Is the “breast larvae” image real? Fact Check

The image below has been spreading online since 2003, and over the years has come attached to a number of different messages, descriptions and captions, though most prolifically it is claimed that the image shows a breast larvae infestation.

One of the earliest messages the image came attached to attributed the alleged injury to anthropologist Susan McKinley who, after a trip to South America, suffered a larvae infection that was feeding from the fatty tissue around her breast. Other variants claim this is an injury that can be suffered if females fail to wash their undergarments. The image has also been used in numerous “clickbait” videos. Some examples are below –

After anthropologist Susan McKinley came back home from an expedition in South America, she noticed a very strange rash on her left breast. Nobody knew what it was and she quickly dismissed it believing that the Holes would leave in time. Upon her return she decided to see a doctor after she started developing Intense pains. The doctor, not knowing the exact severity of the disease, gave her Antibiotics and special creams. As time lapsed the pain did not subside and her left breast became more inflamed and started to bleed. She decided to bandage her sores, however as Susans pain grew more intense.
She decided to seek help from a more certified doctor. Dr. Lynch could not diagnose the infection and told Susan to seek the aid of one of his colleagues who specializes in dermatology. Unfortunately, the doctor was on vacation. She waited for another two weeks and finally was able to reach the dermatologist. Sadly, a life changing event was about to unfold during her appointment. To Miss McKinleys surprise, after she removed the bandages, they found Larvae growing and squirming within the pores and sores of her breast. Sometimes these wicked creatures would all together simultaneously move around into different crevices.
What she didnt know was that the holes were in fact, deeper than she had originally thought, for these larvae were feeding off the fat tissue, and even milk canals of her breast.
Please share with as many women and men that you know. Our undergarments are made in different countries all over the world. They sit in boxes and go through many hands and exchanges before we purchase them for ourselves.
Yuk!

98.8% people can’t watch this video for more than 5 seconds!

You Will Not Use Head & Shoulders Shampoo After Watching This Video

ALL , PLEASE WASH ALL BRAS, UNDERWEAR WHEN YOU BUY BEFORE WEARING THEM.
WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT PARASITE IS IN OUR CLOTHES WHEN WE BUY THEM. FORWARD
TO EVERYBODY YOU KNOW. LET ME FORE WARN YOU THIS IS SO SQUIMISH, I FEEL
LIKE SOMETHING IS CRAWLING ALL OVER ME EVEN AS I SEND THIS TO YOU. BE
AWARE. IT IS SO GROTESQUE.PLEASE WASH YOUR UNDERWEAR BEFORE WEARING.
PREFERABLY IN BOILING HOT WATER.
This is not for the weak, I have never seen anything like this.
Read the article first before looking at the picture and film. This
looks horrible. Oh my God!!!!!!!

The image doesn’t depict a genuine injury. Despite the image’s persistence, it is actually a digitally altered creation. It appears that the image has been made by combining the photo of a woman’s breast along with an image of a lotus seed pod, a plant most commonly found in Asia.

You can see such an image of a lotus seed pod below.

Such images that depict these types of injuries often resonate with the viewer, the reason being that they capitalise on a common type of ‘phobia’ known as trypophobia, which is described as a “an aversion to the sight of irregular patterns or clusters of small holes or bumps“. This could potentially be attributed to this fake image’s persistent viral success.

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Similar faked injuries that exploit this type of aversion have also spread in the past, most prolifically the “new killer insect” rumour that depicted fake graphic injuries of a human hand and arm.

Regarding the warning itself about breast infestations, whilst infestations of the breast are indeed possible, they are rare and have no resemblance at all to the photograph depicted.

As such, we can put this image to bed. It’s not real, doesn’t depict a real injury and as such can be dismissed as entirely fake.