Medical Maggots
It might sound like something out of the Middle Ages, but it turns out that maggots – yes, icky little fly larvae – are being used to treat hard-to-heal leg ulcers. The maggots feast on the dead tissue surrounding the infection, promoting the growth of healthy cells. And according to University of York researchers, the maggot therapy is as effective as hydrogel dressings, the standard treatment for leg ulcers.
The researchers don’t advocate using maggots in every case, but consider them to be a good alternative when hyrdogel dressings are not available. Meanwhile, they are conducting further research into using them to prepare wounds for surgery.
(Source: Consumer Reports)
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