Man returns from Africa with 20 live maggots under his skin

A Chinese man who spent six months working in Africa brought home some uninvited visitors — 20 live maggots that were found living under his skin.

The worker who has only been identified by his surname Ma, complained of itchy skin when he returned to his homeland and saw a number of local doctors, Apple Daily English reports.

When his itchiness persisted for another two weeks he went to see a dermatologist at the Shenzhen Nanshan Hospital.

The dermatologist examined Ma's puss-filled sores and concluded that maggots had burrowed under the skin of his abdomen and right thigh.

A blood test confirmed his diagnosis and Ma later had surgery to remove 20 live maggots that were found wriggling under his skin.

The intruders were identified as tumbu fly maggots, a type of blowfly whose larvae are known to feed on living human tissue.