C, found in orange peels, has a similar effect in softening fish bones. Therefore, if you do not have orange peels or cannot tolerate their bitterness, you can substitute it with a vitamin C tablet.
After a few minutes, the fish bone will soften and disappear after sucking on the vitamin C. The benefits of vitamin C include not only softening the bone but also relieving pain and reducing inflammation from injuries caused by the fish bone.
Drinking Soursop Juice
If you have a small fish bone stuck, you can use soursop juice as a remedy. You can grind the soursop and mix it with water to help dissolve the bone.
Swallowing Rice
Swallowing rice is perhaps the most familiar method that most people know and choose when choking on fish bones. People often think that rice will slide down the esophagus along with the bone; however, this method is only suitable for small bones. It is advisable to limit this method as it can lead to serious consequences if the rice falls into the airway.
Preventing Fish Bone Choking in Children
The remedies mentioned above should only be applied to children over 2 years old. If the bone is too large or deeply embedded, it is best to go to the nearest medical facility for timely assistance.
Dr. Nguyen Van Nhom, Deputy Head of the Intensive Care Unit at International City Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, advises that to avoid choking on fish bones, not only children but also adults must be cautious while eating, and should not talk or laugh while chewing.
If you accidentally choke on a bone, you should accurately assess the level of danger and take timely action. Do not underestimate the situation; you should see a doctor to have the fish bone removed. Otherwise, the patient may face serious and unpredictable consequences later on.
