Myiasis is a type of infection of a fly larva (maggot) in human tissues. This infection can catch you mostly in tropical and subtropical areas. In myiasis, there is a constant feeling of itching, a sensation of movement, and a sharp and stabbing pain. Initially, people experience a small and red bump that may look like a common insect bite pimple. But later on, the bump enlarges, and a small opening can be seen in the middle. Read further to know about the symptoms, causes and treatment of myiasis.
Symptoms of myiasis
.jpg)
People living in unsanitary and unhygienic conditions are at a greater risk of contracting the disease. Elderly people are also at risk from the same, while people with mental disabilities may also have a higher chance of suffering from Myiasis. The signs and symptoms associated with the disease depends on the part of the body where the worm infection has occurred. Here are the main symptoms of myiasis:
- Sensation of movement
- Itching
- Sharp and stabbing pain
- Red bumps or pimple that looks like an insect bite
- Opening in the center of a bump
What causes myiasis?
The main cause of human getting myiasis is if an infection from accidentally ingesting larvae, flies lay eggs around an open wound or sore, or through the nose or ears. People may also get bit by mosquitoes or ticks that harbor larvae. Intestinal myiasis results from ingestion of food contaminated with eggs or larvae of flies and may produce cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Within a short time, however, the organisms are destroyed by gastrointestinal juices and passed in the feaces.
The larvae hatch and feed on the involved tissues, sometimes causing extensive or even fatal damage. Examples of species of flies known to infect open wounds include the housefly (Musca domestica) and the New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax); the spotted flesh fly (Wohlfahrtia magnifica) may infest the eye, ear, nose, or mouth. The larvae of some species, such as the mango, or tumbu, fly (Cordylobia anthropophaga), penetrate unbroken skin, especially of infants, producing boil-like lesions or creeping eruptions.
Myiasis treatment
Doctors will be able to diagnose the condition by simply testing the infected region and screening for the larvae in the sample. Surgery is the preferred method for the removal of the larvae and medications may not be involved in the entire treatment procedure. Treatment of superficial infestation involves removing the larvae by irrigation and mechanical extraction. Because larvae feed on dead tissue and foreign matter in open wounds, they were sometimes deliberately introduced to supplement surgical removal of dead or diseased tissue and to prevent infection.
Also read: Stomach Worm Infections: Know Types And Symptoms For Differentiation
Typically, surgery is performed to remove a severe infection. In some cases suffocative procedure is followed where the parasite are made to suffocate. Doctors use a petroleum jelly and other gel like substances to cover the region of infection. Parasites that die through this process will pass out of the body on their own volition. Medications may also be prescribed for some cases of myiasis. Ivermectin is a drug that is often used to treat the condition. However, in most cases, surgery is the best possible way to remove the parasites from the body.
Results are permanent in most cases and the doctor may keep an eye to ensure that all of the parasites have been removed. Recovery for myiasis depends on where the infection occurred. However, in most cases, it takes anywhere between a month or two at the most for people to recover from the infection.