What started as a mild skin irritation for a young white woman visiting South America quickly turned into a shocking discovery—a botfly maggot had burrowed itself into her skin. At first, she thought it was just a mosquito bite. The area was red, swollen, and slightly painful. But over the next few days, the bump grew larger, became tender to the touch, and developed a small breathing hole at the center. That’s when she realized something was very wrong.
Upon consulting a local clinic, she was told the truth—a botfly larva had hatched inside her skin and was now living beneath the surface. Botflies are known for laying eggs on mosquitoes; when a mosquito bites a person, the warmth causes the eggs to hatch and the larvae to burrow into the skin. The maggot feeds on tissue while breathing through a small hole, which is often visible.
The removal was both gruesome and fascinating. A trained professional applied pressure around the inflamed area, trying to coax the larva out without damaging it or the surrounding skin. In some cases, petroleum jelly or bacon fat is applied over the breathing hole to suffocate the maggot, forcing it to come to the surface. In this instance, they used a surgical tool to gently extract it.
The moment the fat, wriggling larva emerged was both horrifying and relieving. It had grown significantly inside her skin, and the removal left a noticeable cavity. However, once cleaned and properly dressed, the wound began to heal quickly.
For the woman, it was an unforgettable and shocking experience—but also one that ended in relief. She later admitted that although the idea of a maggot under her skin was terrifying, the human body’s resilience amazed her. And thanks to prompt medical care, she escaped any serious complications or infections.
This story serves as a reminder for travelers: in tropical areas, insect repellent and protective clothing are a must. Sometimes, nature is a bit too close for comfort.