Thinking it was just earwax or a small insect, he tried to clean his ear with a cotton swab. However, the pain intensified, becoming a throbbing ache. He then went to the Otolaryngology Department of Ha Dong General Hospital for a check-up.

Doctors used an endoscope and discovered a live 5cm centipede crawling in his ear canal. The creature had injured the lining of his ear canal, causing discharge and severe irritation. The medical team, led by Dr. Tran Anh Tuan, applied local anesthetic and used specialized tools to remove the centipede. "The entire procedure was carried out meticulously to avoid further injury, especially to the sensitive eardrum, which can be permanently damaged", the doctor said.

The centipede after being removed from the patient's ear. Photo: Hospital provided

After the procedure, the patient was monitored and discharged a few hours later. Fortunately, his eardrum was unharmed, and his hearing was normal. Dr. Nguyen Anh Dung, Head of the Otolaryngology Department, said that ear, nose, and throat accidents involving foreign objects are not uncommon in clinical practice. While they often occur in children with small objects like beans or buttons, adults can also experience similar situations, especially when sleeping in humid environments or outdoors without mosquito nets, which allows insects like cockroaches, mosquitos, or even centipedes to enter.

Medical experts warn against trying to remove foreign objects from the ear at home using cotton swabs, sharp objects, or oil. These actions can push the object further in, causing ear canal injuries, eardrum perforation, and severe infection. If you experience unusual symptoms like ear pain, ringing, hearing loss, or the sensation of a foreign object after waking up, seek immediate medical attention at a specialized facility for prompt and appropriate intervention.

Le Nga