If you are searching about ‘how to get your hair out of your throat,’ we assume that maybe you have experienced this kind of situation right now or in the past. It must be uncomfortable, right? But, don’t worry, we will provide you with how to solve it and any valuable things related to this topic.
Take a look below!
Contents
What Is a Stuck Hair in the Throat?
A stuck hair in the throat is a medical condition that can occur when food, drink, or mucus gets into the back of the throat. It can cause a feeling of choking and difficulty breathing. Symptoms may include coughing, gagging, vomiting, or wheezing.
Sticking hairs in the throat are most commonly seen in children who have recently started eating solids. They may also be seen with people who have had recent surgery or have been on antibiotics for an extended period.
How Does It Happen?
When you swallow food, the pharynx is your throat’s first part to fill. It is a tube-like structure that connects your mouth to your esophagus.
If you have a lot of food in your mouth, it will go down into the pharynx and the esophagus.
The problem happens when there is a buildup of food in the throat. The pressure from all this food causes air to be forced out of the lungs and up through the windpipe. It can cause a cough or even an asthma attack if it’s severe enough.
What Causes a Stuck Hair in the Throat
The most common cause of stuck hair in the throat is a dry throat. If you have one, it is essential to drink plenty of water and gargle with salt water. Stuck hairs in the throat are also often caused by dryness, allergies, and other factors. These causes can lead to a buildup of mucus or saliva in the throat, creating an environment that traps hairs.
Sticking hairs in your throat can be uncomfortable and sometimes painful. In some cases, they can even cause severe breathing issues. However, there are some simple ways to get rid of them without having to go to the doctor or use any harsh chemicals.
How to Treat and Diagnose a Hair in the Throat?
There are a few ways in which you can treat and diagnose hair in the throat. The most ordinary way is using a mirror, light, magnifying glass, or flashlight.
The first step is to make sure that you can see the hair. Then, it would be best if you used your hand to move it out of your throat, so it doesn’t get stuck. You can then use your finger to pull it out of your throat. If the hair is not visible in the mirror or light, you can use a magnifying glass or flashlight to locate and remove it from your throat.
Also, the following are five ways to diagnose hair in the throat and treat it.
- Do a cough test
- Do a sputum test
- Do an x-ray of the throat
- Do an endoscopy
- Do a biopsy of the throat
What Happens if You Swallow Hair?
When ingested into the mouth, hair can get tangled up in the digestive tract and cause obstruction. It can lead to urgent health problems like peritonitis, intestinal bleeding, or intestinal obstruction. In rare cases, swallowed hair can lead to death due to suffocation.
Swallowing hair can cause a variety of symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, gastrointestinal bleeding, blockage of the gastrointestinal tract, kidney failure, and severe abdominal pain.
How to Get a Hair Out of Your Throat
Knowing how to get the hair out of your throat is essential. It is because you might have swallowed one or two hairs when you were young, and now they are stuck in your throat.
Hair in the throat is a common problem that affects many people. Many people have tried to get rid of their hair with various methods. Some may use a razor and a comb, but most often, they will swallow it down.
Here are five tips to get a hair out of your throat:
- Drink lots of water: The more water you drink, the easier it is for you to swallow and push the hair back into your throat where it belongs.
- Chew gum: Chewing gum can help reduce saliva production and make swallowing easier.
- Avoid spicy foods: Spicy food can irritate your throat, making swallowing difficult.
- Avoid citrus fruits and juices: Citrus fruits or juices can irritate your throat.
- You can try using an over-the-counter medicine like Listerine or gargling with mouthwash.
If this doesn’t work, then you should go to the hospital and have them remove it manually.
How Long Does It Take for Something in Your Throat to Go Away?
It is a question that many people have asked themselves. The answer to this question is usually subjective and difficult to find. However, a study by the University of California-San Diego revealed that it takes about 6 seconds for something in your throat to go away.
The study was conducted by Dr. Soren Gordhamer was conducting the study, who used MRI scans on 20 people who were asked to swallow three times in a row and then talk for 8 minutes afterward. The subjects were asked what they felt when it took for their throat pain to go away and how long they thought it would take for their throats to feel normal again.
The Best Ways to Prevent a Stuck Hair in the Throat
Sometimes, our hair gets stuck in the throat, making us uncomfortable. There are various ways that you can prevent this from happening:
- Avoid swallowing the hair while brushing your teeth
- Avoid eating or drinking too fast
- Gargling with warm salt water every morning and night
- Avoiding alcohol and smoking
- Using a humidifier and neti pot
When Should You Go for Medical Help?
When should you get medical help when you can’t get the hair out of your throat? You should go to the ER when you feel like you cannot breathe, when you have a gag reflex, and if the hair obstructs your airway.
If the hair is long and you can’t remove it yourself, and If there are other symptoms such as a sore throat or difficulty swallowing, seek medical help immediately.
