Go Ad-Free
logoThe People's Perspective on Medicine

Maggots Help with Wound Healing

People with diabetes can develop skin lesions that may be hard to treat. Because of poor circulation, these wounds can become infected and are slow to heal. Doctors go to heroic measures to treat them. That can sometimes involve surgery, but the process can be painful and the skin problems can recur. In the most extreme cases, these wounds may lead to amputation.

Now, doctors in Hawaii report that they have had success with maggot therapy for diabetic wounds. The maggots are extremely effective at removing dead cells and encouraging the growth of healthy tissue. The physicians treated 37 patients with long-lasting lesions. Up to 100 maggots were used on each wound. Almost two thirds experienced definite benefit. The infection disappeared, the dead tissue was removed and fresh connective tissue, which promoted healing, formed in the wound. Even MRSA infections improved with maggot therapy. Before this approach can become widespread, more rigorous studies will be needed. This unusual approach seems to be a rediscovery of an ancient healing tradition.

[Interscience Conference on Anti-Microbial Agents and Chemotherapy, Sept. 19, 2011]

Rate this article
star-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-empty
0- 0 ratings
About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
Tired of the ads on our website?

Now you can browse our website completely ad-free for just $5 / month. Stay up to date on breaking health news and support our work without the distraction of advertisements.

Browse our website ad-free
Join over 150,000 Subscribers at The People's Pharmacy

We're empowering you to make wise decisions about your own health, by providing you with essential health information about both medical and alternative treatment options.