You are walking on the beach and having the best time of your life. Suddenly, you feel the bite of a tiny pest, similar to a mosquito. Then, there are itchy and red blisters on your skin.
In the beach area, the sand fleas are the common pests. And the sand flea bite is occasional as they suck this blood for egg production. To deal with the sting of a sand flea bite, you can take the following steps.
For any bite, the classic start means cleaning the area. This is done to wash away the bacteria from the pests. Take lukewarm water and then wash the beach bug bite with soap and water.
While it reduces the risk of infection, it also prepares your skin for further treatment. When you complete the washing, pat the area dry with clean water, and do not rub it, as this can increase irritation.
Now that you have washed and dried, it is time to apply cold pressure to your skin to relieve the sand flea bites. Cold pressure constricts blood vessels to reduce inflation and prevent further swelling.
Use a cold pack of ice wrapped in a cloth and compress for about 10 to 15 min. Its numbing effect demotivates your urge to scratch as it desensitizes the nerve endings.
Apart from other readily available creams, the best way to deal with bed bug bites is with topical lotions like calamine lotion. These have a blend of iron oxide and ferric oxide that is effective in reducing minor skin irritation.
Moreover, these active ingredients can soothe the pain and itching in the skin due to irritation.
If the itching and skin irritation are in the normal range, then it is better to go for a simple and effective remedy. The baking soda paste has anti-inflammatory properties to neutralize skin pH and reduce irritation.
You mix a small amount of baking soda with water to get thick and spread consistently and then apply and cover it for 10 to 15 minutes. Afterwards, rinse it with cool water and repeat it several times a day.
After the baking soda paste, the famous sand bug bite remedy is the aloe vera gel. You can apply the gel for immediate relief from the discomfort. The gel is known to have the properties of aloe vera leaves, which are rich in vitamins and antioxidants.
On the other hand, anti-inflammatory properties help to reduce redness and swelling associated with the bite. The best part is the cooling effect, which gives a pleasant sensation that can alleviate itching.
Apply the aloe vera gel directly, either with your finger or a clean cotton swab. Then, allow the gel to absorb into the skin without rubbing. The gel will now create a protective barrier to lock in moisture and promote healing.
The sand flea bite can cause the itch for a longer time. And the urge to itch and satisfy the sting pain increases. But do not scratch, as it can cause more harm than good.
Scratching can cause more inflammation and swelling. In some cases, it can lead to hyperpigmentation and leave a mark behind. Try your best to control the impulse to scratch the affected area.
In the meantime, you can use honey as another sand flea bites remedy. It has natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can calm itching.
Take a small amount and dab it onto the affected area. Let them stay for 30 min before you rinse them off with water. Apart from sand flea bite relief, it works like a charm for skin moisturizer and supports the healing process.
It might be surprising, but yes, oatmeal can help to provide bug bite relief. The colloidal oatmeal bath can quickly remedy the affected area. You add the colloidal oatmeal to a lukewarm bath and stir to make sure it evenly disperses in the water.
Let it soak, and then take a bath for 20 min to reduce the itch. Its antiinflammatory properties can soothe the skin, and its relaxing treatment can moisturize the skin.
The small slices of cucumber in the area of sand flea bites are refreshing and natural. Cucumber has a high water content and soothing properties, which can reduce itching and inflammation.
Slice a fresh cucumber and place the slices directly on the affected areas for about 15 minutes. The cucumber's coolness will provide immediate relief from discomfort, and its hydrating properties help nourish the skin.
You can use a tea bag to treat the sand flea bite and also take a sip of your favourite green tea. The tannins found in tea have natural anti-inflammatory properties that can help calm irritated skin. Squeeze a tea bag in hot water for a few minutes, then allow it to cool down completely.
Remove the tea bag and gently squeeze out any excess liquid. Place the cooled tea bag directly onto the affected area for about 20 minutes. The coolness of the tea bag will provide immediate relief, and the tannins will work to reduce swelling.
It would help if you dabbed the diluted apple cider vinegar on sand flea bites. Mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water to create a gentle solution. Apply it with a clean cloth and dab it on the affected skin.
Its acetic acid can tackle the swelling and soothe the skin. In addition, the vinegar's astringent nature may help dry out any oozing from the bites. In the initial application, it causes a slight sting, but then it begins the calming effect.
Sand flea bites relief can come from the diluted essential oil. Tree oils like lavender and coconut are known to be perfect for skin itching and inflammation. Take the dilute mixture and gently apply it to the affected area.
Before you perform it in the sand flea bites, do a patch test to make sure you don't have any adverse reactions to the essential oils.
While you are equipped with the sand flea bites remedy. But for the preventive measure, first, you should understand what does the sand flea bite looks like.
They bite humans occasionally and appear as small, red, and raised bumps on the skin. They resemble mosquito bites, but they have distinct characteristics. These bites appear in clusters, mainly on the feet, ankles, and lower legs, which are mainly exposed during walks on sandy beaches.
Moreover, if a female sand flea penetrates the skin, it creates a larger and more painful welt accompanied by additional symptoms such as warmth and tenderness. If scratched excessively, the bites may develop small blisters or crusts, increasing the risk of infection.
The best sand flea bite remedy can be sitting away from them. So how can we avoid them?
Regardless of using the sand flea bite remedy, in some cases, it can get severe. You can notice the severeness through these signs.
Severe Allergic Reaction: If the allergy elevates, you may notice difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat, dizziness, or a rapid heartbeat. Seek immediate medical attention.
Excessive Swelling: If the bite site becomes swollen and feels warm to the touch, it can be a sign of a secondary bacterial infection.
Sand fleas are crustaceans that belong to the family Talitridae order Amphipoda. It grows up to 2 inches long with elongated barrels and a body that looks like a small shrimp. But it lacks a carapace. Apart from that, it has a distinct appearance and physical features that separate it from similar pests.
They are known to jump and hope that justifies their name. They jump less than 20 cm. These abilities help them to escape a predator and move quickly through their sandy environment.
Meanwhile, they also adapt to burrow in the sand. Their forked appendages dig into the sand to hide from predators and find shelter.
As their name suggests, they are found in sandy coastal areas near high tide. They are also found in tropical and subtropical regions.
Besides, the sand fleas are active at night and feed during this time.
The classic signs of sand flea bites are some of the particular symptoms. It occurs if you are exposed to a sandy coastal area, or sometimes your pests might carry these pests.
Sand flea bites can last from an hour to a few weeks, depending on the severity and individual reaction.
Sometimes after the bite, a small and swollen dot appears on the skin. Then itch starts within 10 minutes to a few hours after the bite. Further, the itch can be intense and comparable to 5-10 mosquito bites at once
The bite and lump eventually go away completely after 2-3 weeks. To speed up healing, you should use a sand flea bite remedy.
Sand fleas love to be in the coastal region. But they are also attracted to other things. There are several things like
Beach bugs or sand fleas are found in the high tide areas. In these areas, it is prevalent to find them.
Aside from that, they are found in areas rich in organic matter. This is because they feed on decaying plant matter like seaweed and other organic debris washed up on beaches. Avoiding areas with piles of rotting vegetation can reduce sand flea activity.
On the beach, you might want to walk by pulling your pants a bit up to prevent them from getting wet. But trust me, sand fleas are attracted to exposed skin ins search of sucking blood. Wearing long pants, socks, and shoes when at the beach can help prevent bites.
Sand fleas may be attracted to pets that have been to the beach. They can hide in their long fur and make their way to your home. It is recommended that pets be checked for sand fleas after beach trips.
Similarly, they love the most and remain active in the night. They also tend to be more active in cooler times of day, like mornings, evenings and cloudy days. Avoid the beach during these cooler periods.
Aside from the above-given regio, sand flea bites can happen for this reason. They are attracted to them due to the carbon dioxide we exhale, body heat and natural body smell.
At the same time, they are drawn to sweat as it contains compounds like lactic acid that appeal to them. In addition to that, dark clothing and movement can make humans more noticeable to sand flies.
