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Living with Wound myiasis

A rare condition in which fly larvae infest open wounds, sometimes with fever, pain, and secondary infection.

Understanding Wound myiasis

Wound myiasis is a rare condition in which fly larvae infest open wounds.

Mucous membranes and body openings can also be affected. It may come with fever, pain, and secondary infection, and can cause tissue damage. GARD lists risk factors including poor hygiene, very young or advanced age, alcoholism, diabetes, and vascular occlusive disease.

Signs & symptoms

GARD lists these possible symptoms:

  • Fly larvae in an open wound
  • Fever
  • Pain
  • Secondary infection
  • Tissue damage

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 is the wound treated and cleaned?
How can we prevent infestation in other wounds?
Do my other health conditions raise my risk?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startAdult and as an Older Adult

GARD says it is caused by infestation of open wounds by fly larvae. Risk factors include poor hygiene, very young or advanced age, alcoholism, diabetes, and vascular occlusive disease.

Infectious

Also known as: infestation of wound caused by fly larvae; traumatic myiasis

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Wound myiasisGARD ID 20065 · 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 Wound myiasis.

Explore the Wound myiasis blog

Explore research for Wound myiasis

Explore actively recruiting Wound myiasis studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Wound 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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