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Living with Furuncular myiasis

A skin infestation caused by fly larvae (maggots) that enter through healthy skin.

Understanding Furuncular myiasis

Furuncular myiasis is a parasitic disease in which fly larvae infest the skin.

In furuncular myiasis, the eggs of certain flies can get through healthy skin. GARD names three species involved: the African tumbu fly (Cordylobia anthropophaga), Lund's fly (Cordylobia rodhaini), and the human botfly (Dermatobia hominis). It can happen at any time in life.

Signs & symptoms

GARD doesn't list specific symptoms for this condition yet.

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who knows rare conditions.

  3. Ask 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
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
How can you tell which kind of fly larvae is in the skin?
Who should check and care for the affected skin area?
How can I lower the chance of this happening again?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startany time in life

The condition is caused by larvae of certain fly species that infest the skin. These are flies whose eggs are able to get through healthy skin.

Infectious

Also known as: furunculoid myiasis; furunculous myiasis

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Furuncular myiasisGARD ID 2418 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Furuncular myiasis.

Explore the Furuncular myiasis blog

Explore research for Furuncular myiasis

Explore actively recruiting Furuncular myiasis studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Furuncular 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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