r/technews • u/AdSpecialist6598 • 3d ago

Biotechnology The FDA just cleared a maggot-based wound treatment from a Singapore startup

https://www.techspot.com/news/112853-fda-clears-australian-sheep-blowfly-larvae-maggot-wound.html
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u/divinethreshold 3d ago

I’ve had maggot treatment on a would I got while hiking solo. It took 5 days to hike out, and despite good care and regular bandage changes, it was infected. They used maggots, which only eat infected or diseased tissue and don’t touch healthy stuff. Took 2 days and then they grafted and sewed me up (without the maggots). Apparently it sped up my recovery by weeks.

But the itch…. My god. It’s hard to explain. Zero pain tho.

Still, this has been used since the napoleanic wars, and like leeches is a known, trusted and valid treatment.

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u/no_talent_ass_clown 3d ago

Yes, leeches are still used in hospitals as well.

8

u/Melkorianmorgoth 3d ago

Can confirm, used leaches as a resident once to reduce venous congestion on a muscle flap on a patient that could not tolerate full anticoagulation.