Sandflies: Bitten once, scratched twice
This page will offer you a complete summary of everything we have thoroughly researched on sandflies and sandfly bites for you on our mission to not have one more backpacker’s adventure ruined. Sand Flies or Sand Fly are also known as Sand Gnat, Sandflea, No-See-Um, Granny Nipper, Chitra, Punky, Biting Midges or Marumakshika. We call sandflies blood-sucking summer nightmare! This guide will show you how to prevent, to treat and to heal sandfly bites, which can drive you mad and spoil your vacation once they hit.
Sandflies: With this site we have done everything to put together a complete overview on sandfly bites for backpackers, flashpackers and all kinds of travellers around the world. We have experimented with all possible remedies, medicines, lotions, spoken to countless pharmacists, locals and experts and researched even the tiniest information hidden on the internet regarding the cure of sandfly bites and the avoiding of sandflies
Believe us – we have been where you might be right now. Itching, scratching, bleeding and simply becoming desperate. And we want to help you. Stop sandflies now!
🚨 SOS: Sandfly bites quick help 🚨
What are the first steps to take after I got a new sandfly bite?
The first thing you should do after a new sandfly bite is apply heat to the sandfly bite
This will destroy the proteins of the histamine in the salvia of the sandflies, which initially causes the itching
Our top tip to do so is the “bite away“ bite pen, which heats up to 51°C, and is very safe to use
You can also use a towel and very hot water
But take care not to hurt yourself!!!
Can I do anything to prevent sandflies from biting?
No, there is nothing you can do or apply on your skin that will 100% prevent sandflys to bite you.
You can apply coconut oil on your skin to make it harder for the sandfly to land on you
Sandflies have also difficulties to bite through the lubricating oil film of the coconut oil.
Use Deet!
Is there anything that will completely stop the itching of sandfly bites?
There are several really good sprays and lotions to put on the bite afterwards
As the itching is caused by the histamine in the salvia of the sandfly you can get anti-histamine-tablets in the pharmacy, which will help you a lot (also they will make you a but tired)
How long do they last?
Every sandfly bite heals differently depending on your sensitivity and on the spot you have been hit
The less you touch (or scratch) the sandfly bite, the quicker it will be healed off
In general it can be said that it take around 3 days until 1,5 weeks
But check out our amazing tips, which will help you getting over the sandfly bite
Are sandfly bites dangerous?
In most of the cases sandfly bites are a real pain in the neck but in some cases there might be possibilities to carry diseases. Plz take a look to WHO
We have put together hygiene tips to be prepared for bites (and other situations) even on the beach here…
Sandflies Countries – Geographical distribution
Sandflies are all over the world: If you love to travel you unfortunately you will meet sandflies e.g. in Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Myanmar, Australia, Singapore, and New Zealand
