You might think you’ve heard it all, but the human body can sometimes become an unwilling host to the most bizarre and unbelievable items. From everyday objects to unwelcome living guests, the stories of things removed from people are often stranger than fiction. Prepare to be amazed, and perhaps a little queasy, as we explore ten of the craziest objects ever extracted from a human being.
10 Cysts
Sometimes, the strangest things found inside us are things our own bodies create. Cysts are a perfect example. These sacs can fill with various fluids. If a cyst remains for a very long time, it can even harden into a peculiar, pearl-like mass.
Dr. Sandra Lee, widely known as Dr. Pimple Popper, often deals with such occurrences. In one memorable case, she removed cysts from a woman’s scalp that had been present for an incredible 35 years. Another patient, Roger, developed a cyst on his nose that formed its own blood supply. This allowed it to grow steadily over about a decade, eventually becoming so large it drooped over his mouth. Thankfully, surgery removed the growth and reconstructed his nose.
These instances show that not all bizarre removals involve foreign objects; sometimes, our bodies are the source of these strange internal formations.
9 Larvae
Yes, insects are definitely on this list. It’s a chilling thought, but some flies, like the notorious botfly, lay their eggs under the skin of mammals. Once hatched, the larvae treat the host’s tissue like an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Botflies are fuzzy, almost bee-like insects, but their parasitic nature is terrifying. The fly might deposit eggs directly, or the larvae can find a host and burrow into the skin. This creates a painful, wound-like lesion, sometimes with a small raised bump. The victim might even feel movement beneath the skin.
If you suspect a botfly larva, see a dermatologist immediately. Attempting to remove it yourself can be risky. If left untreated, the infection can worsen. Doctors often suffocate the larva by covering the area with tape or petroleum jelly, making extraction easier. Fortunately, botflies are less common in colder, drier climates. However, travelers to tropical regions like Brazil should be extra cautious.
8 It’s People
This one sounds like science fiction, but it’s shockingly real. Occasionally, individuals are found to have parts of an undeveloped twin inside their own bodies. This condition, known as “fetus in fetu,” occurs when one twin is absorbed by the other during pregnancy but doesn’t fully develop.
While these undeveloped twins rarely reach a significant stage, a remarkable case occurred in Malaysia in 2016. A 15-year-old boy was hospitalized due to severe stomach pains. Doctors discovered a parasitic twin residing in his abdomen. This twin was surprisingly well-formed, possessing legs, hands, and even genitals, although its mouth and nose were incomplete.
Parasitic twins depend entirely on their host for survival. Sadly, removing this twin led to its demise. Most such twins die before birth, but some can survive and grow, only being discovered when they start causing health problems for the host.
7 Moths
Have you ever instinctively covered your ears when walking past a swarm of moths near a porch light at night? That instinct might be well-founded. Moths are another type of insect that can, unfortunately, end up inside the human body, particularly in ears.
It happens more often than you might think. While it’s possible to try and remove a small insect yourself, it’s always safer to see a doctor. A medical professional can use warm water or oil to gently flush the insect out. For larger insects like moths, careful removal with tweezers might be necessary. So, next time you’re around moths, a little caution isn’t misplaced!
6 Roundworm
Parasitic worms are the stuff of nightmares, and roundworms are no exception. People can become infected with roundworms by coming into contact with contaminated soil or food containing their eggs. These parasites function similarly to tapeworms and are equally unsettling to behold.
In one disturbing case, doctors discovered a 6-inch roundworm living in a woman’s lip. One can only imagine her horror upon learning what was causing her discomfort, followed by immense relief after its removal. It’s a stark reminder of the unseen dangers that can lurk in our environment.
5 Retractor
Now we enter the realm of medical malpractice, where surgical tools are unintentionally left inside patients. A surgical retractor is an instrument used to hold organs or tissues aside during an operation, providing surgeons with a clear view.
In a notable case, a man named Donald Church was left with a 12-inch retractor inside his chest after surgery. When he complained of sharp, persistent pain, his surgeon initially dismissed it as normal post-operative discomfort. However, after a month with no improvement, an X-ray revealed the forgotten instrument. This was a serious oversight with painful consequences for the patient.
4 Forceps
Discovering a forgotten surgical instrument after a month is bad enough, but imagine waiting nearly two decades! In 2017, a Vietnamese man named Va Man Nhat sought treatment following a road accident. To everyone’s surprise, surgeons found a pair of surgical scissors, or forceps, broken in two, lodged in his abdomen.
Mr. Nhat recalled undergoing surgery back in 1998 and suspected the forceps were left behind during that procedure. He mentioned experiencing ongoing pain after that initial surgery, but doctors had diagnosed him with an ulcer. It turns out the source of his discomfort was far more metallic and man-made.
3 Cell Phone
This one is a head-scratcher. A 33-year-old man in Kosovo managed to swallow an entire Nokia cell phone. He knowingly ingested the device, which remained in his stomach for four days before medical intervention.
Fortunately, surgeons were able to extract the phone in three pieces without needing to make an incision. However, the reason for swallowing the phone remained a mystery. Ingesting batteries, like the one in a Nokia phone, is extremely dangerous. They contain toxic and corrosive chemicals that can be lethal, especially to children who might accidentally swallow them. This adult patient was very lucky to avoid serious internal damage.
2 Forks and Spoons
In 2009, Margaret Daalman visited a hospital complaining of severe stomach pain. An X-ray soon revealed the astonishing cause: approximately 78 pieces of cutlery were inside her stomach. She had, indeed, eaten dozens of forks and spoons.
Ms. Daalman later explained that she felt an irresistible compulsion to eat the silverware, often ignoring the food on her plate. Doctors reported that she suffered from borderline personality disorder, which they believed contributed to this unusual and dangerous eating behavior. She underwent surgery to successfully remove all the cutlery.
1 Butt Bottle
We end this list with a particularly painful and rather embarrassing incident. A 73-year-old farmer, who used a wooden prosthetic limb, found himself in a precarious situation. Living in an area without modern plumbing, he decided to use an empty glass jar, previously for maraschino cherries, as a makeshift toilet while out in his field.
Disaster struck when his wooden limb broke, causing him to fall directly onto the jar. The glass container became lodged in his rectum, and its neck broke inside him, leading to significant bleeding. He was rushed to the hospital, where surgeons managed to remove the broken jar using obstetric forceps – tools sometimes used during childbirth. Thankfully, the man survived the ordeal. The moral of this story is quite clear: perhaps avoid improvising toilets with glass jars.
The human body is resilient, but these stories highlight just how vulnerable we can be to foreign objects and unusual internal developments. From medical mishaps to bizarre compulsions and unfortunate accidents, the range of items removed is truly astounding.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve heard of being removed from someone? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
