Sand Fleas
 

Would anyone have any good ideas for avoiding sand flea bites or treating them? Last time I was in Tahiti they were driving me crazy and nothing I had seemed to help.

Are you talking fleas or flies? Sand flies are a pest and I don't think there is anything that will get rid of them except burning dry cow dung which used to work when I did that, but I doubt that there will be loads of cow dung around for you to use. The only other thing is getting into an area that has some breeze as then you will not be bitten by them as they tend to be somewhere where there is no wind or is near a muddy inlet. If you are talking about fleas then I can't help you as apart from sea water fleas I have not had experience of them.

Could be they are flies but never saw them. I was told they were fleas that were impossible to see. They just attacked me on my legs and mostly on the back of the lower legs. I also wondered if it might be sun poisoning but don't know if the reaction would be the same.

Louise, they'd have been sand flies and you didn't see them because they're tiny. In fact I believe that in US they're called "no see-ums". They're particularly prevalent here in North Qld at the moment - they seem to appear in the dry season(as opposed to mosquitos which like the wet) late afternoon/early evening. People react differently - I've lived in the tropics 12 years and I'm not completely immune -but my bites disappear in about half an hour, whereas I have friend here from NZ who has a horrible reaction and needs anitihistamine treatment (she says she gets bitten by them in NZ too). Personal insect repellent works, Rid or Bushman are good and if you do get bitten, DON'T scratch. I have heard that a 2week course of Vitamin B before going to tropics helps and beer drinkers don't seem to be badly affected.

Beer - that must be why they never bothered my husband. I try not to scratch but it is enough to drive me up the wall and consequently it is never ending for days. I will try what you suggested. Thank you ;;)

ARGGGHHH.....sand fleas, sand flies, or no seeums.....they're all EVIL!

I run into this alot in various parts of the world...the last time I was in the jungle in Mexico I tried a tip I heard about and took insect spray (anything with DEET) - I sprayed my socks heavily (ick) and the rest of my legs up to my knees and didn't get any bites.

Oh, if only I knew about that before visiting the glow worm caves! :)

Melodie
Certified Aussie Specialist

Actually I agree with the vitamin advice. A friend of mine was literally eaten alive by flies or fleas or some such horrible insect. He was so badly swollen he had to see a doctor. The doctor said that the insect that bit him was drawn to blood that was lacking in vitamin B.. you can bet I've been taking my multi's every since!
T

Hi Thyra and wlz matilda - agree with you both completely - these insect bites can ruin a holiday. Just to follow up, my NZ friend's bite reaction was getting worse and bites were becoming infected, she couldn't take anti-histamines because of a lactose intolerance but she tried everything else and spent a lot of money doing it - after 10 days her holiday was becoming a misery. She came across a local Aboriginal bloke who couldn't help noticing the bites - he immediately asked her if she was eating much fruit. She told him she was - she eats loads of fruit but not much of anything else so he told her just to lay off the fruit for a week - after 3 days reaction to bites had disappeared completely.