'The Pitt' used real maggots for cast scene, and none were 'injured'

Warning: This story contains spoiler information about "The Pitt," Episode 2.

ER patient Troy Digby (Charles Baker) is the unwitting carrier for one of the more stomach-turning revelations in Episode 2 of HBO Max's "The Pitt." (now streaming).

The unhoused patient has his soiled arm cast cracked open for removal by Dr. Samira Mohan (Supriya Ganesh) to reveal a maggot infestation on his arm.

Nursing student Emma Nolan (Laëtitia Hollard) is visibly shocked by the sight of the squirming critters on the bloodied flesh. Charge nurse Dana Evans (Katherine LaNasa) keeps her cool.

“Oh I see you’ve brought some friends," Dana says, adding to Emma, “bet you never saw that in nursing school."

Here's what to know about "The Pitt" scene:

Real maggots were used — and treated well on 'The Pitt' set

Show creator and executive producer R. Scott Gemmill says the scene reflects ER reality.

"Some of the things that come through the ER are pretty disturbing, and that's just the least of them," he tells USA TODAY. "There are some things you can't truly capture without olfactory elements."

Real maggots were used during shooting, and the worm-like creatures were treated very well on the set.

"No maggots were lost, hurt, injured or even teased," says Gemmill.

"The Pitt" team worked with "a maggot wrangler" who brought the maggots and oversaw the operation. There were several varieties, including already-deceased "freeze-dried maggots."

'"Among the real live maggots, there were two varieties. Some of them moved better than others," says Gemmill. "It was one of those days where it was like, 'So this is Hollywood, huh?'"

Certified animal safety representatives from the American Humane Society were on set "to help ensure the maggots were not harmed during filming," the AHS tells USA TODAY over e-mail. This was needed for "The Pitt" to receive its No Animals Were Harmed status.

The actor never came into contact with the maggots

Digby is portrayed by actor Baker, who is best known for his role as meth distributor "Skinny Pete" on AMC's "Breaking Bad." Baker never came into contact with the maggots, wearing a bloody prosthetic on his left arm.

"They never touched his skin, only touching the prosthetic," says Gemmill. "And we give a breakdown to let the actor know everything even before the audition, especially because it's a tricky prosthetic that takes a lot of time."

LaNasa actually found the scene 'traumatizing'

Emmy award-winning LaNasa appears supremely cool in the scene, which was great acting.

"That was the most disgusting thing that I have ever read in a script," LaNasa tells USA TODAY. "I had something like that happen to me in my real life, and I found it traumatizing."

The actress steeled herself to shoot the scenes.

"I had to really prepare to just look at it like I saw it every day," LaNasa says. "After we were done, I said to the producer, 'Now you need to buy me some diamonds.'"

But LaNasa concurs that the creature actors were treated well. "I'm sure those maggots have a college fund by now," she says.