Health

"Essence of Maggot" Ointment to Heal Wounds Faster?

by Barbara McPherson | June 5, 2009 at 09:41 am

1385 views | 62 Recommendations | 4 comments

Caregivers have long observed that maggots infesting a wound actually promote healing while reducing the chances of infection. Many hospitals now breed maggots expressly for this purpose. While for many, this therapy is stomach churning, it has proved to be effective.
There were many theories as to why the maggots proved to be so effective in speeding healing, now researchers working at the University of Nottingham School of Pharmacy have answered the question. They have isolated an enzyme produced by the maggots that helps remove decaying tissue(which the maggots eat) and preventing the establishment of bacteria infections.

Today hospitals around the world breed selected fly larvae in sterile environments. These "medical maggots" are applied directly to wounds such as ulcers and burns, which are otherwise difficult to heal.

There is no question that the somewhat grim technique works. But how maggot therapy heals has long been a matter of debate.

The secret, according to a new study, is in a fluid secreted by the maggots to help them consume decaying tissue.

We have produced an enzyme from the maggot fluid with the capacity to remove decaying tissue from the wound, giving the underlying tissue a better chance to heal," said David Pritchard, a researcher working on the project at the University of Nottingham School of Pharmacy in the U.K.

0 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

JeffHuang

at 11:44 on June 5th, 2009

ohh man. Im not so sure about Maggot therapy just yet. I dont think i'd enjoy maggots crawling all over my wounds.

Very intersting though.

Amy Judd

at 14:48 on June 5th, 2009

As long as I didn't know I was putting essence of maggot on my skin I might be able to handle this.

Mary Richard

at 15:10 on June 5th, 2009

Sure, get cured physically, and have nightmares of maggots crawling all over you for the rest of you life ...

Phil Rayner (not verified)

at 08:20 on July 8th, 2009

My old granny was a village healer in deepest Essex during the 1920's. I remember vividly her applying maggots to Grandads badly infected ear that he had ripped on some birbed wire. A few days later the infection had cleared. When asked about this, she replied that the use of maggots had been known for generations by country healers and was nothing new.