When traveling to tropical regions, most people take precautions against mosquito bites and other insect-related risks. However, in certain areas of Central and South America, another rare but important condition occasionally affects visitors and residents alike: cutaneous myiasis. This skin condition is caused by the larvae of certain fly species, most notably the human botfly (Dermatobia hominis).
Although the condition can sound alarming, it is both treatable and preventable. By raising awareness, medical experts hope to provide travelers and locals with the knowledge they need to reduce risks and seek appropriate care if symptoms appear.
Cutaneous myiasis is a parasitic skin infection that occurs when fly larvae penetrate the surface of the skin and develop within the tissue. While the condition may be unfamiliar to many outside of tropical medicine, it has been documented for centuries in regions where the human botfly is native.
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