watch out for Nairobi fly, and what to do..
 

Im still writing my trip report, but it's taking a little bit longer than expected ;)

I just wanted to share my experience with the Nairobi fly with you, as a warning and so you'll know what to do ;)

I had a long 'scratch' over the length of my whole under arm. The second day the scratch was getting more red and burning and it got worse by the day. I didn't had a clue what it was, and was quite worried because it was getting worse and worse, and it hurted quite a lot as well (especially in the sun)

When I walked in the office of my sister in law, her colleage immediately recognized it as a 'Nairobi Fly'. Apparently it's a fly that doesn't sting, but when you crush it it releases some kind of toxic that burns the skin.
The remedy was amazingly simple: toothpaste.
After 2 nights of applying toothpaste on my arm it was almost completely gone.

The fly is back in Arusha because of the long wet season:

<i>&quot;they are on the other hand known to usually 'make scene' following extended rain periods, such as during the 1998 El-Nino spell, when the insects made their debut appearance in Arusha town.&quot;</i>

so watch out and bring toothpase with you :P

more info:
http://allafrica.com/stories/200701290873.html

It's not just for dental hygiene anymore.

I've found toothpaste is great for tse-tse fly bites, too, if they are itchy and swollen (as mine were).

Thanks for the tip, Nikao. Looking forward to your report.

Toothpaste also works quite well at drying out zits, just FYI! ;-)

Sharon, I'm glad the teenage set is chiming in. But what does it do for wrinkles?

I don't know about wrinkles, Lynn (someone once told me she used Preparation H for her wrinkles :-/) but toothpaste shure works wonders for marks on the wall!

Also rec. for cleaning diving masks.

Wonder if it will rank up there with duct tape.

Good tip Nikao for bites, btw, thanks

Oh Lynn, you flatterer! ;-)

would it be the paste or gel variety that works so well?

Green gel is perfect for green walls, striped good for striped walls etc. - just watch for ants and other critters and line up the stripes - <font color="blue">BIG DISCLAIMER</font>


I assume that b/c Dennis is asking about the zit factor rather than wrinkles - due to being a lesser age.

Re: inexpensive and best fix for zits -mash up an asprin and mix with a few drops of water - apply and leave on zip (do this when alone) - instant salicytic (sp.) acid

For itchy bites it's paste paste paste, although that may be because paste sticks better.

Seems like you may have solved a mystery. I was in Uganda and was told I had a spider bite but someone mentioned to me about Nairobi flies. Wish I'd read this a couple of months ago and found out about the toothpaste trick!
http://footballcoachingabroad.wordpr...4-spider-bite/