A man has gone viral after sharing the stomach-churning moment he discovered a wasp lodged deep in his shoulder — and calmly removed it himself.
The clip, which has racked up millions of views across social media, shows the unnamed man standing shirtless while someone behind the camera zooms in on a small but alarming detail near his upper shoulder. At first glance, it looks like a dark speck under the skin. But within seconds, viewers realize it’s something far worse.
It’s moving.
According to the man, he had been outdoors when he felt a sudden sharp sting near his shoulder blade. Assuming it was a typical sting from a passing insect, he brushed it off — until the pain didn’t stop.
“It felt like pressure, not just a sting,” he explained in the caption of the video. “Like something was still there.”
When a friend took a closer look, they noticed what appeared to be part of a wasp partially embedded in his skin. Somehow, during the sting, the insect had become lodged near the surface — close enough to see, but deep enough to cause serious discomfort.
And that’s when the camera started rolling.
The footage shows the man taking a deep breath as a pair of tweezers are brought into frame. Social media users have described the moment as “pure nightmare fuel,” with many admitting they had to look away.
As the tweezers grip the visible portion of the insect, the man braces himself. What follows is a tense few seconds of steady pulling. The skin stretches slightly before — suddenly — the wasp comes free.
Fully intact.
The person filming audibly gasps as the insect drops onto a nearby surface, still visibly twitching. The man, meanwhile, exhales in relief.
“I can’t believe that was inside me,” he says, shaking his head.
Commenters were quick to flood the post with reactions.
“Nope. Absolutely not. I would’ve passed out,” one person wrote.
Another added: “New fear unlocked.”
While most wasp stings don’t result in the insect remaining embedded — unlike honeybees, which can leave their stingers behind — experts note that in rare cases, parts of the wasp can become trapped if the insect is crushed or pressed against the skin during the sting.
Medical professionals generally advise against self-removal if an insect or foreign object appears lodged beneath the skin, recommending instead that individuals seek medical attention to prevent infection or complications. However, in this case, the man reported cleaning the area thoroughly afterward and said he experienced no further issues beyond soreness.
Still, the video has sparked widespread debate online about how people would react in a similar situation.
“I’m going straight to the ER,” one commenter insisted.
Others praised the man’s composure. “The calmness is unreal,” someone wrote. “I would’ve been screaming.”
Despite the unsettling nature of the footage, many viewers admitted they couldn’t stop watching — a testament to the internet’s enduring fascination with the bizarre and the slightly horrifying.
As for the man at the center of it all? He says he’s just glad it’s over.
“I’ll definitely be more careful next time,” he joked. “And maybe wear thicker shirts.”
One thing’s for sure — the clip has left millions of people double-checking their shoulders.
And if you suddenly feel an itch while reading this… you’re not alone.