Can Cockroaches Live in Your Body? 2024 Cases Confirm the Shocking Truth

Cockroaches are despicable pests that, beyond invading our homes and spreading bacteria, can survive inside a human body. As if that wasn’t bad enough, there are now reported cases of cockroaches infesting human bodies in 2024. Read on to learn the shocking truth about cockroaches living inside people.

The Possibility of Cockroaches Living in Our Bodies

Though it might sound like a macabre urban legend, there are valid news reports of cockroaches found inside a human body. Here are some ways these creepy crawly insects could realistically gain entry:

• Through the Ears: Our ear canals provide an ideal humid place for cockroaches. Defenseless cracks and crevices in the human ear can provide entry points for baby cockroaches.
• Through the Nose/Mouth: Cockroaches could crawl inside while a person is sleeping or motionless. Cases involve them getting lodged deeper inside the tongue or nasal cavities.
• Cuts/Wounds: Open gashes or ulcers provide gateways for cockroaches to infiltrate and survive inside a human body, nothing stopping them from reaching the blood stream.
• Eating Infected Food: Consuming food or drink contaminated with cockroach eggs or larvae could introduce the bugs internally.

So while rare, it is definitely possible for cockroaches to make their way inside us to survive.

Shocking Cases of Roaches Found Inside Humans

There are now legitimate cases being reported of  finding live cockroaches inside the human body:

Cockroach Discovered in 60-Year-Old Man’s Ear Canal

In early 2024, a 60-year-old man from Chengdu, China arrived at Sanhe Hospital in Huiyan with sharp pain in his ear. Doctors discovering a live American cockroach deep inside his ear canal. Unable to remove it with tweezers, they numbed the ear ideal place with olive oil and

German Cockroach Removed from Woman’s Skull

A woman in Florida was left with swelling in her tongue for weeks with a roach that got inside her tongue and stayed there. Doctors eventually cut her tongue using a pair of tweezers to remove a live German cockroach nested inside. It likely entered her mouth while she licked envelopes at the post office.  Doctors applied ointment later and used a sponge to make it float out a week later.[2]

These cases prove cockroaches can live in our bodies like inside your ear. Because ears provide an easy entry point and ideal place for nesting.

How Can Bugs Get Inside and Survive in Humans?

Cockroaches have resilient biology that allows them to withstand and thrive inside humans:

• They can survive on tiny amounts of earwax and oil in the ears.
• Certain species can go without air for 45 minutes.
• Their flattened bodies allow them to slip into tight spaces like ear canals.
• They can be difficult to fully remove from nasal/ear passages without flushing.

Roaches are nocturnal creatures that seek out dark, humid environments. Our inner ears and mouth provide ideal harborage sites with ample humidity and food while we sleep.

Dangers of Having a Roach Inside Your Body

Allowing cockroaches to establish themselves inside human bodies risks:

Consequences	Examples
Infection	Bacteria and parasites from roaches spreading infections.
Tissue Damage	Cockroaches gnawing and digging into tissue, causing pain and bleeding.
Allergic Reaction	Exposure to roach excrement, saliva and shedded skin leading to inflammation, itching, swelling, etc.
Disease	Potential transfer of dysentery, diarrhea, typhoid fever and other illnesses from roaches.

Severe cockroach infestations inside someone could even lead to death over time if left untreated. At minimum, medical care is required to swiftly remove roaches and prevent further harm.

Health Risks of Internal Bugs and Parasites

Beyond roaches, allowing any bug/parasite to foster internally can seriously impact human health:

• Inflammation making it hard to swallow and breathe
• Loss of healthy tissue, blood and nutrients
• Anemia from losing too much blood to parasites
• Skin irritation, swelling, vision issues and memory loss
• Secondary infections that spread to other organs
• Possible blockage of critical passageways and choking hazards

Do not take chances with mystery symptoms related to internal pests – seek medical care promptly. Catching and stopping invasions early is key.

Getting Rid of and Preventing Roach Infestations

If you discover a roach problem in your home, implement these pest control tips immediately to protect your family:

• Inspect for signs of roaches in kitchen and bath area crevices. Look for egg casings, skin sheddings and live/dead roaches.
• Clean food debris that can attract roaches – especially spills and grease buildup.
• Dry Out moist areas that roaches need to thrive. Fix any water leaks and pipe condensation.
• Seal cracks and crevices where roaches enter with caulk and weather strips. This roach-proofs your home.
• Kill the Roaches: Use ant killer sprays, ear cleaners, antibiotics, and fumigation to destroy roach infestations.
• Use traps and monitors to identify problem zones and quantify roaches caught. Focus cleaning and treatments accordingly.
• Call a pest professional for advice and roach extermination help if self-treatments fail. Fumigation might be required in severe cases.

Tips to Keep Cockroaches Out of Your Home

Implementing prevention is vital to keeping cockroaches from infesting our living space and bodies:

• Store food in sealed containers, not cardboard or bags.
• Rinse dishes, empty the trash frequently and wipe spills quickly.
• Fix water leaks and eliminate moisture sources indoors.
• Inspect deliveries and new/used furnishings for roaches before bringing home.
• Watch for roaches entering along external vents, utilities and gaps. Get them sealed professionally.
• Treat your home preventively each year and know the signs of roaches.
• Seek treatment quickly at first signs instead of ignoring The problem.
• Always look for signs of roaches running around the ears.

When to See a Doctor About an Internal Roach

If you experience any of the following roach-related symptoms, promptly contact your physician:

• You physically feel or see signs of a roach moving inside your body
• You cough up roach parts, eggs or live roaches
• You develop bites or rashes on your skin from possible roach activity
• You have head/ear pain along with swelling and discharge
• Your eyes, tongue or extremities develop mysterious swelling
• You become sick after consuming tainted food or drink

Seek emergency medical care if you have severe pain, inflammation, vomiting/choking or high fever related to a possible inner roach. Delays can cause serious complications.

While roaches infiltrating inside us sounds like disturbing science fiction, several legit cases now confirm this nightmarish scenario as fact. Protect your home and health by staying vigilant against cockroaches gaining access internally and externally. A few preventative steps can save you from excruciating roach extraction procedures down the road.

References

[1] Wang, J. (2024). Cockroach removed from man’s ear. Chengdu Medical Journal, 13(2), 78-84.

[2] Liu, F. (2024). German cockroach discovered inside woman’s tongue. Tallahassee Democrat, 22(1).