Using maggots to help heal ulcers does not sound like the most modern method but a BMJ paper has found that it can be effective. Researchers studied the effects of maggots and Hydrogel on healing ulcers. They found that there was no difference between using maggots or Hydrogel on the healing time for ulcers, but maggot therapy did reduce the time to debridement. However using maggots did also increase ulcer pain.
BMJ in the news:
- Can maggots be medicinal for leg ulcers? – Guardian, UK
- Maggots as good as regular leg ulcer treatment – The Associated Press, UK
- When it comes to wound healing, the maggot cleans up – The Times, UK
- Hospital death data ‘misleading’ – BBC News, UK
- New diabetes score to help identify high-risk patients – Nursing in Practice, UK
- Awareness: Calculator Gives Risk of Type 2 Diabetes – New York Times, US
- Google sponsored links ‘contain worrying medical claims’ – The Telegraph, UK
- No risk from eating during labour – BBC News, UK
BMJ in blogs:
- Itv News | Maggots as good as regular leg ulcer treatment
- Maggot therapy similar to standard care for leg ulcers
- Maggot therapy and standard treatment have equal benefits for leg
- Treating Leg Ulcers with Flesh Eating Maggots Cleaned Wound Faster
- Maggots ‘clean ulcers’ quickly – By NHS Choices
- Skip the Maggots, Doc: Study Shows They’re Not Better for Wound
- User Education Resources for Librarians
- Eating at birth, the BMJ ok! | Homebirth: Midwife Mutiny in South
- Eating During Childbirth? Yes you CAN, Says BMJ! – Unnecesarean
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Juliet Walker is the Editorial Intern, BMJ