MyBugBites.com

whats the difference between sand fleas & fleas on animals(my cat never goes outside)

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By rosemary tenti on Aug 18, 2006

My son has fight sand fleas for three weeks, but that not the worst my grandson 1 year old is lunch . They have brought the sand fleas to my home. We both have used bug foggers,lawn sprays and now tried home spray from Ace Hardware. We need help in Michigan.

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By Gail Opperman on Aug 18, 2006

Hi there. My mom and I are also suffering from these horrible bites. Our only relief seems to be washing our feet constantly and putting Aveno anti-itch with hydrocortizone cream on them. We seriously look like we have chicken pox. We to are from Michigan Gail. I had no idea that these bugs existed till today when we finally went to the hospital. All they could say was use calamine spray by band-aid. Although that works to the Aveno seems to work longer. Hope that helps and if you have any ideas to please feel free to share.

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By noelle flaherty on Aug 30, 2006

I got terrible experience with sand flea bites in one of the resorts here in the Philippines, the itchiness lasted for 3 weeks ’till my skin gots scars like chicken pox coz I just can’t help scratching even during night time. Can’t even look at myself in the mirror with the scars in my arms and back it looks so awful. I have to rush to the dermatologist for the treatment. The doctor prescribe lindell lotion and bethametasone lotion and now, I would prefer spending time in other places but not beaches.

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By Irene on Jan 8, 2007

Irene, the bites you refer to in the Philippines are not the same as the “Sand Flea” bites referred to here. Sand Fleas (or no-see-ums, punkies etc.) are part of the Biting Midges (Ceratopogonidae) family whereas the true Sand Fly (Psychodidae) is a different species. The sores you refer to is in fact a decease called cutaneous leischmaniasis (cutaneous as long as it only attacks the skin, but can also develop into visceral leischmaniasis which attacks the kidneys and can be deadly if left untreated). The bites of the Sand Flea (or no-see-um) is nowhere near as bothersome or dangerous although it can be very annoying. In rare cases a large number of Sand Flea bites can be more dangerous but normally only for sensitive persons. The Sand Flea isn’t a real flea but is often referred to by this nickname as it’s almost impossible to see.

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By Erlend on Jun 19, 2007

I moved into a filthy apt about two months ago and for about a month I have been getting these huge bites all over my arms that itch very badly. I do not have them anywhere else on my body, but I seem to wake up with 2 or 3 new ones everyday. I don’t notice any bugs, or feel them and my cat doesn’t even seem to be scratching. All I can do is put calamine lotion on to stop the itch and wait another week until I move out. But I look aweful! Does this sound like sand-flea bites?

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By Kelley on Jul 19, 2007

Kelley,
If you look up sand fleas online, it appears they can not infest your home or pet…If the bites are really that big, it should be your landlord’s responsibility to have the apt checked out. I would double check your cat with a fine tooth comb to see if you can see any fleas that way, especially if it is a dark cat, however the advice I was given on fleas was to put on a pair of white tube socks, pull them all the way up and walk around your apt and if you have fleas you most likely will see them on your socks.

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By Jolene on Aug 6, 2007

After a camping trip to Ft. Robinson in Nebraska almost all of us (a total of 30) ended up with bites all over. Usually started on the arms, backs of arms and backs of legs. We were finally told that they were sand fleas. Everyone has been using various methods of treatment - some successfully, some not. I was one of the first to break out and after a week, they are still very itchy and seem to be spreading. My husband did not break out until a week later, and is covered with them. We have tried mouthwash, vapo-rub, rubbing alcahol, caladryl, soap and water - all temporarily stop the itching, but it soon starts again. Do you agree that this is caused from sand fleas, and what do you recommend for fixing the problem? Do we have an infestation problem? Yikes!! Help!!

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By Jan Strickland on Aug 12, 2007

A friend of mine gave me some cortisone cream that helped slow down the itching. Ultimately, you have to wait it out. It’s interesting that you’re thinking “infestation” - so did I. But I wasn’t and I’m thinking you’re ok, too.

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By My Bug Bites on Aug 13, 2007

I was bitten by these nasty bugs at the Sebastian Inlet in Sebastian, FL. I asked for many remedies from pharmacist. They told me to get benadryl allergy medicine for kids and take 4 tablespoons. I also used Lanacane and hydrocortisone. THey only work temporarily. That’s my best advice. By the way this was my first encounter with the bugs and I’ll never wear shorts again.

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By tasha on Aug 25, 2007

For those of you looking for it, click here for bed bugs information from MyBugBites.com.

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By My Bug Bites on Sep 4, 2007

It is nearly 4 a.m. and I’m awake with a bag of ice on my feet, trying to numb out this terrible itching. I was at the beach last weekend and yesterday broke out with these terrible bites, which my boyfriend diagnosed as coming from sand fleas. The dermatologist prescribed an ointment and antihistamine,but neither is really helping. My feet look like the photo, and I also have random ones here and there on my legs. Torture! Thanks to everyone for these posts.

By the by, my boyfriend is back at the beach this weekend. Not me.

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By Sarah on Sep 8, 2007

I went on a 4 day vacation with 8 of my girlfriends to Puerto Rico. The first day we were all sitting on the beach, and I started getting bit by some little invisible creature. I had to get up and leave. And guess what?? No one else was bitten. I have bites all over me. I seem to have a new bite pop up every day. I was thankful to find that it is sand fleas. At least I hope it is!! Puerto Rico doesn’t have some deadly bug that makes you sick does it???

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By Lori on Oct 9, 2007

I’m sorry you’ve all had to go through this but glad to know I’m not alone! I was in Florida last week and only noticed one bite. When I got home - oy. It doesn’t bother me much during the day but the second I lay down at night my ankles and feet go nuts. New ones still seem to be popping up every day. Scratching the bejeesus out of them and then touching them with a Qtip with tea tree oil has helped some.

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By Kerry Palm on Oct 16, 2007

Wow! hubbie and I were in Jamaica in September having a great time until I started feeliing like I was be bitten by something, quite naturally I thought it was something in the bed, but found out it was sand fleas by one of the staff members. We continue to enjoy our trip and then hubbie started feeling the bites. As many of you have stated, bites dcontinued to pop up days after we left. Hhubbie went to the doctor and received a subacription for an antihsitamine and an ointment and antihistamine for both of us. We returned home on 9/7007 and I sill have marks and am still itching and new bumps. My legs feet and arms look horrible… almost hate that we went to jamaica

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By Gwen on Oct 21, 2007

Man-o-man, I have never before - knock on wood or again, been bitten like this. I was in vero beach, a little south of sebastian inlet and on the last day I was bit and bit that day 10/19 and days latter still itchin big time. this ain’t good - what are these bugs and what danger do they pose. How can they be prevented next time i’m there. Does this ever go away, gee’s I go in these itching jags that wont quit. At least in Michigan you can see the little buggers.
Help.

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By Dave on Oct 22, 2007

gee ive never been bitten like this i have huge red spots on my legs and arms the itchin is another thing. also my kids are coverd in them my 5 year old looks like she has chicken pox is their a prevention for these pest we live in australia near the water ive tryed everythink but no luck still please anybody with a suggestion i would love to hear any kind of suggestion or remeady thanks

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By leeanne on Oct 30, 2007

Sand flea bites can transmit Leischmaniasis. This disease can cause a high and erratic fever, enlarged spleen and skin ulcers. The symptoms may seem like leukemia, lymphoma or impetigo. The skin ulcers can be very disfiguring and difficult to contain. Transmittal of Leischmaniasis by sand fleas is particularly prevalent in Africa and the Mediterranean area and, to a lesser extent, in Mexico and the Southern U.S. States. I had the high fever and enlarged spleen symptoms which were diagnosed initially as lymphoma but all tests were negative for lymphoma or leukemia. I am now convinced that it was Leischmaniasis as a result of sand flea bites when I was working in a hot, sandy, grassy area in west cental Italy in 2001. Since then I have had two short recurrences of the fever, which can be symptomatic of Leischmaniasis.

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By Jim on Oct 30, 2007

i just got back from puerto rico and noticed MORE bug bites!! i even caught 3 of the little buggers. they looked like a black minuscule freckle or something burrowing into my skin. now i’m having tactile hallucinations!!

how could they have endured 2 flights back and still be alive?! how long do they live, if away from sand and water? i have plants in my room, should i get rid of them?

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By sarah on Mar 31, 2008

Im so glad I found this site, I just got back from my honeymoon in Jamaica, started itching 2 days later! I went to the doctor, he was stumped as to what I had. I had already researched my self and came up with sand fleas. My husband and 2 friends were with me all the time and no one but me came back with this ailment. I also swelled up from all the bites…..Its only day 5 of being back and they are still popping up. We had a great time though, loved the weather, water and pool. Did not expect to have this upon my return!!

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By Karin on Apr 3, 2008

i have sand flea bites all over my legs and feet. I was just wondering how long these bites last and do they leave bad scars, if so how can you prevent that from happening

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By evie on Apr 16, 2008

My sand flea bites were from the Florida Keys and, if I recall correctly, the bite marks disappeared after 14 days.

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By My Bug Bites on Apr 20, 2008

I live in Hawaii and surfed most of my life. Only once have I experience what you guys have gone thru. Amazingly I picked up the bites from surfing close to an outlet and not from the sandy beaches. The bites were mostly around my waist line, seems they congregated where my shorts held up. Anyway, I only noticed the itching when I took a hot shower after getting home. The hot shower opened some pores for them buggers to dig deeper! I wiped down the area with alcohol and smoothered with Calamine Lotion which helped me thru the nights. Lasted about a week…

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By Stan on May 11, 2008

we have just moved house in west auz and my younger brother just got bombed with bite we are not sure if these are sand flea bites or not but they have cause him pain and itching consistantly which does fit the sand flea discription. but we can not find anything that soothes the itching for him.

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By NA on May 13, 2008

I live on central west coast of FL, and believe we have either a sand flea or a cat flea problem. My husband has the bites of the East Villager– foot looks exactly the same, but I do not. We both swim at the beach everyday. He has some on tummy and back as well.

FL is notorious for fleas, but I didn’t know there’s a diff. betw. sand fleas and ‘normal’ fleas. At any rate, we might have both. Fleas are on the cats for sure, but in my past, I’d been bitten, and now, I’m very lucky; haven’t gotten one bite.

I attribute this to eating a lot of onions, garlic, and taking 1 Tablespoon Bragg’s Raw apple cider vinegar every morning with a glass of water. We’ve also started taking a B-complex vitamin, as fleas don’t like it.

As for the cats, we’re using Critter Oil which is made by holistic folks here in FL (highly diluted on them, and full strength w/ borax and salt and baking soda on carpets). Brewer’s yeast in their wet food and sprinkled and rubbed in on their fur. The cats have been ~noticeably~ happier with less scratching. We also flea comb them once a day, and I’m seeing decreasing numbers of fleas on them.

I plan to make a rosemary leaf + peppermint tea leave infusion by boiling some water, adding the herbs, turning off burner, and letting that stand overnight. Then putting the solution on the cat’s ‘hotspots’ where they have itchiness and scabs. I could also rinse them with it. Rosemary is good for the hair and skin– soothing properties. Peppermint leaves are a repellant. I HATE CHEMICALS, so I will not subject my babies to Frontline, Advantage, etc. It takes time, persistence, and patience, but I have seen great results so far, so I plan to keep it up. We bathe them once a week first with a bit of dishwashing liquid (kills fleas through dehydrating its exo-skeleton) and then with a repelling, soothing Neem Shampoo.

Good luck to all. It’s worth it to go the extra mile, knowing we’re not using CHEMO-therapy on our cats or in our home. It’s better for us and the environment.

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By NA on May 16, 2008

Does anyone know if Cancun has a lot of problems with sand fleas?

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By Crystal on May 16, 2008

I heard that bounce sheets that you put in your dryer to make your clothes smell good work well to keep bugs from biting you. Keep it on your body. I heard it works and after my bug bites from mexico i’d try anything.

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By Laura on May 16, 2008

I had my first sand flea experience in Hawi two weeks ago. I had no idea i had gotten bitten until the next day when i saw my legs. About 30 bites that i could count. They never itched until 11 days later when they became swollen and blotchy. Hydrocortisone seems to work but i have to reapply it every 2hrs it seems. I feel like i havek the chicken pox all over again. Hope they don’t leave scars.

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By araceli on May 18, 2008

Crystal…Yes, Cancun has sand fleas, and bad. I was there (Grand Sunset Pricess Resort) over mother’s day and came back covered with bites. I bought some Caladryl at the Cancun airport pharmacy just tolerate the flight.

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By Kristi on May 29, 2008

These bites are awful. I’m used to ant bites in Georgia, but these are even worse. Deodorant seems to work great for keeping them from itching, and it’s easier to apply on the run than calamine and cortisone.

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By Shirley on Jun 3, 2008

I got bitten on the beach in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (Malaysia), 3 years in a row. You see, I love staying at the Nexus Karambunai resort there. The first time I got bitten, I wasn’t using any bug spray. I fell asleep on the beach for only 30 minutes. By the time I took a warm shower, my back, feet and forearms were dotted all over with pink spots. By night time I was itching all over. When I visited my dermatologist he told me my skin’s sensitive to these bugs hence the slow recovery. He gave me 2% hydrocortisone ointment. It took me 3 months to recover - the spots reduced to a pale beige spot but the skin’s noticeably scarred.

The following year, I used bug spray (Mosi-Guard) before I went on the beach. But I realize as soon as there’s perspiration or your skin gets wet, those areas will get bitten. But I had my hydrocortisone cream with me at the time so I had less than 10 bites and was cured again, in about 1-2 months.

This year, I was on the beach for 3 days in a row with the same ammo and I came back with just 3 bites. But of course, it’s slowly healing since my skin’s crappy But you know what? My dermatologist said some folks with really bad skin, actually take up to a year to recover. SAD!

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By laurelin on Jun 14, 2008

Just got back from Myrtle Beach at a resort I have stayed at many times. I put on a t-shirt that was in one of the drawers I used and itched all night long. Got up the next morning and there were tiny little white eggs on my red sheets where my back and head were. My husband and I also found adult sand fleas in the bed and on me. I have been deligently washing and sprinkling everything with 7 dust, even myself. I believe I have killed the adults, but the eggs are hatching…IN MY HEAD! I have many bites on my head, shoulders, back and bikini area. The picture of the foot looks exactly like the bites on my body. I thought that I had it all under control, but was just bitten 3 times in a row on my hip, but did not find the culprit.

The resort that I stayed at says they have never heard of sand fleas before and her research showed they were an inch long. I asked if they clean out the drawers before the next guest uses the room and she replied NO. I think it is a good idea to wipe everything down before you put your clothes in the drawers provided or you might end up like me. I don’t know what to expect or much about these sand fleas, but I think I am about to become and expert.

I have been using benadryl gel on my bites to keep the itching down. I covered my head and bedding with seven dust and let it sit. Hopefully, I will be getting some relief soon! My children and my sister’s family have not had any problems.

I read that they like pale, thin skined people…I fit that bill

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By Robin on Jun 17, 2008

Well the buggers are in North Carolina too on Kure beach just outside of Wilmington. Whenever I was outside in the evening and early morning especially I could feel them biting me and it was annoying of course, but nothing more. I returned home to Phoenix and all was well and exactly one week after the long night I spent outside, My legs, arms, upper back, ankles and feet are covered in the little red welts like in the picture at the top of this page. And man do I itch! Horrendously!!! My dad and his wife are covered in them too.They broke out almost immediately though. At first we thought they were chiggers, and tried smothering the bites in clear nail polish. After doing more research we found that the symptoms are more like sand fleas and for some people, it can take a whole week for them to manifest and turn into the ugly red bumps. I pray they go away quickly and that I do not scratch myself a bunch of scars that will last a lifetime. Pretty memorable event for my first trip to the Atlantic Ocean. Never had this problem on the Pacific coast…strange!

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By Christy on Jun 25, 2008

I’m glad I found this site….unbelieveable…Anyways, I live in San Francisco and went into my background to pull some weeds. At the same time, I noticed a big mound of sand that a gopher had dug up close to the side of the house. As you might guess, instead of leaving it alone until the winter rains, I used my right foot and shovled the sand back in the hole. Big mistake!!!! i probably wasn’t there more than 5 minutes but I eventually paid the price. The next day I found about 6 sand flea bites on my right leg ( the one I used to kick the sand)…the next day later I found another 7 bites…..The crazy thing is that 5 days later I’m still breaking out with more flea bites. Why does it take so long for these bites to break out (manifest) on one’s body…it’s like a delayed reaction…Anyways, I now have a total of 31 bites…from neck, hand, stomach, butt, and legs…this is driving me crazy…don’t scratch and these things will go away without leaving any marks. I’ve always been sensitve to any kind of bug bites since I was a little kid…..by the way, if you’re ever outside dab of little “Flex All” muscle cream around your neck and ears…you’ll never get another mosquito bite again..I inadvertently used this and discovered this while playing night time softball games…

good luck,
Doug

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By Doug on Jun 29, 2008

I hear you all and am scratching anyway, since I get scars one way or the other. Dermotologist - no use, except to rack up bills. Punched four holes in my irritated skin and told me I had insect bites. I never had a bite reaction like this until returning to Florida a year ago. Finally came to the conclusion I was being bitten by sand fleas, and have found real relief from being attacked by using Avon’s Skin So Soft oil. I found this on a blog about the Caribbean, and when I asked the ladies at work, they all knew about its effectiveness to prevent the bites. It must be the oil, not the lotion. I ordered two big bottles and rub it on my feet and up to then knees after a shower and before going to walk the dog. He knows it means we are going out when I do this! I do not get bitten when this is on my legs, which is better than putting insecticide all over yourself. I don’t know anything that stops the burn and itch once bitten, though. I think 1500 mgs of Vit C helped me one night, but I have not repeated this as I ran out….The perscription strength Cortisone does not help - a solution of baking soda and water stops the itch for a while. I wonder what it is that makes for such a big reaction in some and not others?? I do not get these bites at the beach, by the way - I get them in out in the yard - my son’s yard, my yard, and in the last apartment I had, the laundry room - I know what a real flea is - these biting sand fleas I do not see at all. They seem to be worse in the evening. I avoid all these places, unless I am covered in the Skin So Soft oil. Another aside - I am also being bitten by something else, that affects my hands and arms mostly. I believe it is a mite of some sort - not scabies - that gets on my dog, and bites me where I contact him. He is not affected by it, but I get the same awful blisters as the sand flea bites. The second dermotolgist blew this off, too, and wanted to “remove” the bite! What ever, I guess it is not as bad as a plague of locusts.

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By Mary on Jul 4, 2008

I have moved to an area in Australia that has sand fleas, the itch drives me mad, have found out apparently Vitamin B1 works very well. The bottle pharmacist sold us says Betamin. Each tablet contains 100mg Thiamine hydrochloride (vit B1.) People swear by this & have no more trouble after taking it. (You need to take 1 a day & keep taking it while in the sand flea area.)

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By Jenny on Jul 5, 2008

So this is very funny because a few days ago, I took a bit of a nap in Washington Square Park in the Village, and the next day I realized I was COVERED in what I thought to be mosquito bites. I still am not sure if they are fleas or mosquitos but I seem to be discovering 3 or 4 new ones every day. Since clearly there are other people saying the same thing, I have to ask: Are these bites just taking longer to show up, or did I inadvertently take some of these little monsters home? Also a very good remedy that not many people know of for bug bites is meat tenderizer. You sprinkle some in a dish and make a little paste with water and apply it to the bites. Make sure the tenderizer is made with papaya extract though, this is the key ingredient.

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By N on Jul 14, 2008

Hey, they are in alabama, too!!! I,too, have always been highly sensitive to any insect bites. A few days ago I started killing some dog fleas and started getting bites–figured it was just the fleas. Bathed the house dog, used name brand spray on carpet and porch, kept having more bites, but didn’t see the fleas biting me. My daughter started with bites, also. Took dog to vet after flea shampoo bath-she got a new kind of pill and got pills for the 3 outside dogs, more spray for the house,porch, driveway, even my car==so embarrassed over all the bites and itching. Using benadryl tabs, caladryl lotion, lanacaine spray–little relief noted. Pest control man came today to spray house and yard-told him daughter had gotten some little tick looking things off her and actually got one off my ear earlier today–he said they were actually known as no see ums–i read something a little while ago about them being called sand fleas, too. The doctor gave me and my daughter a decadron shot this afternoon and told us to take allegra in the daytime and benadryl at night. I probably have at least 150 bites scattered across my body, and haven’t tried to count my daughter’s. I stopped counting at 79 on my left leg, thigh, and lower left stomach. We have iris and flowers growing out over the driveway and she thinks we’re picking them up there going to and from our cars. I know the itching is HORRIBLE and the places look horrible-I cannot hide the ones around my neck and at the hairline. I’m afraid people will think we’re dirty. By the way, my husband doesn’t have the first bite!! Did anyone have headaches with this, too? We’ve both had a headache all day. I’m praying the medicine will help and we’ll be better in a couple of days-cause i truly can’t even see em!! Thanks for sharing and listening! God Bless each of you that finds this website.

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By Joby on Jul 16, 2008

I went to a volleyball tournament by my house in southern Ontario and the sand had just been freshly raked and woke up the next morning with a big surprise! my entire legs are absolutely covered and I have big clusters on my back as well. I’m just not sure if my bed is infested or if these are the original bites.. and their just going to be very itchy for a while. I feel like their still jumping around and biting me!! Is it normal to be itchy like this even two days after being bitten?? HELP!

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By ls on Jul 19, 2008

Has anyone been to Boot Camp for the Marines in Parris Island? My son has been there for three weeks, and he, along with the other recruits are being welcomed by the Sand Fleas!! Is there anything that the recruits are allowed to receive as treatment while there? As I don’t think parents are allowed to send anything to treat ailments. If I send some of the great remedies, I doubt he would even get them. Any suggestions or insight? Your help is greatly appreciated!

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By C on Jul 22, 2008

How long do sandflea bites stay? Is there any sandflea in texas? How big can sandfleas get? Please emil back with awnsers! Sincerely, Sarah

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By sarah on Jul 22, 2008

I got them in Gulf Shores Ala. I think it was from some sea weed that washed up on me when a wave sent water up high on the shore where I was sitting. Anyway, the bites look like the picture and they are on my ankles, back of my legs and where I sit!!

I used fingernail polish remover last night because I did not have any vinegar and it stopped the itch for a night. I used vinegar tonight, benadryl cream and cortaid. The itching is much better! I do not know which worked but it is much better.

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By A on Aug 7, 2008

Still covered in bites here in South Florida. Benedryl makes me too sleepy for work. Just wanted to say that a little baking soda and water gives quick, although not very long-lasting relief. I will try the B1 vitamin treatment. I believe that the first few bug bites actually set up a skin reaction that leads to other eruptions more like hives - not actually a bite, but an allergic reaction. If you combine this with hot sun, sun lotion, sweat - you get more of a reaction. I also got an infection of impetigo in one of the bites that I cured with alcohol and triple antibiotic ointment. It was calmed down in three days. My empathy to all of you who read and itch - it is like a match on your skin. My bites last for weeks, and die down and seem to flare up if I get another bite -lending creedence to skin-reaction theory. Think I ‘ll go get some Vit C and Vit B! My Aguillian friend says I need to stop ingesting sugar and eat raw foods instead. M

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By Mary on Aug 7, 2008

Just returned from Jensen Beach Florida and was bitten AGAIN. Every single time I go there I am covered from the waist down with sand flea bites. I didn’t even go ON the beach this time, just to the pool area near it and got numerous bites.

I have been to the beach in NC and SC and even in Texas and never been bitten, but I get covered with bites every time we go to Jensen Beach.

The itching doesn’t stop, but Lanacane does make the bites stop itching for a few hours at a time.

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By Rhonda on Aug 11, 2008