Maggots burst out of a woman's leg (photo)

A woman had maggots burst out of her skin in a scene that would fit right into the popular sci-fi film 'Alien'.

Known only by her surname Gu, the 28-year-old was backpacking around South America at the end of March with her friends.

While in a Brazilian rainforest, she was bitten by a 'peanut-sized insect' on her right leg.

After returning home to Shanghai, she noticed the lump left by the bite had split open and was itching intensely.

Gu was horrified when larvae, the 'grub' stage of an insect, burst out from beneath her skin.

Gu, 28, was horrified when larvae burst out of her leg after being bitten by a 'peanut-sized insect' while backpacking with friends in South America. She was likely bitten by a botfly

Gu was most likely bitten by an insect that was carry the eggs of a human botfly, which is scientifically known as Dermatobia hominis.

Initially, the fly left three lumps on her leg and itched for several hours.

Gu was able to complete her trip, visiting Bolivia and other Amazonian countries without further incident until she returned home.

After the sci-fi inspired outburst, Gu's family took her to Longhua Hospital where doctors examined her leg.

They found two more larvae were lying buried beneath the skin, yet to emerge.

These have since been surgically removed.

Gu is stable and recovering well with antibiotics. 

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