Things I Wish I Knew Two Days Ago
Sandfiles, more commonly known as 'no-see-ums', bite. In fact, just like the female mosquito, female sandflies require a blood meal before laying their eggs. Those little midges flying around your face are more than just a nuisance; they are potential itchy little red bumps all over your body.
They like to live under moist, dead leaves, and they don't like to venture too far from their chosen breeding ground. If you find yourself in the midst of a cloud of no-see-ums, walk away and eventually they will stop following you.
Sandfly bites are itchier, and they last longer than your average mosquito bite. Too many sandfly bites can cause a fever and rash. Scratching them actually prolongs their irritation. I can personally attest to this. On rare occasions, a whole lot of sandfly bites can cause kidney and/or liver failure and even death. They're what you might call toxic.
Sandflies are responsible for the spread of a disease called Leishmaniasis. It can cause open sores that leave permanent, often disfiguring scars. In its visceral form, leishmaniasis can cause coughing, diarrhea, weight loss, fever and enlargement of the spleen and liver. That form usually kills you if its not treated quickly. Fortunately, it hasn't really made its way to North America yet, although it currently affects about 12 million people in 88 countries.
If this information saves even one person the agonized insanity through which I am traversing right now, than my sufferings will not have been in vain.
Sandflies suck!!
Happy August 10 everyone.
They like to live under moist, dead leaves, and they don't like to venture too far from their chosen breeding ground. If you find yourself in the midst of a cloud of no-see-ums, walk away and eventually they will stop following you.
Sandfly bites are itchier, and they last longer than your average mosquito bite. Too many sandfly bites can cause a fever and rash. Scratching them actually prolongs their irritation. I can personally attest to this. On rare occasions, a whole lot of sandfly bites can cause kidney and/or liver failure and even death. They're what you might call toxic.
Sandflies are responsible for the spread of a disease called Leishmaniasis. It can cause open sores that leave permanent, often disfiguring scars. In its visceral form, leishmaniasis can cause coughing, diarrhea, weight loss, fever and enlargement of the spleen and liver. That form usually kills you if its not treated quickly. Fortunately, it hasn't really made its way to North America yet, although it currently affects about 12 million people in 88 countries.
If this information saves even one person the agonized insanity through which I am traversing right now, than my sufferings will not have been in vain.
Sandflies suck!!
Happy August 10 everyone.
Willowmist
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