In one of the most unsettling medical stories to emerge from Southeast Asia, a shocking incident in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, has left the internet horrified and fascinated in equal measure. Doctor Pulls Out Live Cockroach From Boy’s Ear, who had been suffering from ear pain and a strange ringing sound deep inside his ear canal.
The bizarre and disturbing episode, which occurred on October 23, has since gone viral after a doctor successfully extracted the insect in a tense and delicate procedure. The incident has reignited global conversations about hygiene, tropical pests, and the eerie possibility of insects crawling into human ears—a fear that many people secretly harbor but rarely imagine could happen in real life. The boy’s mother reportedly rushed him to a local clinic after he complained of a sharp ache and an incessant buzzing noise in his ear.
What she believed to be a minor ear infection turned out to be the stuff of nightmares when the attending doctor peered into the child’s ear with an otoscope and spotted the glimmer of moving legs. Inside the dark canal, a live cockroach had somehow found its way in and taken up temporary residence, triggering both pain and panic. The doctor’s quick thinking and steady hands prevented the situation from escalating into something far more dangerous.
A Routine Check Turns into a Medical Nightmare
According to reports from local Cambodian media, the doctor at the clinic initially suspected that the boy was suffering from a routine ear infection or a buildup of earwax, which is a common complaint among children. However, upon closer examination with medical instruments, he was shocked to find a cockroach crawling within the ear canal. The insect was not only alive but actively moving, creating an audible rustling sound that explained the boy’s earlier complaints of ringing and discomfort.
The discovery prompted immediate action. Removing a live insect from such a sensitive area is an extremely delicate task. Doctors must avoid sudden movements that could push the insect further inside or cause injury to the eardrum. In this case, the doctor chose to use a specialized medical suction device rather than tweezers or irrigation methods, which could have risked rupturing the ear’s thin membranes.
Video footage from the clinic, which has since been widely shared on social media platforms, shows the tense moments of the extraction. The doctor carefully inserts a slender suction tube into the boy’s ear while guiding it with a lighted otoscope. Viewers can hear faint buzzing as the cockroach resists the suction before finally being drawn out in one piece. The insect, roughly the size of a fingernail, appears visibly alive and wriggling as it is removed, much to the horror of those watching.
Doctor removes live cockroach from boy’s ear in Cambodia
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The child reportedly remained calm throughout the process, possibly due to mild sedation or reassurance from his mother, who stood nearby during the procedure. After successfully extracting the insect, the doctor cleaned the ear canal to remove any debris or remnants and checked for possible injuries. Fortunately, there was no lasting damage, and the boy was discharged the same day.
How Insects End Up in the Human Ear
While the incident sounds straight out of a horror film, doctors note that insects crawling into human ears are not as rare as one might assume—particularly in tropical regions like Cambodia, where cockroaches and other small arthropods thrive in warm, humid conditions. Medical professionals across Asia, Africa, and parts of South America regularly encounter similar cases involving ants, moths, or small beetles that accidentally enter the ear while people are sleeping.
Insects are often drawn to the warmth and faint odor of the human body, mistaking it for a safe hiding spot or a source of food. Once inside the ear canal, however, they can become trapped due to the narrow passage and lack of light, which disorients them. As they struggle to escape, their movements can cause excruciating pain, itching, or a sensation of buzzing and vibration.
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In the case of the Cambodian boy, experts believe the cockroach may have entered his ear while he was asleep. The nocturnal insects are known to crawl on beds and floors in search of food crumbs or moisture, especially in areas where sanitation is limited. Once inside, the insect’s attempts to move deeper for safety likely caused the sharp pain that woke the child.
Doctors emphasize that trying to remove a live insect from the ear at home can be dangerous. Common mistakes include inserting cotton swabs, hairpins, or pouring water or oil into the ear in panic—all of which can cause additional injury or push the insect further inward. The recommended response is to visit a medical professional immediately. In some cases, physicians will first immobilize or kill the insect using mineral oil or lidocaine drops before extraction.
In Cambodia and other tropical countries, hospitals occasionally record such bizarre medical cases, though most involve insects that have died before discovery. The fact that this cockroach was alive and mobile during removal made the event especially rare—and unnerving to witness.
The Viral Sensation and Public Reactions
After the clinic posted the video online to raise awareness about ear hygiene and pest control, it quickly gained millions of views and thousands of comments across social media platforms. Netizens from around the world expressed a mix of fascination, horror, and disbelief at the sight of a live cockroach being pulled out of a child’s ear. Many viewers admitted that the footage had “unlocked a childhood fear,” echoing a long-standing urban myth about bugs crawling into people’s ears during sleep.
Some users shared their own disturbing encounters, recounting how they had found ants, mosquitoes, or even small spiders in their ears after sleeping outdoors or in poorly maintained homes. Others humorously vowed to start sleeping with earplugs or to check their ears regularly before bed. Despite the dark humor circulating online, the general response highlighted genuine concerns about hygiene and pest prevention in tropical households.
Medical experts joined the conversation as well, using the viral moment to educate the public about ear health. They reminded people that maintaining clean living environments, sealing food containers, and ensuring regular pest control can significantly reduce the risk of such occurrences. Ear specialists also warned against the overuse of ear-cleaning tools, as they can damage the natural defenses of the ear canal and make it more susceptible to foreign intrusions.
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The Cambodian doctor involved in the case reportedly said that this was one of the most unusual procedures of his career. In interviews with local outlets, he admitted that even as a seasoned practitioner, he was startled when he first saw the cockroach moving inside the ear canal. He added that it took considerable patience and precision to remove the insect without causing pain or injury to the young patient.
Following the incident, the doctor advised the boy’s family to maintain proper hygiene and pest control at home. He also encouraged parents to monitor their children’s complaints closely, especially if they involve unexplained ear discomfort, as children often cannot articulate the exact nature of their pain.
The viral incident has also sparked discussions about the broader issue of healthcare access in Cambodia, where many rural clinics operate with limited resources. Experts note that early and proper medical intervention—like in this case—can prevent potentially serious complications, such as infections or hearing loss, that might occur if such situations go untreated.
As the story continues to circulate globally, it serves as both a cautionary tale and a grim reminder of how nature occasionally intrudes into human life in the most unexpected ways. For many, the mere thought of a cockroach finding its way into an ear is enough to send chills down the spine. Yet for the Cambodian boy and his family, the ordeal ended with relief and gratitude that medical help was swift and effective.
In a world where viral videos often desensitize audiences, this real-life event struck a deep nerve—reminding millions of an ancient, visceral fear: that the smallest creatures can sometimes cause the greatest discomfort. And while science and sanitation have advanced, the idea of something alive crawling inside one’s ear remains among the most universally unsettling experiences imaginable.
For those who watched the footage, the sight of the wriggling cockroach being removed was both horrifying and mesmerizing. It illustrated the strange intersection of medicine, nature, and human vulnerability—a moment that perfectly captures why such stories continue to fascinate the public despite their grotesque nature. The boy’s experience may be rare, but it will likely echo in the imaginations of many for a long time to come, each viewer left wondering what might lurk in the dark silence of the night.