The larvae of mango flies are notorious for their ability to burrow beneath the skin of mammals, including humans and pets like dogs. They reside under the skin until they mature into adults and eventually emerge.

 

These larvae are parasitic, meaning they invade the skin of mammals and live there until they are ready to hatch into maggots. This type of parasitic infestation in humans is known as cutaneous myiasis.

 

Egg-Laying Habits

Female mango flies prefer to lay their eggs in:

 

Dirt or sand that carries the scent of urine or feces.

The seams of clothing, bedding, towels, and other soft materials left outdoors.

Items that carry the scent of sweat can also attract mango flies, and even washed clothes can be a target. Common places where mango fly eggs may be found include:

 

Clothing dropped on the ground.

Laundry that is air-dried outside.

Life Cycle

Mango fly eggs are extremely tiny and often invisible to the naked eye. Once laid, they typically hatch into larvae within about three days.

 

Symptoms of Infestation

Once the mango fly larvae penetrate the skin, symptoms may take several days to appear, including:

 

Itching: Ranging from mild discomfort to intense, uncontrollable itching, depending on the number of larvae.

Discomfort or Pain: Pain may develop over time, sometimes becoming quite severe.

Blisterlike Lesions: Red dots or mosquito bite-like pimples form, evolving into hard boils within two to six days. These boils can grow to about 1 inch in size and feature a tiny air hole or black dot on top, which is the larvaes breathing tube.

Redness: The skin around each boil may become red and inflamed.

Sensations Under the Skin: You might feel or see the larvae moving within the boils.

Fever: Some individuals may develop a fever days or weeks after the infestation.

Tachycardia: An increased heart rate may occur.

Insomnia: Pain and intense itching can lead to trouble sleeping and difficulty concentrating.

Treatment Options

Hydraulic Expulsion: A doctor may inject each boil with lidocaine and epinephrine, using the fluids force to push the larvae out. In some cases, forceps may be needed to extract them.

 

Suffocation and Pressure:

 

Remove any scab that forms on the lesion, possibly using oil to help.

Cover the black dot on the boil with petroleum jelly or wax to cut off the larvaes air supply, prompting them to crawl out for air, allowing for removal with forceps.

Squeeze and Eject: If the larvae do crawl out, you may need to enlarge the hole slightly and gently squeeze the sides of the boil to eject them. Forceps can assist in this process.

 

It is crucial to remove the larvae in one piece to prevent any remnants from remaining under the skin, which could lead to infection.

 

Prevention Tips

If you live in or travel to areas where mango flies are prevalent, consider these precautions:

 

Avoid drying washed clothing, bedding, or towels outdoors or in areas with open windows. If unavoidable, iron everything on high heat before use, paying special attention to seams.

Whenever possible, wash and dry clothing in machines on high heat.

Refrain from using items, such as backpacks or clothing, that have been left on the ground.

By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the risk of mango fly infestation.