Many sailors venture into tropical climates and, if they do so, they will most likely encounter the creepiest of sand creatures, the sand flea.    On my visit to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, I became a victim, and the sand fleas had party on my ankles and lower legs.  Here are some tips on how to prevent the bites and what to do if you become a victim.

What Are Sand Fleas:

The sand flea is a very nasty insect which is difficult to see, as it is only 1/8 of an inch in size but they can jump up to two feet high.  They are also called "no-see-ums" and other names.  Only the female sand flea will attack mammals/humans, i.e., sup on their blood to feed its evil diet of protein for egg laying purposes.

Cute isn't she?  Looks like a small shrimp when magnified.

Here is what bites look like:

What Happens:

A sand flea bite is most likely to occur at dawn or in the evening and night time hours on the beach or other sandy areas that are near water. Wetlands, swamplands, creeks, and lakebeds are other areas where sand fleas can be found. Sand fleas generally stay close to their breeding ground. They never wander more than 350 feet or about 100 meters from their breeding area.

The fleas will jump onto the feet, ankles, legs, and then bite. They are very persistent and quite annoying. Because of their small size, a sand flea bite occurs before individuals even know any sand fleas were in the area. Like a mosquito, a sand flea bites to suck blood. It is the female sand fly that bites. It does this in order to get the protein from the blood that is necessary for its egg laying. The sand flea bite involves the injection of saliva to thin the blood, making it easier for the flea to take blood from its victim. This same saliva triggers the bodys immune system to react.

Despite its size, the bite from a sand flea is quite painful. In fact, most of the time the bite is more painful than one from a typically larger mosquito. In addition to pain, the bite causes a large welt or rashes on the skin that can persist for several days. A fever may also occur. The welts or hives produced from bites are very itchy. Scratching the bitten areas should be avoided in order to prevent the development of an infection. Scratching will also prolong the symptoms of swelling, itch, and skin redness.

Treatment to Minimize Symptons:

Area should be cleaned frequently with antiseptic soaps and cold water (no warm or hot water).  Application of ice packs at the inflamed area for 3-4 times a day will help in reducing swelling and inflammation.