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ENT Emergencies
Overview
Some ear, nose and throat problems can't wait for a routine appointment. A nosebleed that won't stop, a bead stuck in a child's nose, sudden loss of hearing in one ear or a face that suddenly droops all need prompt attention — and a few, like difficulty breathing, need emergency care within minutes.
This page explains common ENT emergencies, the first aid you can safely give, and where to go. If someone is struggling to breathe, is bleeding heavily, or is drowsy or confused, call 112 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department immediately. Don't wait for a clinic appointment.
For urgent problems that are not life-threatening, call NEO ENT Clinic during clinic hours so the team can advise you on the quickest way to be seen by Dr. Savyasachi Saxena.
Your specialist
Dr. Savyasachi Saxena, MBBS, MS (ENT)
ENT & Head-Neck Surgeon · HOD, Fortis Hospital, Noida
What we treat
Conditions treated
Nosebleeds (epistaxis)
Most start at the front of the nose and stop with firm pressure. Bleeding from further back, or in people on blood thinners or with high blood pressure, may need packing or cautery.
Nasal injuries and fractures
A blow to the nose can cause swelling, a crooked nose or a blood collection on the septum that needs draining quickly. Fractures are usually best assessed once the swelling settles, within about a week.
Foreign bodies in the ear, nose or throat
Beads, seeds, fish bones and food can lodge in the ear, nose or throat. Button batteries and magnets are emergencies because they can cause serious damage within hours.
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss
Hearing loss in one ear that develops over hours to three days, often noticed on waking. Early treatment gives the best chance of recovery.
Facial palsy
Sudden weakness of one side of the face. Bell's palsy is common, but ear infections, shingles and injuries can also cause it, and a stroke must be ruled out.
Acute vertigo
Sudden spinning dizziness from inner-ear conditions such as BPPV or vestibular neuritis, which must be told apart from a stroke.
Breathing difficulty and stridor
Noisy breathing or breathlessness from swelling in the throat, an inhaled object or a growth narrowing the airway.
Quinsy and deep neck infections
Severe throat pain, fever, neck swelling or difficulty opening the mouth can signal an abscess that needs drainage.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms to watch for
Any of these, especially if they last or keep coming back, are worth discussing with an ENT specialist.
- A nosebleed that doesn't stop with 20 minutes of firm pressure
- Noisy or difficult breathing, or drooling in a child
- Sudden hearing loss or a blocked ear with no obvious cause
- Weakness or drooping of one side of the face
- Sudden, severe spinning dizziness
- Something stuck in the ear, nose or throat
- Severe throat pain with difficulty opening the mouth or swallowing
- Swelling of the neck with fever
Diagnosis
How it's diagnosed
Tests are chosen for your symptoms — not everyone needs all of them.
- 1
Rapid assessment
Breathing, bleeding and other life-threatening problems are checked and managed first.
- 2
Endoscopic examination
Locates bleeding points, foreign bodies or swelling inside the nose and throat.
- 3
Hearing tests
Audiometry confirms and measures sudden hearing loss, which guides treatment.
- 4
Imaging
X-rays for swallowed objects, CT for deep neck infections or facial fractures, and MRI when a nerve or brain cause is suspected.
- 5
Blood tests
Blood counts and clotting tests for heavy or repeated bleeding, and tests for infection.
Treatment
Treatment options
Treatment is tailored to the cause and severity of your problem. Where they are appropriate, non-surgical options are considered first.
- Non-surgical
Nosebleed control
Firm pressure and local medicines, cautery of the bleeding vessel, or nasal packing. Rarely, a bleeding artery is controlled endoscopically.
- Non-surgical
Foreign body removal
Removal with suitable instruments, suction or endoscopy — sometimes under general anaesthesia for young children or for objects in the throat or food passage.
- Minimally invasive
Treatment of sudden hearing loss
Steroid tablets and/or steroid injections through the eardrum, started as early as possible after hearing tests.
- Non-surgical
Facial palsy care
Early steroid treatment for Bell's palsy, eye protection, treatment of any ear cause and, in selected cases, facial nerve decompression surgery.
- Non-surgical
Repositioning manoeuvres for vertigo
The Epley and related manoeuvres for BPPV, with short-term medicines to control severe symptoms.
- Surgical
Airway management and tracheostomy
Securing the airway in hospital, including tracheostomy when the upper airway is blocked.
- Surgical
Abscess drainage
Draining a quinsy or deep neck abscess, together with antibiotics.
- Surgical
Nasal fracture reduction
Realigning a broken nose, usually within the first one to two weeks after the swelling settles.
All procedures offered
- Nose Bleeds, Injuries, Fractures & Swelling
- Foreign Body Removal (Nose, Ear, Throat)
- Facial Paralysis
- Sudden Hearing Loss
- Vertigo & Dizziness
- Breathing Distress & Stridor
After treatment
Recovery & aftercare
- 1
After a nosebleed, avoid blowing or picking the nose, heavy lifting, hot drinks and strenuous activity for at least 24 hours, and keep the nasal lining moist as advised.
- 2
After foreign body removal, watch for pain, discharge or bleeding, and return if they develop.
- 3
Sudden hearing loss is re-tested during and after treatment; recovery can continue over several weeks.
- 4
With facial palsy, protect the eye with lubricating drops and cover it at night if it doesn't close fully. Most people with Bell's palsy recover over weeks to months.
- 5
Complete the full course of any medicines and attend follow-up, even if you feel better.
Safety
Possible risks
- Delaying treatment for sudden hearing loss can reduce the chance of recovery
- Button batteries in the nose, ear or food pipe can cause serious burns within hours
- An untreated blood collection on the septum can lead to infection and collapse of the nasal bridge
- Packing, cautery and foreign body removal can cause minor bleeding or discomfort
Every procedure carries some risk. Dr. Saxena explains the risks that apply to you, and the alternatives, before you decide on any treatment.
Getting help
When to see an ENT specialist
Book a consultation if
- Sudden hearing loss in one ear, even without pain
- An object stuck in the ear or nose that doesn't come out easily
- Nosebleeds that keep recurring over a few days
- A nose that looks bent or swollen after an injury
- Weakness of one side of the face
Get urgent care if
- Difficulty breathing, noisy breathing or being unable to swallow saliva
- Heavy bleeding from the nose or mouth that doesn't stop with 20 minutes of firm pressure
- A swallowed button battery or magnet, or a battery in the nose or ear
- Facial weakness together with arm or leg weakness, slurred speech or confusion
- Vertigo with a severe headache, double vision, or difficulty walking or talking
- A bone or food stuck in the throat causing drooling or inability to swallow
In an emergency, call 112 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
What is the right first aid for a nosebleed?
Sit up, lean slightly forward and pinch the soft part of the nose firmly for 10 to 15 minutes without letting go to check. Breathe through your mouth and spit out any blood; don't tilt your head back. If bleeding continues after 20 minutes, is heavy, or follows an injury, get urgent medical care.
Is sudden hearing loss really an emergency?
Yes. Sudden sensorineural hearing loss should be assessed as soon as possible, ideally within a day or two. Treatment works best when it starts early, so don't assume it is just wax or a blocked ear.
My child pushed something into their nose. Should I try to remove it?
Don't use tweezers or cotton buds, which can push it deeper. If your child is old enough, ask them to close the other nostril and blow gently. If that doesn't work, see an ENT promptly — and go to an emergency department straight away if it could be a button battery or magnet, or if your child has any trouble breathing.
Does Bell's palsy get better on its own?
Many people with Bell's palsy recover fully, but starting steroid treatment within 72 hours of the weakness beginning improves the chances of complete recovery. Stroke and ear-related causes also need to be ruled out, so see a doctor the same day.
Where should I go for an ENT emergency at night?
Outside clinic hours — and at any time for breathing difficulty, heavy bleeding or a swallowed battery — go to the nearest hospital emergency department or call 112. For problems that are not life-threatening, call NEO ENT Clinic when it opens for advice on being seen quickly.
Further reading
This page gives general information for patients and is not a substitute for a medical consultation. Diagnosis and treatment depend on an individual examination.