Posted by Leslie Bearden on October 6, 2005

Q: I have a question for you. I was in the bathroom with my 2 yr old,(trying to potty train) when I looked over & a bug was starting to crawl up her nose! I tried to get it in time, but I'm not sure I did. From all I can tell it is a sowbug. Looks the same, and did not roll up into a ball. I am slightly worried, because, although I read they are not poisonous, I dont want it to be crawling around in her head or anything. I may just be a paranoid mom, but I've read that they thrive in moist, dark places, and if it went in her nose, all the things back there & dark & moist. I just don't want it to have babies or anything. Please, any response you could give me would be appreciated. I got her to blow her nose, but nothing came out. What are the chances of this insect living inside of her? And do you think I need to get her to a doctor?? Thanks so much!!

Habitat: suburban/yard

State: Tennessee

Habitat: suburban/yard

A: I can certainly understand your concern but I'm quite sure it is NOT in your child's nose. If it were, your child should have had an itchy/tickly feeling and produced lots of mucus. The little legs of a sowbug or pillbug would have caused an irritation and your child's body's response would have been to try and "wash it out". Pillbugs or sowbugs are quite common and although they do like moist places, I've never heard of them getting into anyone's nose.

Your reaction to have the child blow its nose was very good one as that would almost certainly have eliminated it if it were in there.

Hope I've calmed your fears. Keep an eye on your child, just to be sure, but all should be just fine now. Thanks for asking and I hope you find our site useful in the future.

John Wiessinger ( October 6, 2005)