Sand Flea Bites

Be careful of sand flea bites, if you are planning to go to a beach in the evening or in the night to enjoy the cool breeze. Sand fleas are small, less than 1/8 of an inch (3 mm) in length. Insects belonging to the family PhlebotomiNae of the order Diptera are considered as sand fleas. Like all aquatic arthropods, sand fleas own a segmented body and an exterior skeleton system made of chitin. This, shrimp-like creature is also known by various names, such as beach fleas and the sand fly. It also sports exotic names such as hop-a-long, biting midge or punky.

Sand Flea Bites On Humans

Although it is small in size, it has acquired a reputation, by outperforming mosquitoes, in delivering nasty bites on the area around the ankles. Sand fleas can jump to at least 40 cm high before delivering the bite. The good news is that there are less chances of you receiving bites on the upper body area, unless you are lying on the beach. Read more on flea bites on humans.

If you are near wetlands, swamplands, creeks, or on the beach where the sea waves have deposited the seaweed, watch out for the high pitched whining sound. Its probable cause may include a swarm of sand fleas buzzing communally. If it is so, the best move you can do, is to widen the distance between you two, to at least 100 meters. Although, seaweed is favorite among sand fleas, they also eat organic and decaying plants. Whenever you receive sand flea bites, it is sure that it is the work of a sand flea female. By doing this, the sand flea females acquires the blood proteins that plays an important role in the laying of the eggs.

Sand Flea Bites Treatment

A simple sand flea bite remedy to minimize effects of sand flea bites is not to scratch the welts caused by it. This will also minimize the risk of infection in the affected area. Your determination in resisting the scratching sand flea bites will help in controlling the sand flea bites symptoms such as swelling which is accompanied by itching and skin redness. Sometimes a sand flea, after biting, burrows itself under the surface of the skin and keeps on sucking blood.

Itching and sand flea bite rash that are caused by sand flea bites can be controlled and reduced with a topical cream containing anti-histamines. To obtain sand flea bite relief, pain killers in the form of ibuprofen gel can be used to sooth the pain caused by sand flea bites. If the pain worsens, it is better to consult your doctor or someone who has specialized in tropical diseases. Read more on how to treat flea bites.

It is a known fact that the sand fleas are carriers of various diseases. After a sand flea bites you may suffer from fever, Leishmaniasis which is a painful and dangerous form of malaria. Sodium stibogluconate is considered to be the most effective treatment in treating leishmaniasis which has the tendency of recurring.

In areas like the Mediterranean, North Africa, The Middle East, South East Asia, Central America and the Caribbean, leishmaniasis which is spread through sand flea bites is well entrenched. At least 12 million people are suffering from this form of malaria. The list of diseases that you could suffer from after a sand flea bite episode, includes Carrions disease, the Pappataci fever. When it comes to sand flea bites, using an insect repellent to keep all these insects at bay, is the best sand flea bite prevention and protection you can offer to yourself.