Florida Man Has 150 Live Bugs Removed from Nose

A shocking medical case has emerged in Florida, where a man had to undergo a terrifying ordeal after 150 live bugs were extracted from his nose. The patient, whose identity has not been disclosed, sought medical attention at HCA Florida Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville after experiencing excruciating symptoms in his nasal cavity and sinuses.

According to a report by Jacksonville’s First Coast News, the man initially felt as though his whole face was on fire, prompting him to seek urgent medical care. The ordeal began in October when he started experiencing discomfort, but the situation quickly escalated, leading to severe swelling of his face and lips, as well as frequent nosebleeds. The patient described his alarming symptoms, stating, "Over a couple hours, my face just started swelling, my lips swelled, I could hardly talk. I couldn’t even get up to go to the bathroom without my nose starting to bleed."

Examination and Procedure

Upon examination by Dr. David Carlson, an ear, nose, and throat specialist, the severity of the situation became apparent. Dr. Carlson was astounded to discover numerous bugs, some as large as the end of a pinkie, feeding and residing in the man’s nasal and sinus cavities. The doctor expressed his concern, emphasizing the potential danger the patient faced, revealing, “I knew he was in big trouble, there was erosion that was occurring near the skull base in very close proximity to his eye and his brain.”

Efforts to remove the insects initially involved using suction, but the insects, which were in their larval stage, proved too large to be extracted in this manner. Consequently, the painstaking process of removing them one by one from the man’s nose was undertaken to ensure the patient's safety. Dr. Carlson emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “They were right up against his skull base, right under the brain, had they gone through that it could have killed him.”

The extracted bugs have been sent to an epidemiologist for species identification. Despite the harrowing ordeal, the patient is expected to make a full recovery, offering a glimmer of hope at the end of this distressing episode.

The circumstances surrounding the infestation remain shrouded in mystery. The patient suggested a possible link to his handling of dead fish and subsequent hygiene practices, revealing, “Before I would rinse my hands in the river, now I’ll use cleaner to do a better job and not touch my nose or my hand.”

The terrifying ordeal faced by the Florida man serves as a cautionary tale, shedding light on the unforeseen dangers that individuals may encounter. This dramatic case underscores the importance of maintaining proper hygiene practices and taking necessary precautions to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

As the patient embarks on the road to recovery, medical professionals and experts will continue to investigate and analyze this rare and unsettling occurrence, potentially providing insights and guidance to mitigate such risks in the future.