Myiasis | Medtick
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Myiasis

What is it?

It is when fly eggs hatch and form maggots (larvae) which feed on dead or living skin, body or ingested food.

  • The maggots are from two winged flies which lay their eggs on other insects or mosquitoes which in turn infect humans.

There are different types of flies throughout the world:

Gasterophilus intestinalis:

  • Worldwide
  • Most common condition and usually affects horses which then infects human via touch.

Hypoderma bovis and H. Lineatum:

  • Northern hemisphere
  • Mainly infects cattle and enters into human via mouth or broken skin.

Dermatobia hominis fly:

  • Central and South America

Cordylobia fly:

  • Tropical Africa
  • Lay eggs in shade or damp areas, like wet clothes being dried on the floor, faeces and urine or sandy soil.

Cuterebra fly:

  • North America
  • Normally infects squirrels, rodents and rabbits, which then can affect humans via entering the skin, nose, eyes, mouth or anus.
    Most cases occur: August to October

Wohlfahrtia vigil and wohlfahrtia opaca:

  • North America, Europe, Russia and Pakistan
  • Normally only affects rodents, cats, ferrets, dogs, minks, foxes and young children via broken skin.
    Most cases occur: June to September

Wounds:

  • If one has an open wound flies could lay their eggs on the area.

Cochliomyia hominivorax:

  • Central and South America

Chrysomya bezziana:

  • Africa, India, Southeast Asia

Wohlfahrtia magnifica:

  • Europe, Russia, North Africa and Middle East.

Diagnosis tests

  • Clinical examination
  • Larval identification (microscopic examination)
  • Dermatoscopy
  • Histopathology (biopsy)
  • Blood tests (CBC, eosinophil count)
  • Wound swab and culture
  • Eye examination (slit-lamp examination) to detect larvae
  • Nasal/ear myiasis: Endoscopic examination to locate larvae.
  • CT or MRI imaging
  • Ultrasound of soft tissue

Cause

  • Dermatobia hominis species
  • Cordylobia species
  • Cuterebra species
  • Wohlfahrtia vigil and wohlfahrtia opaca species
  • Gasterophilus intestinalis species
  • Hypoderma bovis and H. Lineatum species
  • Cochliomyia hominivorax species
  • Chrysomya bezziana: species
  • Wohlfahrtia magnifica: species

Symptoms

  • New rash that has appeared or existing rash getting worst (itchy and red) which may also appear as Snake-like red streak (that is red at one end and fades at other end) skin appearance?
  • Small red papule which may look like a boil like nodule (hard lump) with a central core later on?
  • Black dot or tail of maggot may be seen at central core?
  • Skin infection (swollen skin with yellow discharge)?
  • Aggression and insomnia?
  • High temperature greater than 38°C (100°F) or over and/or chills and sweats longer than 72 hours?
  • Aching, painful muscles, muscle cramps/spasms/stiffness?
  • Numbness and pain in infected area?
  • Joint stiffness and pain?

Males:

  • Swelling in scrotum area?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Medical Emergency Condition

Do not wait, Phone for an ambulance

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Myiasis in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

  • Medical News Today

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  • NHS

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  • WebMD

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  • Cleveland Clinic

    Pushing the Standards of care.

  • Mayo Clinic

    No.1 Hospital in the Nation (America)

  • Drugs.com

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  • National Organisation of Rare Diseases

    NORD is dedicated to supporting education, elevating care, advancing research, and driving policy for rare diseases.

  • Verywell Health

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  • Nathnac

    Travel health guidance for health professionals advising travellers and for travellers going overseas from the UK.

  • DR Axe

    Health and fitness news. Recipes, Natural Remedies

  • Better health - NHS

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    There has never been a better time to kickstart your health. Let’s do this!

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