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How Maggots Are Used in Medicine

Maggots have been used for hundreds of years to assist in wound care and enhance healing. Today, they are used to treat chronic wounds which do not heal using other measures. Maggot therapy, or maggot debridement, is a prescription treatment that is overseen by your medical team.

  1. How Maggots Are Used

    • Disinfected, medical-grade maggot larvae are applied to the surface of the wound using a special dressing to help prevent the maggots from escaping.

    How Maggot Therapy Works

    • After the maggots have been applied to the wound, their digestive enzymes help to liquefy dead tissue, cleaning the wound.

    Treatment Duration

    • The maggot dressings should be removed every two or three days. In some cases, the wound may be adequately treated with just one two- or three-day treatment. In other instances, the wound may require additional treatment.

    After Maggot Therapy

    • After the maggots have done their job, your doctor will be able to perform the next step. Depending on your specific wound, this may include a skin graft, surgical closing or simply covering the wound.

    Cost Considerations

    • Check your insurance plan to see if maggot therapy is a covered treatment. If it is not, talk to your doctor about reducing the fees.

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