Sand fleas are small dangerous parasites belonging to the genus Tunga penetrans and pose a direct threat to human health.
Sand Flea Description
In size, insects, characterized by a segmented body and an external skeletal system of chitin (what shrimp resemble), reach 1-2 mm and, in the absence of wings, tend to jump very well, sometimes up to 40 cm in height.
Young individuals are characterized by a dark brown shiny body, which is almost impossible to crush with a finger due to the hardness of the shell.
Sand fleas - causative agents of tungiosis
In addition to sucking blood and making bites, these inhabitants of Africa, South America and Southeast Asia are able to penetrate the skin and provoke the emergence of many diseases, one of which is tungia. Most affected by people who rarely wear shoes while relaxing on the beach, and tourists who neglect the safety rules of staying in a foreign country.
The causative agent of the disease is a pregnant female sand flea. Unlike males that simply bite a person, she bites into the skin and presses her feet against the fabric so hard that removing it outward becomes very difficult. Penetrating through the nails of the legs and hands, buttocks, the space between the fingers, the sand flea is attached to the blood vessels, and at this time about two hundred eggs mature in its body.
Consequences of the activity of the southern parasite
This “unauthorized” intervention of the parasite in the established work of the human body causes pain, swelling, intense itching, sometimes lasting several days. During the stay inside, the female increases hundreds of times, reaching the size of a pea, and then (after 5-6 days) shoots ripe eggs from the wound, decreases in size and dies, often without getting outside. Tungisia is treated surgically - by removing the affected area, the study of which can detect a flea and eggs laid by it. The result of a southern disease can be deformation of the fingers, thrombophlebitis, elephantiasis, necrosis, pneumonia.
What is the danger to humans?
While the insect is inside, the tissues around the place of its penetration become inflamed, which causes the process of suppuration. Signs of the disease may not appear immediately, but after 1-2 weeks, as the female grows under the skin. Moreover, sand fleas (photo in the article) are also dangerous for domestic animals (dogs, pigs, goats), causing similar symptoms in the latter. The result of being in the body of a foreign creature becomes a boil that looks like a boil, which after opening turns into an ulcer. If you get into the wound of an infection, there is a risk of developing gangrene or sepsis.
Sand fleas are especially active in the evening and at night, when they go hunting. The preferred habitat is the sands of nearby water bodies. Externally and symptomatically, a flea bite resembles a mosquito and is accompanied by redness of the affected area and itching.
Sand fleas: treatment
As a rule, for flea bites , places with the thinnest skin are chosen: these are the popliteal and axillary hollows, legs (especially the lateral parts of the heels and the upper side of the foot) and the waist. The bite sites are very itchy and itchy, especially causing anxiety at night. The puncture point is most often not visible due to the very small size of the hole and the elastic properties of the skin. Strong pain and the formation of swelling on the skin with a white abscess and a black dot (flea belly through which the parasite breathes and gets rid of waste products) appear in the middle if a female sand flea gets inside. Do not try to independently pull it with a needle, because accidentally crushing the parasite can cause all its contents to enter the blood; it is better to immediately seek help from a doctor who will remove the insect with a sterile needle or tweezers, disinfect and bandage the wound. If you couldn’t protect yourself, and sand fleas attacked a person , how to get rid of such insects?
There is no definite treatment for sand flea bites: it is recommended to use any analgesic cream to relieve itching, and if suspicious swelling appears, which most likely indicates the penetration of the parasite under the skin, you should immediately go to the hospital.
How to protect yourself?
When visiting an exotic country where there is an increased risk of getting to know a sand flea, it is not recommended to walk in areas where there is a high risk of being bitten.
Substantially reduces the risk of getting into the teeth of the parasite wearing socks and closed shoes. Before the trip, you must make the necessary vaccinations and constantly use protective ointments. During excursions to the forest or to the wild beach, you should dress well, preferring a shirt with long sleeves and pants. In order to protect the neck, you should tie a scarf. In the campaign you need to avoid areas with tall grass and go around puddles. It is these sites that love sand fleas.
Photos of the bites of such insects look awesome, because when you look at them, you are horrified: how much harm such a small creature can do to the body! When relaxing on the beach with a bite, you should immediately move to another place well lit by the sun.
Sand fleas prefer to dwell in the shade and do not crawl out of the sun. You should also carefully monitor the hygiene of the whole body, paying particular attention to the legs. After walking, you should definitely take a warm shower.