An endoscopic image shows a cluster of dog ticks inside the ear of a young girl in Can Tho City, southern Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Can Tho Children’s Hospital.
Vo Thi Thuy Linh, head of the hospital's specialty department, said the girl, from Ninh Kieu District in Can Tho City, had experienced persistent ear itching and bleeding after repeatedly scratching the area.
An endoscopic examination revealed a nest of ticks embedded in the ear canal.
Doctors believe the parasites had been inside the ear for some time, reproducing and forming a sizable colony.
The child's family said they keep multiple dogs at home.
Ear, nose, and throat specialists at the hospital performed a procedure to remove the ticks and clean the ear canal.
No damage to the ear canal or eardrum was found, and the patient was discharged with instructions for follow-up care.
Doctors warned that close contact with household pets such as dogs and cats, especially without proper hygiene, may increase the risk of parasite infestation, allergic reactions, or transmission of zoonotic diseases.
Families with young children are advised to take extra precautions.
Max: 1500 characters
There are no comments yet. Be the first to comment.