How does the protein in black flies' saliva help close wounds?

[Ivan Seeking]

Protein in black flies' saliva helps close wounds

American researchers have patented the use of fly spit to speed healing.

The researchers, from Auburn University in Alabama, were conducting research on black flies when they discovered a protein in their saliva that speeds the healing of surgical incisions. [continued]

http://www.betterhumans.com/News/news.aspx?articleID=2005-01-21-4

 

[Moonbear]

Interesting. Though, I have to wonder...if fly spit does such a good job of healing wounds, why don't fly bites heal quickly?!

 

[Ivan Seeking]

They take big bites?

 

[matthyaouw]

By fly bites, do you mean the raised itchy bumps like you get? I think they form as an immune response to the protein, rather than as a direct result of the bite. A bump such as that could persist long after the actual wound is sealed.

 

[DocToxyn]

They take big bites?

My experience with these nasty guys is one of coming away with much worse injuries from them as compared to mosquitos. Black flies, and many other biting flies, use more of a laceration method than the syringe-like mosquitos. Here's a site that does a much better job of describing it than I.
http://www.roberth.u-net.com/blackflies.htm

From above site:

Feeding takes around 4-5 minutes and involves the labrum anchoring onto the skin with the use of paired hooks. The two maxillae are alternatively pushed downwards by flexing the occipital sections. The mandibles then exhibit a rapid slicing or scissor like motion. The mandibles and maxillae which actually penetrate the skin are compressed between the forwardly curving labrum and the backward pointing hypopharynx. Cutting into the skin occurs until a capillary is reached. The fly then feeds on the resulting blood pool.

The resulting swelling and itch is a histamine-based reaction to proteins in saliva- anticoagulants, etc., potentially exacerbated by the fact that the wound heals faster and doesn't flush out the affected area.