What is Mouth Larvae: Know its causes, symptoms, prevention strategies, and treatment

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Mouth larvae, or oral myiasis, is a rare but concerning condition that can further lead to discomfort and health complications.The infestations typically occur in individuals with poor oral hygiene or compromised health, allowing larvae to feed on the dead tissue.

If left untreated, mouth larvae can cause severe pain, swelling, and tissue damage. Larva is an insect that’s hatched from an egg. Mouth larva usually comes from certain fly species that invade soft tissues inside the oral cavity, such as gums and open wounds. These pests typically infect livestock, other animals, but they can also affect humans in rare cases.

All you need to know about oral myiasis

What causes mouth larvae

Mouth larvae, also known as ‘maggots’, appear as small, worm-like parasites that overrun the oral cavity.

These pests can cause a dangerous infection called oral myiasis. People can get oral myiasis through open wounds, poor oral hygiene, or by eating food containing larvae. Mouth larvae primarily feed on necrotic tissue, blood, and decaying organic matter within the mouth. Why do people get mouth larvaePeople living in tropical and subtropical regions, mostly in areas with poor sanitation, are more prone to this infection, as flies are attracted to open wounds or decaying tissues in the mouth, lay their eggs, which then hatch into larvae.

A few specific reasons can be:

Alcoholism
Dental extraction
Mental illness
Mouth breathing while sleeping
Psychiatric orders
Substance Abuse

Symptoms of mouth larvae include

Bad breath- Foul odour from decaying tissue
Sweeling- Swelling around or in the mouth
Severe pain- Intense pain due to tissue damage and swelling in the affected area
Bleeding- Occasional bleeding from the affected areas
Ulceration- Presence of ulcers and sores in the mouth
Movement sensation- Sensation of throbbing or movements due to larval activity
Necrotic gums- Gums may be decayed or dead due to tissue decay

Early signs of mouth larvae

One of the major signs is consistent itching, discomfort or irritation in the oral cavity
Tiny red or white sores and swelling may appear on the tongue, gums, or inner cheeks
Unusual sensations, like crawling or tickling in mouth
Difficulty in eating or swallowing could suggest the presence of mouth larva
Foul taste or bad odour might result from bacterial activity caused by larva.

Types of mouth larvaeSrewworm Fly LarvaeThe female screwworm fly lays eggs on mucous membranes or wounds, and the larvae burrow into the tissue after hatching. This pest commonly affects livestock and pets and can cause death if wounds are left untreatedBotfly LarvaeBotfly larvae can infect human tissues, including the mouth. They cause painful swellings, irritation and ulcers. These larvae require surgical removal and can result in long-lasting discomfort. Tumbu Fly LarvaeThese larvae can enter the human body through open wounds and can infest the oral cavity. They are often contracted through contact with infected animals or contaminated environments.