Can Flies Lay Eggs in Your Skin?
While many flies do not lay eggs on humans, some do, and this is a sign of a parasite infection. Fly eggs can be transmitted by mosquitoes, and once they hatch, they will burrow into human tissue and cause a bump to appear on the skin. In some cases, the bump may also be itchy and painful. This condition is often harmless but if you have symptoms of a fly infestation, you should see a doctor.
Flies can lay hundreds of eggs in a single day, and each one can develop into a full-fledged fly in as little as 12 to 24 hours. These eggs are usually gray in color and four to 7.5 millimeters long. Maggots, which are young flies, will survive for two to three days without food. In some cases, these maggots will grow to be as large as a pea, and you may be able to eat them.
Fly larvae can infect humans by attaching to an open wound or odoriferous discharge. When the larvae hatch, they will feed on the affected tissues. These parasites can cause significant discomfort, and some can be life-threatening. In addition to laying eggs in skin, flies can also infect your clothing, so you should take extra precautions if you are in a tropical environment. You can use insect repellant and window screens to help prevent flies from laying eggs in your skin.
The larvae of these flies will burrow into your skin through an open wound or hair follicle. They will then develop into a cyst or dome-shaped cavity. Their emergence from your skin will be accompanied by itching, a feeling of movement, and a stabbing pain. Most of these symptoms will occur at night.