Insect Bites On The Beach

[weka]

Both my wife and I enjoy the beach at kao takiab, but last october and this july we return with large itchy bites from what, we dont know.

theyre bigger than mozzie bites and linger for days. If you scratch them too hard they can scab.

Anybody else get these?

Anybody know what causes them?

[simple1]

Most probably sand flies

[weka]

thanks simple1.

yep you're correct I reckon. Nasty little feckers!

[MRGTINGTONG]

I have often been bitten on the beach at hua hin, but no by mossis, im told its sand flies.

If you use citronello oil spray, buy from pharmacy about 120 baht, i find this great and stops any thing

from biting you and it also smells nice, good luck.

[PETERTHEEATER]

Sand flies keep low-down which is why you usually get bitten on the lower limbs. If you lay down on the sand then you can get bitten all over.

As informed, use an insect repellent. If you do get bitten avoid the urge to scratch and apply an antiseptic cream to reduce the chance of infection. I frequently see shorts wearing tourists with calves covered in infected bites.

It is possible that taking an anti-histamine pill such as Claritine may help reduce itching and swelling but get advice from a proper pharmacy with an on-duty pharmacist.

[ItDontMeanAThing]

Insects that bite love me. Except for mosquitos, I have no idea what is doing the biting. That didn't stop me from writing a classification of the resulting bites: http://fourletternerd.wordpress.com/2010/09/07/bug-bites/