What is Mouth Larva Symptoms Causes and Treatment

What is Mouth Larva?| Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

In this article, I am going to discuss with you all about Mouth Larva. Things which I am going to cover are:

  • Introduction
  • Causes
  • Symptoms
  • Treatment

Let’s start the discussion step by step in detail.

Introduction

Mouth larva is also called Myiasis, which was first described by F. W. Hope in 1840. This condition is prevalent in rural areas and especially in 3rd world countries.

It is caused by dipterous larvae that usually feed on living and dead tissues of the host animal, whether livestock or human beings.

It is also caused by larvae of the flying family sarcophagidae in wounds. Cutaneous Myiasis is the most commonly observed form of mouth Larvae. In this case, maggot penetrates the skin and develops in the tissue under the skin. Another common type is the creeping Myiasis.

The other type of Myiasis is wound Myiasis, where the eggs are deposited on decaying human and animal tissues. They may also be deposited on pus-discharging wounds. Myiasis of the body cavities occurs when maggots invade the eyes. That can cause meningitis and death in case these maggots migrate to the brain.

Causes of Mouth Larva

In the introduction, I have mentioned some of the common causes, but, to make it easier to understand, Myiasis is caused by the infestation of humans with the larvae of the Diptera order of fly species. Some of the species include

  • Dermatobiahominis
  • Cordylobiaanthropophaga
  • Oestrusovis and many more

Symptoms

Symptoms of Mouth Larvae depends on the part of the mouth that is infected. Cutaneous Myiasis infests mostly sites that are exposed, including the extremities, scalp, and back.

The first symptom, in this case, is the development of an abscess resembling an insect bite. The papule will swell into a boil-like lesion, which can be higher than 10 mm in diameter. The other thing you can notice quickly is a small pore at the center of the boil. This small pore allows the larvae to breathe.

If the condition isn’t treated early enough, the patient may experience pain and irritation. Some other people have reported feeling the larvae move around in the tissue. However, this condition is likely to happen in the case of D hominins.

In Creeping Myiasis, where the human is an accidental host, the patient is likely to experience painful swelling that creeps throughout the body. The larvae are likely to migrate to find a conducive place to stay. In the case of Myiasis of body cavities, you can become blind.

Treatment

There are several methods that a qualified health practitioner can use to remove Myiasis in Human beings. Some of them include the Suffocation approach, where petroleum jelly, liquid paraffin, heavy oil, or bacon strips are placed over the central punctum to suffocate the larvae.

They can also be removed through a surgical approach. An operation is carried forward to remove the larvae, followed by primary wound closure.

The other alternative is oral ivermectin or topical ivermectin. However, this method is specifically beneficial with Oral and orbital Myiasis.

Conclusion!

After reading this article, you have got a complete overview of the Mouth Larva, but if there is any question left, ask me through comments.

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2 thoughts on “What is Mouth Larva?| Symptoms, Causes and Treatment”

  1. Hi dr monica.’ I thanks you because I spent some money to. Fine my lavaes gusano problem and dr .yes sed you have alergy. I so tired for 6 years sick.’y got some warm at the top of my head. It’s mo ving for everywhere .’ I felt it at my lips to long time ago

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