HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Will Touching The Epiglottis Cause Epiglottitis?

Posted on Tue, 7 Jul 2015

Question: Hi, I am an 18 year old female. I was eating and when I swallowed, I felt like a piece of food was 'stuck' in my throat. I decided to stick a finger down my throat to see if anything would come up. I am pretty sure I touched my epiglottis, as my fingers went down to the bottom of my tongue, and what I felt was a cartilage-like flap. I ended up poking and proding my epiglottis about 10 times. I'm very scared now because I read up about epiglottitis. My question is: was me touching my epiglottis several times dangerous? I don't plan to do it again, but I'm just scared if my poking and prodding can cause inflammation/swelling.
Thank you very much

Answered by Dr. Rajkishori Godhi (34 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
nothing to worry

Detailed Answer:
Hi and welcome to healthcaremagic,

Do not worry at all.

Forget about it and relax.

Touching the epiglottis will not cause epiglottitis. Poking it with finger will cause no harm.

Do some warm salt water gargling for a couple of days and you will be fine.

Feel free to follow up,
Regards,
Dr Rajkishori Godhi MS ENT

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Rajkishori Godhi (23 hours later)

Hi Dr Godhi, thanks for your swift reply! It has now been 1 day since I was poking my epiglottis, and I feel a lump in the throat feeling which seems to me like it's at the same area that I was poking.
Is this just a sensation, or could I have caused any swelling/irritation by poking it? I am very scared as I know how vital the epiglottis is. I seem to swallow and breathe fine, but the whole neck/throat area doesn't feel right, and it's quite uncomfortable.
Thank you very much

Answered by Dr. Rajkishori Godhi (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
wait and watch

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Prodding has probably injured your epiglottis. But I do not think there is much to worry. If the pain worsens or the feeling of lump increases than see an ENT specialist. Till then you can take an anti inflammatory like ibuprofen after checking the dose.

Feel free to follow up,
Regards,
Dr Rajkishori Godhi

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Rajkishori Godhi (52 minutes later)

Even if it is injured a little bit from me touching it, it wouldn't be severe enough for my airway to close? And if the swelling was to happen, it would have happened last night, soon after me touching it, and not now?
Apologies about my nervous questions

Answered by Dr. Rajkishori Godhi (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
not to worry

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

You are right, if the epiglottis was injured significantly then the swelling would have appeared last night.

I do not think you have anything to worry about.

You will be fine, the soreness that is there will go away in a day or two.

Regards,
Dr Rajkishori Godhi

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj