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Swallowed a piece of plastic fork. Will it dissolve and pass through?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

About nine hours ago, I swallowed a one-inch piece of plastic fork.

  1. Will it damage my intestine, colon or anus?
  2. Or will it dissolve and pass through?

Please explain.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Geetha Priyadarsini Kamminana

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Geetha Priyadarsini Kamminana has a clinical experience of 15 years. She has completed her MBBS at Guntur Medical College (Govt), Guntur, Andhra Pradesh and MD in General Medicine at Rangaraya Medical College (Govt), Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

Plastic is inert and indigestible. Hence, it will pass down the digestive tract unabsorbed and unknowingly in the stool. However, if the fork tine you have consumed is sharp, then there is a probability of it getting stuck or piercing the intestinal wall.

If you have any symptoms like abdominal pain, constipation, vomiting, or melena, then visit the emergency room (ER). Otherwise, you can stay cool and just have more water and a fiber diet, which will help in enhancing intestinal motility and eliminating waste in poop. Also, you have to be more careful and never repeat that again.

I hope this helps.

Please revert in case of further queries.

Thank you.

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Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At August 8, 2016
Reviewed At June 10, 2026

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Geetha Priyadarsini Kamminana has a clinical experience of 15 years. She has completed her MBBS at Guntur Medical College (Govt), Guntur, Andhra Pradesh and MD in General Medicine at Rangaraya Medical College (Govt), Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Geetha Priyadarsini Kamminana has a clinical experience of 15 years. She has completed her MBBS at Guntur Medical College (Govt), Guntur, Andhra Pradesh and MD in General Medicine at Rangaraya Medical College (Govt), Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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