Living with Creeping myiasis
A rare skin condition caused by bot fly larvae burrowing under the skin.
Understanding Creeping myiasis
Horse bot fly larvae enter the skin and make tunnels in its upper layers, where they can move for up to several months. This causes winding, red, very itchy lesions. Cattle bot fly larvae go deeper under the skin and cause more painful red lesions, which usually go away after hours or days when the larvae move on to another area.
Signs & symptoms
GARD doesn't list a full symptom list for this condition. Its summary mentions these:
- Winding, red skin lesions
- Intense itching
- Painful red skin lesions
- Lesions that move to new areas
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who knows rare conditions.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- A doctor familiar with rare conditions, plus specialists as needed
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
It is caused by infestation of the skin by larvae of horse or cattle bot flies.
Also known as: migratory myiasis; myiasitic creeping eruption
Patient organizations
Rare-disease groups that can help
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Creeping myiasis.
Explore research for Creeping myiasis
Explore actively recruiting Creeping myiasis studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Creeping myiasis with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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