The Story of Shyam Lal Yadav - The Man Who Grew a 4-Inch "Devil’s Horn" After Hitting His Head – A Medical Mystery

 

A Bump That Wouldn’t Stop Growing

In 2014, Indian laborer Shyam Lal Yadav noticed something strange after hitting his head—a small bump started growing. At first, his barber simply shaved it down like normal hair. But this wasn’t hair.

It was a horn.

And it wouldn’t stop growing.

The 4-Inch "Devil’s Horn"

Over five years, the mysterious growth reached 10 cm (4 inches) long, curling from Yadav’s scalp like something out of a horror movie. Doctors identified it as a sebaceous horn—a rare keratin-based tumor made of the same material as fingernails.

🔍 Key Facts About Sebaceous Horns:
✔ Often benign but can turn cancerous
✔ Caused by skin damage, viruses, or sun exposure
✔ Most common in older adults (Yadav was in his 60s)

The Surgery That Saved Him

When home remedies failed, Yadav visited Bhagyoday Tirth Hospital in Sagar, India. Surgeons:

Shaved the horn (yes, it was that hard!)

Removed the root to prevent regrowth

Grafted skin over the wound

Thankfully, biopsy results confirmed it wasn’t cancerous.

Why This Case Shocked Doctors

Sebaceous horns are extremely rare—so rare that Yadav’s case was published in the International Journal of Surgery. Most develop on:
▪️ Faces
▪️ Hands
▪️ Ears

But a scalp horn this large? Almost unheard of.

Could This Happen to You?

While sebaceous horns are usually harmless, experts warn:
⚠️ Don’t ignore strange growths
⚠️ See a dermatologist for persistent lumps
⚠️ Never try to remove them yourself

Yadav’s story proves even the weirdest medical issues have solutions!

🔍 Want More Bizarre Medical Stories?
👉 "The Woman Who Sweats Blood"
👉 "The Man Who Can’t Stop Growing Nails"

💬 COMMENT: "What’s the strangest medical case you’ve heard of?"

#MedicalMystery #RareCondition #DevilsHorn

(Source: International Journal of Surgery Case Reports)