A 23-year-old man from Xian, Shanxi region in northern China, recently found the shocking cause of his constant sneezing and runny nose—reporting a two-cm dice that had been stuck in his nasal cavity for more than 20 years.
The man, identified as Xiaoma, had been suffering from chronic sneezing, nasal congestion, and a constant runny nose for nearly a month, as reported by Bailu Video. When traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) failed to provide relief, he sought professional help at the Xian Gaoxin Hospital.
Doctors initially diagnosed him with allergic rhinitis (an allergic reaction that causes sneezing, an itchy nose and watery eyes) but were surprised to find an object in his nasal passage during an examination. According to reports, a nasal endoscopy conducted by Yang Rong, an otolaryngologist at the hospital, revealed the presence of a dice lodged deep in Xiaoma’s nasal cavity.
Dice image shared on community platform
“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 later recalled that the dice may have entered his nose when he was around three or four years old, though he couldn’t remember the exact details. Reports also suggest that over the years, the dice had adhered to the surrounding tissues, making its removal risky. Improper handling during the procedure could have caused the dice to fall into his airway, potentially leading to suffocation.
Fortunately, doctors successfully removed the dice through surgery, bringing an end to its decades-long stay in Xiaoma’s nose.
Yang also stressed 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,” he warned.
While it’s unclear if Xiaoma has experienced any long-term health effects, his unusual case has left the Chinese online community astounded. Many users left comments on the community platform. A user wrote, “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.” While another stated, “This is horrifying. It’s been corroded. Just looking at the picture makes me uncomfortable.”
