The man recalled that dice may have accidentally gone up his nose when he was about three or four, though it is unclear how it happened. - Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Douyin
BEIJING: A young man, who had been experiencing persistent sneezing and a runny nose, was shocked to discover that a dice had been lodged in his nasal cavity for more than 20 years.
The revelation has also left the Chinese online community astounded.
The man, 23, known simply as Xiaoma from Xian, Shanxi province, northern China, had been suffering from chronic sneezing, nasal congestion, and a constant runny nose for nearly a month, as reported by Bailu Video.
After unsuccessful attempts to treat himself with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), he sought medical help at Xian Gaoxin Hospital.
The hospital diagnosed him with allergic rhinitis and identified a foreign object in his nasal passage, according to the clinic’s medical record.
Later, an examination through nasal endoscopy conducted by Yang Rong, an otolaryngologist at the hospital, revealed a dice lodged in his nasal cavity.
“During the nasal endoscopy, we discovered a foreign object – a white lump coated with secretions. Upon extraction, it turned out to be a two-cm dice, partially corroded from being lodged in his nasal cavity for an extended period. It was located in the lower nasal passage, causing damage to the nasal mucosa,” Yang explained.
Xiaoma recalled that the dice may have accidentally entered his nose when he was about three or four years old, although it remains unclear how it ended up there.
However, the situation was particularly dangerous because the dice had adhered to the surrounding tissues over the years.
Any improper handling during the procedure could have caused it to fall into his airway, potentially leading to suffocation.
Fortunately, the dice was successfully removed through surgery, ending its decades-long stay in Xiaoma’s nose.
It remains unclear if Xiaoma has experienced any long-term health consequences or side effects from living with the dice for over 20 years.
Yang further emphasised the importance of parental vigilance during children’s playtime: “Parents should pay close attention to foreign objects in the nasal cavity. They can fall into the postnaris or airway, posing a life-threatening risk. Such situations typically require immediate emergency treatment.”
The incident stirred a flurry of shocked comments online.
One viewer asked: “He’s only 23 years old, and the dice has been lodged in his nose for 20 years? How big was his nostril at three years old? Honestly, it’s impressive he managed to live with that for 20 years.”
Another commented: “This is really horrifying. It’s been corroded. Just looking at the picture makes me uncomfortable.”
While a third remarked: “This is a wake-up call for parents. Foreign objects in the nose are no joke; any abnormal symptoms should be addressed immediately at a hospital!” - South China Morning Post
