A 21-year-old woman from São Vicente, Brazil, endured a terrifying and painful ordeal after a centipede crawled onto her face and bit her on the lip while she was sleeping.

Nataly Galdino said she woke up in “unbearable pain” and had to spend two full days in the hospital recovering from the venomous bite, which caused her lips to swell dramatically.

Sharing her frightening experience on Instagram, Nataly recalled the surreal moment she woke up to the sting:

“I was sleeping and, in the middle of the night, I felt something prick my upper lip. I saw it was stuck to my blanket and its claw was in my mouth. But it was dark, so all I did was pull.”

For several seconds, she struggled to remove whatever was attached to her face. When she finally turned on the light, she was horrified — her mouth was bleeding, and a large centipede lay writhing on the floor nearby.

Although centipede venom is rarely fatal to humans, it can cause intense pain, inflammation, and allergic reactions. Nataly’s case was especially alarming because the bite was located directly on her lips, an area with delicate skin and many blood vessels.

She said her lips swelled up almost instantly, and she soon began to experience shortness of breath and dizziness, prompting her to rush to the emergency room.

“My mouth immediately started to swell, and I ran to the hospital,” she said. “They gave me medication for pain and allergies and kept me under observation.”

Doctors administered anti-inflammatory and antihistamine medication to counter the venom’s effects, and she remained under close supervision for several hours before being discharged.

At home, Nataly continued recovering for two days as the swelling gradually subsided. Though she tried to stay positive, she admitted that the pain lingered and made it difficult to eat or speak normally.

“It was scary. I didn’t know much about centipedes, if their venom was poisonous, or if I was going to die,” she admitted. “I kept thinking, what if it had crawled into my mouth instead?”

She later joked that the swelling left her with “Angelina Jolie lips,” but the experience was anything but glamorous.

Following the incident, Nataly urged others to be cautious and aware of potential pests hiding in the home — especially in warm, humid climates like Brazil’s coastal regions, where centipedes often seek shelter indoors.

“Pay attention to your surroundings,” she warned. “Check your bed, your clothes, and corners of the room. I hope no one else has to go through something like this.”

Experts note that centipedes are usually nocturnal and prefer dark, damp spaces, but can occasionally find their way into homes. While their bites are uncommon, people are advised to seek medical attention immediately if bitten, especially if swelling or breathing problems occur.

Nataly’s terrifying encounter has since gone viral online, with thousands expressing sympathy — and many vowing to double-check their beds before going to sleep.