There are a few different insects that can lay eggs in or on human skin. The most common include various flies, mosquitoes, fleas, and mites. These insects take advantage of humans as hosts to incubate their eggs before they hatch into larvae. While having an insect lay eggs in your skin may sound unsettling, the good news is that the conditions are not likely to be life-threatening in most cases. Let’s take a closer look at some of the insects that use humans as egg-laying sites and what can be done about them.
Botflies
Botflies are large, hairy flies that typically lay their eggs on blood feeding insects like mosquitoes or ticks. When these insects go to bite a human, the body heat causes the botfly eggs to drop off onto the skin and subsequently hatch. The larvae then burrow into the skin, causing painful swellings known as warbles or furuncles. There are different species of botflies around the world, including:
- Human botfly – Found in Central and South America. The larvae burrow into the skin and develop for 5-10 weeks before dropping to the ground to pupate.
- Torsalo or Dermatobia hominis – Also found in Central and South America with similar habits to the human botfly.
- Gaucha botfly – Seen in Brazil. Forms lesions on the skin that last around 2 months.
- Bengal monitor lizard botfly – Occurs in South Asia. Causes creeping eruptions.
Botflies can be very unpleasant but are rarely life-threatening. Seeking medical care to have the larvae removed is recommended. Covering exposed skin in endemic areas helps reduce risk.
Mango Flies
Mango flies, also known as tumbu flies, are found in many tropical regions of Africa. The female lays eggs on drying clothes, soil contaminated with urine or feces, or directly on the skin. The larvae then burrow into the skin and develop for 8-12 days, causing a painful raised lesion. People may have multiple lesions infested with larvae. These flies are extremely bothersome but not usually dangerous. Careful hygiene and avoiding drying clothes outdoors reduces risk. Medical removal of larvae will provide symptom relief.
Tunga Penetrans Flea
Also called the chigoe flea or jigger flea, this parasite is found in tropical areas of Africa, South America and India. The female burrows into the skin, commonly on the feet, and swells dramatically as it lays hundreds of eggs. This causes a visible black or white nodule in the skin. If left untreated, the infestation can lead to secondary bacterial infections. Extracting the fleas brings rapid relief. Wearing closed toe shoes and avoiding walking barefoot helps prevent infestations.
Mosquitoes
You may be surprised to learn that some species of mosquitoes will occasionally lay eggs directly on a human host. The eggs are deposited singly and scattered across the skin, often going unnoticed. They look like tiny white specks stuck to the skin. The larvae hatch but do not burrow or develop further. Simply washing the eggs off removes them. This egg-laying behavior is rare and sporadic in mosquitoes but has been documented in several species including Aedes vexans, Aedes aegypti, and Culex pipiens.
Scabies Mites
Scabies mites are tiny eight-legged parasites that burrow into the skin and lay eggs. This causes an extremely itchy rash that often spreads across the body. The mites spread quickly under poor hygiene conditions. Treating scabies requires medicated creams or lotions applied across the entire body. Family members and sexual partners often need treatment at the same time to prevent reinfestation.
Humans as Suitable Hosts
Now you may be wondering exactly why various insects choose to use humans as a place to incubate their eggs. There are a few key reasons for this:
- Accessibility – Our bodies provide easy access to the insects.
- Body heat – Human body temperature is ideal for hatching eggs.
- Blood supply – Some insects feed on blood during the larval stage.
- Immobile – Humans don’t groom constantly like other animals, so eggs remain undisturbed.
The insects that use humans to lay their eggs have evolved to take advantage of our physiology and habits. However, they generally don’t cause long-term damage. With the exception of scabies, these infestations are more annoying than dangerous. Proper hygiene, protective clothing, and removal of larvae reduce the risks significantly. Getting travel medical advice when visiting tropical regions can also help identify and prevent any insect egg-laying.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing insects that lay eggs in human skin is done through visual identification and patient history. The doctor will examine any rashes, swellings or markings on the skin to look for signs like:
- Raised lumps or tunnels under skin
- Clusters of small red bumps
- White specks on the skin
- Serpiginous burrow marks
- Slow moving larvae visible under skin
If botfly or mango fly larvae are suspected, the doctor may be able to visualize movement under the skin. A biopsy or skin scraping may be done to confirm the presence of eggs or larvae. Your doctor will also ask about recent travel history, exposure risks, and symptom progression. Imaging tests like CT scans or MRIs are not typically needed for diagnosis.
Treatment
Treatment focuses on removing any insects or larvae and providing relief from symptoms.
Removal of larvae – Botfly and mango fly larvae need to be surgically removed, usually under local anesthetic. An incision is made to gently extract the larvae intact and the wound is cleaned and closed.
Topical medication – Scabies and tungiasis are treated with medicated lotions and creams containing permethrin, ivermectin or benzyl benzoate. Oral ivermectin may also be used.
Antibiotics – If secondary infection develops, antibiotics may be prescribed.
Steroids – Oral steroids help reduce inflammatory reactions associated with migrating larvae.
Over-the-counter medication – Antihistamines and pain medication can help manage itching and discomfort.
Wound care – Keeping infested sites clean while they heal is important to prevent secondary bacterial infection.
With proper treatment, most cases resolve fully within a few weeks. Seeking medical care at the first sign of symptoms provides the best outcomes. Be sure to follow up to confirm the infestation has resolved completely.
Prevention
Avoiding exposure is the best way to prevent insects laying eggs in your skin:
- Use insect repellent if spending time outdoors in endemic areas
- Wear loose, long sleeved clothing for protection
- Avoid walking barefoot outdoors
- Utilize window screens and mosquito nets if accommodations are not well sealed
- Check for ticks after hiking or exposure to vegetation
- Launder and completely dry clothing after travel
- Practice good hygiene with frequent bathing
Being diligent about preventing insect bites and promptly removing any that do occur limits the chances of egg laying. Seeking medical advice prior to travel can also identify risks for the specific area. People living in endemic regions should make insect avoidance part of their daily routine.
Outlook
For most healthy people, having an insect lay eggs in the skin is uncomfortable but not inherently dangerous. With proper treatment the prognosis is excellent. The majority of cases resolve fully without any lasting effects. Severe complications are rare when medical care is readily accessible. Individuals who have trouble accessing medical treatment or live in remote regions may face higher risks and poorer outcomes. Travelers should research health risks and available resources at their destination. Being aware of the insects in the area allows quick identification of any skin infestations for early treatment.
When to Seek Help
You should seek medical advice any time you suspect an insect has laid eggs in or on your skin. Signs to watch for include:
- Small white specks stuck to the skin
- Raised lumps or swellings
- Tunnel like burrow marks
- Intense itching
- Pin, prick or stinging sensation
- Recent travel to tropical regions
Do not try to scrape off or extract any eggs or larvae yourself. Seek professional medical care to have them properly removed and avoid complications. The longer larvae remain under the skin, the greater the risks of bacterial infection developing. Seeking help quickly provides the best chance for minimal symptoms and lasting effects.
FAQs
Can I see the insect eggs on my skin?
Some insect eggs can be visible to the naked eye on close inspection. Botfly and mango fly eggs may look like tiny white or yellowish specks stuck to the skin surface. Mosquito eggs also appear as miniature white ovals but are often not noticed. Scabies eggs require magnification to see.
Do the eggs hatch inside me?
Yes, botfly, mango fly, and scabies eggs do hatch under the skin. The larvae emerge and grow inside the human host. Mosquito eggs hatch at the skin’s surface and the larvae fall off. The larvae do not develop further in humans.
What does it feel like when they lay eggs?
Often the egg laying goes unnoticed. Some people report feeling a mild stinging or pinprick sensation. With botflies, a slight burning may be felt when the larvae burrow into the skin. Scabies produces severe itching.
Can I remove the eggs myself?
No, you should never try to remove insect eggs or larvae on your own. Seeking proper medical treatment is strongly advised. Attempting DIY removal can force larvae deeper into tissues or cause a severe infection.
How do insects choose where to lay eggs on humans?
Flies seek out exposed skin, attracted by warmth, odors and sweat. Mosquitoes may target any bare skin but often pick ankles, arms and neck. Scabies mites prefer finger webs, wrists, elbows, armpits and the waistline. Fleas climb until they find a suitable spot to burrow into.
Are insect eggs harmful to humans?
Beyond the discomfort, pain and itching they cause, insect eggs pose little direct risk in most cases for healthy adults. Very rarely, screw worm fly larvae or severe secondary infections can have serious effects. Prompt medical treatment prevents major complications in infested humans.
How do doctors remove botfly and mango fly larvae?
The larvae are carefully removed intact, often by applying gentle pressure beside the airhole or lightly anesthetizing the larva. A small incision may be made to extract them. The goal is to avoid rupturing the larva within the skin.
Conclusion
Having an insect lay eggs in your skin is certainly an unpleasant experience. However, by understanding which insects exhibit this behavior, seeking prompt medical treatment, and taking preventive measures, the outcome for patients is generally quite positive. Doctors are skilled at removing embedded larvae and healing any resulting wounds. With close follow up to ensure full resolution, most people recover fully without permanent effects. While disconcerting, extra diligence and care allows us to coexist relatively safely with these resourceful insects and their reproductive strategies.