Man's horror as 20 live maggots are found living under his skin after Africa trip

A man was found to have 20 maggots living under his skin after he complained of sore and itchy blotches on his body.

The man, surnamed Ma, from Guangzhou, China, had spent six months working in Africa, according to Apple Daily.

When he returned home, he went to see local doctors about his itchy skin but his condition did not improve.

He endured the itching for another two weeks before seeing a dermatologist at the Shenzhen Nanshan Hospital.

The dermatologist examined the man's pus-filled sores and determined that maggots were nestled underneath under the skin of his abdomen and right thigh.


A blood test confirmed his diagnosis , as it showed elevated levels of eosinophils, white blood cells for combating parasites and infections.

The man later underwent a minor surgical procedure to extract a total of 20 wriggling live maggots from his body.

The maggots were later identified as tumbu fly maggots, a type of blowfly whose larvae is known to feed on living human tissue.

Travellers to Africa, where the parasitic flies are prevalent, are advised to take precaution against insects.

Source