A one-year-old child in China was taken to hospital after repeatedly scratching their ear, with doctors making a startling discovery during an examination — several plant seeds had become lodged deep inside the ear canal and had already started to sprout.
The child was treated at the Ear, Nose and Throat Department of the Capital Children’s Medical Centre affiliated with Capital Medical University. According to the report, the toddler had frequently been scratching their ear but showed no obvious signs of fever, excessive crying or other unusual symptoms.
The situation came to light when the child’s parents noticed what appeared to be a dried seed near the opening of the ear. Concerned that more foreign objects could have entered the ear canal, they promptly brought the child to hospital for assessment.
An ear endoscopy revealed multiple plant seeds embedded deep inside the ear canal and positioned close to the eardrum. Because of the child’s young age, they were unable to co-operate with a routine procedure. Doctors also considered the location of the seeds too risky for removal while the child was awake, as attempting to extract them could potentially tear the ear canal or damage the eardrum.
Doctors therefore performed surgery under general anaesthesia. The procedure reportedly took only about five minutes, with all the seeds successfully removed intact. What shocked the medical team was that the seeds had already begun germinating after becoming trapped inside the ear.
Doctors explained that the external ear canal can provide conditions favourable for seeds to sprout, as it is relatively warm and moist and contains oxygen. Ear secretions combined with moisture can create an environment that allows certain seeds to begin growing.
Foreign objects in the ear are relatively common among young children and can include plant seeds, beans, toy parts, stickers, pieces of paper, cotton fibres and even insects. Because children may not always be able to explain what is bothering them, subtle behavioural changes can sometimes be the first warning sign.
Parents are advised to seek medical attention if a child repeatedly scratches their ears, frequently shakes their head, becomes unusually irritable or cries without an obvious reason. Other warning signs include refusing to lie on one side, discharge or pus coming from the ear, or appearing less responsive to sounds.
The incident serves as a reminder that even seemingly minor changes in a young child’s behaviour should not be ignored, particularly when they involve the ears. Early examination can help identify foreign objects before they cause further injury or complications.
