I can't afford to take her to the vet. Getting rid of her isn't an option, she is like my child. Who would I be to put her off on someone else risking getting someone else sick? You know what I mean?

I've looked up every freaking parasite article their is out there, even zoonotic's, all of it is so complex it gets a little difficult to keep up with it all.

Out of everything that I've read and I'm pretty sure I've covered almost all parasites and looked at every picture of a parasite, I havent seen anything like this besides something similar to a bot. Its totally gross. There is a ton of flies always around her too and also around her food. I put Diatomaceous earth in her food everyday hoping to shoe the flies away but its not working. I'm going buy fly traps today and starting her on albendazole and ivermectin and will go from there.

I love that baby too much to throw her away. I'd rather try treating her and treating us than get rid of her. I've already considered it and cried about it but there is just no way I could do it. My only option would be putting her to sleep and that cost money and I dont have that. I'm pretty sure between prayer's, google, and this forum, we will find a cure and kill these gross little creepy crawlers lol.

Thanks for your input. If you come across anything else please let me know.

T

Hello,

I hope you have been able to resolve your health issues.

Considering the symptoms you have described and your environment it seems apparent that all of you have a type of myiasis which is caused by a myiasis-disease-causing fly. So, the person that replied it was a "bot" is probably right (a bot is a fly larvae which could look like a caterpillar). Vets treat animals for bot infections, especially vets that treat farm animals, horses, cattle, etc....

Though, the organism in your photo really looks like a type of army worm which is spread by the army worm moth which is light tan or grayish-tan in color. It lays flat against the skin of the host and lays its eggs. It reminds me of a medical report I read not too long ago in which the surgeon removed a "caterpillar-like" organism from under the skin in a women's scalp. She was having awful symptoms for a while, odd.

There are several different types of myiasis and over 60 species of fly's that can infect humans. The forms of cutaneous myiases include:

1. Furuncular myiasis: easy to identify since it is one or few raised lumps with clear fluid coming out, very tender. Can squeeze the organism out after occlusive therapy.

2. Creeping myiasis: the most difficult type of cutaneous myiasis to identify, diagnose and treat since the symptoms can be very subtle and treatment prolonged.

Symptoms: the infected area is often not obvious - very slight to moderate swelling, feeling a lump(s) under the skin; slight tunneling (linear or sanguinous); lesions grow larger, deeper and wider; most of the infection is under the skin and it may, or may not be, tender or painful. Like all myiasis infections, there are the classic symptoms: feeling something moving under the skin and, clear fluid emanations with or without a little blood. Though, unlike the other types of cutaneous myiasis, some larvae causing creeping myiasis do not readily come to the surface after occlusive therapy to be removed by pressure.

3. Wound myiasis - easy to identify, usually can see larvae in the wound.

Another form of myiasis is visceral myiasis. For example, Intestinal myiasis or, another "organ myiasis" (some larvae eventually migrate to the organs, body cavities, etc...) in which case it is called by the name of the infected anatomical area or organ (e.g., ocular myiasis). Sometimes, a person can have both cutaneous and organ infections. For example, the new world army screw worm causes cutaneous myiasis and any type of organ myiasis since it can "screw" deeply into the body if left untreated.

In Washington state we have noticed animals and humans becoming infecting with a type of creeping myiasis. Probably hypodermyiasis. There is definitely new world screw worm going around (in the news) however, we have also seen a very small and light colored fly causing what appears to be creeping myiasis, probably a hypoderma species. They like to get into the hair, eyebrows, nose, neck and upper back. Other areas of the body can become infected.

According to the news and medical/health journals there is a myiasis epidemic going on in the US and several human and animal myiasis-causing flies have been identified, some are:

bot fly
tumbu fly
warble flies - 3-4 different species
new world screw worm
hypodermyiasis
others...


TREATMENT

Treatment for furnuncular myiasis is occlusive therapy with Antibiotic wound treatment.

Treatment for creeping myiasis often includes a three-pronged approach.
Treatment can take days to months depending upon severity.

1. Albendazole, 400 mg, x2/day, 1 - 2 weeks (or longer, depends upon severity). Take a week break. Repeat as needed. Must chew tablet very well and take with a meal having at least 40 grams of fat (about 3 Tablespoons of oil).

2. Ivermectin, 0.2 - 0.3 mg/kg, x2/day, empty stomach, 1 week - months (depending upon severity of infection).

3. Topical treatment:
* Ivermectin cream 1% - 2%, apply twice daily. Or, 15% Thiabendazole cream.
* And/or, Turpentine soakings daily, twice daily or every other day followed by larvae removal. Do this until there are absolutely no more larvae or symptoms remaining.

Note: there are other "turpentine-like" products that will work.
Turpentine is 100% pine gum resin essential oil.
Turpentine forces the larvae to surface by causing anoxia.

4. Sometimes, they will give an Antibiotic for infection if present (Penicillin, Doxycycline, ...).


OTHER TIPS:

1. Take borax and hydrogen peroxide water, 5 days a week (1/4 - 1/2 tsp borax, 1 tsp 3% food grade hydrogen peroxide, 1 quart water - drink throughout the day). This will help to get rid of the bugs. And, most people are deficient in boron, an essential mineral.

2. They hate peppermint - take internal and can apply topically. And, it repels them as does orange oil (and other essential oils). Can take orange oil internally and apply topically.

3. Can take real 100% pine gum Turpentine internally (100% pine gum resin essential oil). Look up regimen.

4. Another "pine" topical is NuStock which contains pine oil (like turpentine), 70%+ sulfur in a petroleum jelly base - it forces larvae to surface.
Often, very deep infections will surface. This can take a while.
This solution has been used for a very long time to remove parasitic infections from the skin of animals and humans, especially myiasis infections.
There are several variations and products containing these ingredients (e.g., NuStock,

5. Some have used permethrin topically, 3 - 6 days. Rub in well. This is toxic.

6. If using Ivermectin topically, can apply diatomaceous hours after applying the ivermectin to assist in removing and drying out the larvae.

THERE ARE OTHER TREATMENTS FOR THIS CONDITION. SEARCH THE WEB.
IF YOU CAN ACTUALLY FIND A DOCTOR OR VET TO FACILITATE TREATMENT ... WOW... YOU ARE LUCKY.


PREVENTION

You must get rid of the flies and army worm bugs in your environment.
Spray or cream yourselves and the dog daily with good repellent.
Treat your home completely - no flies in the house.
Eat lots of garlic daily, dog too. This repels flies from biting you.
Treat the dirt around your home.
Wear clothing that does not leave skin exposed (pants, long sleeve shirts, etc...).
Must launder clothes in such a way as to kill eggs, larvae, etc...
Can iron clothing.
Prophylactic treatment.

NOTE: some believe this is Morgellons.