Was out on the Mount Bass Fire Tail in the heathland in Royal National Park on Sunday, great day with plenty of birds, including beautiful firetails and brown headed honeyeaters and a chestnut rumped heathwren and all the normal heath birds about. When I got home I noticed the characteristic pink-red dots from fresh sandfly bites. They stayed at that overnight before swelling up the next day. It’s probably about 2-3km from the water and any mangroves and the wind in the wrong direction so thought it a bit unusual, assume they are breeding there as the area is very wet and muddy in spots. So watch out if you are birding the area, the banks of the Hacking at Audley are also bad for them at dusk and dawn. On that note has anyone come up with a good treatment for them, they seem to stay itchy for ages!
regards,
Chris Ross ===============================
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I got somewhat attacked on my first trip to Cairns, with over 120 bite over my arms. Luckily, I don’t get too itchy with these things and making a concerted effort not to scratch as they flare up means they itch and swell less later on. I’ve still got small white patches on my arms from the bites, though. Cheers,
Tony
Sorry, I meant Analgesic, not Anesthetic Roger.
Hi Chris,
I have previously had great success with anti-histamine tablets. I can’t use them now as they interfere with my blood pressure medication.
My wife was badly bitten by midges at the Glasshouse Mountains in the middle of the day. Perhaps that’s what got you. The results are very similar to sandlflies. We went to a pharmacy and they recommended the anti-histamine tablets and a topical anesthetic/antiseptic cream (Paraderm).
Consult your pharmacist.
Regards
Roger
Elizabeth, suffering from diabetes, you need to be really careful. As a guide my clients are mainly senior Americans. We always cover up when spending time in mangroves. And you could try spreading baby oil on any exposed parts. If you don’t like that idea then do what my semi-traditional relatives do – cover those exposed parts with mud. It also makes for a great talking point. Denise
I usually don’t feel Sandfly bites until hours later. Then the itching is unbearable and I often end up with sores that take weeks to heal- sometimes leading to scarring.
Ti tree ointment can help relieve the itch and heal quicker.
A doctor in Cooktown last year suggested digging fingernails into two sides of the bite might also help. A couple of bites threatened to turn into tropical ulcers and being diabetic healing takes longer than healthier people. Elizabeth Shaw Phillip Island Victoria
carry a little bottle of vinegar with you. Apply liberally as soon as you are bitten.
Regards Shirley