Horror stories about the sea: sea snakes, fireworms and biting fleas at resorts

Sea fleas rarely bite - and this is a big plus. Relaxing by the water is the most popular summer entertainment. Children love to build sand castles, and adults love to lie relaxed on the warm sand. And who assumes that it is precisely in him that trouble lurks: a small but extremely nasty parasite awaits. His name is the sand flea, whose bites are quite painful.

Description

Few people have heard of sand fleas.
We all sincerely believe that such parasites, swarming in the sand and biting people, are found somewhere abroad, in southern countries. And here we are not mistaken - in the middle latitudes you can rarely find an unpleasant resident in the sand near a lake, but in the south they are often found. Since people began to travel around the world and prefer to vacation somewhere on the shores of the Andmaman Sea to the Black Sea, the risk of meeting a sand flea is growing every year. So residents of middle latitudes are not immune from the bite of the parasite. These are the so-called sand fleas, or amphipods. They belong to the Talitridae family. These fleas are otherwise called beach fleas. Local residents have known about them for a long time, tourists only recently learned about them.

They are very small in size. Their length is only 1-2 mm, but they can jump up to 40 mm. Fleas are dark brown in color and look like shrimp - their body consists of separate segments. They are believed to belong to the same family as cat fleas. Insects do not have wings, but they have long legs.

Few people have heard of sand fleas.

Insect activity occurs in the evening and morning hours - at dawn or sunset. It is at this time that they bite more often.

Description of appearance

Water fleas belong to the order of crustaceans. Small creatures with a body length of no more than 6 mm have an outwardly similar body shape, which is why they received the name fleas.

• The body color is light and transparent. Under a microscope you can clearly see what is happening inside. The body is covered with small scales, which have an interesting structure - they end with two hooks.
• The head is small, barely noticeable. Five pairs of limbs. The rear ones are slightly longer. The crustacean crawls well, clings to algae and plants with its paws, but does not jump, as befits terrestrial fleas.
• One eye. It is extremely mobile and includes several simple eyes. Many people are afraid of water fleas because of the danger of being bitten, but they need to be afraid of something completely different.

Below are water fleas in the photo. The structural features of the body and each of its components can only be seen under a microscope.

On a note!

No less interesting is the internal structure of the crustacean. The kidneys are near the mouth, the brain is near the esophagus, the blood is yellow, the heart is at the end of the body.

Daphnia or water fleas

Interesting facts about sea fleas

1. In total, more than two thousand species of fleas have been described.
2. Entomologist Charles Rothschild collected a collection of fleas. It is kept in a museum in Britain.
3. When a flea hatches from an egg, it immediately begins to look for a host to live on. Usually this is one of the mammals.
4. Fleas have the ability to transmit infectious diseases from one to another.
5. Gammarus goes through 4 stages in life: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.
6. Flea saliva contains substances that can cause severe allergic reactions.
7. The eggs mature in about 7 days.
8. The lifestyle of Gammarus is semi-terrestrial. They spend time in the area near the shore and in the deep sea. At the same time, they always try to get out onto land.
9. Wash your feet after walking on the beach.

Why are they dangerous?

Both males and females bite humans. Males drink blood, leaving behind only the bite site and itching. A female's bite is fraught with more than just irritation. Females use humans as a source of blood necessary for reproduction.

The sea sand flea burrows into the skin and attaches itself to a blood vessel, feeding on the blood it needs to mature its eggs. At the same time, it increases and reaches the size of a pea. As soon as the eggs are ripe, she shoots them out of the wound and dies.

The remains of the female remain in the microscopic wound, which causes suppuration and severe pain. The disease caused by sand fleas in this way is called sarcopsillosis, or tungiasis.

Both males and females bite humans

Sand fleas: why are their bites dangerous?

They are not visible to the naked eye, because... The size of these fleas is only 1 mm. But, despite their tiny size, they poison our lives. When penetrating into a home, the sand flea lives in the carpet or under the sofa.

Males bite unnoticed; the itching from their bites disappears after a couple of days. Fertilized females need more than just human blood.

The bites of females cause a terrible disease - sarcopsillosis.

The sand flea dissolves the skin using enzymes and is absorbed into the blood vessels. Symptoms of the disease do not appear immediately - only when there are about 200 eggs in the body, and the flea itself increases in size.

Typically these insects infect the nails, the area around the fingers, the buttocks and the perineum. The bite looks like swollen redness, and a white abscess with a black dot appears in the middle. These black dots are the end of the flea's belly, through which she breathes and removes waste products.

The period of egg maturation is about a week. Then the females get rid of them by shooting. Its size becomes much smaller, it dies, remaining in the wound. The larvae spread throughout the room. And because of the female’s corpse remaining in the wound, the epithelium rots, the disease progresses, and infection in the form of tetanus or gangrene can occur.

Sarcopsillosis also causes deformation and amputation of fingers, necrosis, thrombophlebitis, elephantiasis and various types of pneumonia.

Benefits from insects

We are familiar with fleas as parasites that cause great trouble for both animals and people. But the sea flea brings quite a lot of benefits to the ecology of beaches. As you know, a large number of microorganisms live on the beach and in coastal waters, some of which are very dangerous to humans. The sea flea in this case is simply irreplaceable and brings great benefits, since it cleanses beach areas of harmful microorganisms. They are natural orderlies who clean and prevent the growth of dangerous microorganisms.

Danger to humans

Despite the enormous benefits for the environment, these parasites, like other fleas, can attack humans in order to satisfy hunger. They do not disdain human blood and therefore often attack vacationers. Both female and male individuals can attack, but the bites differ from each other.

For example, when a male bites, it requires a small amount of blood to saturate, the bite occurs quickly, it is comparable to a mosquito. After a bite, the area is swollen and accompanied by itching. In the case of a female bite, it is compared to a tick attack.

The female needs much more time to saturate; just like a tick, she strongly attaches to the blood vessel and penetrates under the skin. The female needs food to reproduce. In addition, the symptoms are also different; the affected area in the female specimen swells greatly; in the center you can see a black dot, which is the parasite itself. A white abscess also appears and the affected area begins to hurt.

The female continues to suck blood until her offspring mature, and as she satiates, she increases significantly in size. When the eggs mature, she shoots them out over fairly large distances. After the eggs are laid, the female dies without leaving the human body. This leads to serious consequences, since insect remains provoke inflammation and suppuration, which in turn leads to the development of tungiasis and sarcopsillosis. Medical care and proper treatment are necessary, without which gangrene and blood poisoning may develop, which, as is known, lead to the death of a person. Most often, fleas attack the areas of the feet, legs, buttocks and groin.

Flea, but not that one

Fleas are a group of insects that have lost their wings, but have mastered long jumps using their back pair of legs. Most fleas live on mammals that have permanent burrows or in bird nests. Adults bite burrow/nest owners and drink their blood, while larvae find food in the litter. Modern man not only does not suffer from fleas, but, as a rule, has never seen them at all.

Sand flea, or Brazilian ground flea ( Tunga penetrans

, rice.
3), leads a free lifestyle, biting animals passing by, which is unpleasant, but tolerable. But the fertilized female T. penetrans
bites under the skin - after this, the female’s abdomen swells to the size of a pea, from which the eggs fall out as they mature. Itching, scratching, inflammation...

Rice. 3.

Flea
T. penetrans
before and after introduction, from the Brazilian site aneste.org

In the 19th century, the ground flea was brought from South America to Africa, where it immediately felt at home. In the 20th century it reached India. I have not found any reliable evidence of the presence of the ground flea in Southeast Asia. In any case, my friend, who is also a doctor by training, was bitten not by an earthen flea with obvious symptoms when it penetrated, but by someone invisible. Who?

Actions when bitten

If you find a sea flea bite, remember not to scratch the skin, as this leads to infection. You should take some steps and use products that will improve the condition of the affected skin area and relieve symptoms.

These include:

• Shower. The very first thing to do is take a shower. But it is very important to shower without a bathing suit. The fact is that there may be larvae on it, which already at this stage of development need nutrition and cause painful bites. After the attack of the larvae, a rash and irritation appear. It is also necessary to wash your swimsuit/swimming trunks and towels. Before washing, they are wiped with alcohol or vinegar, and then washed using detergent.
• Vinegar, alcohol. These remedies help get rid of unbearable itching. To do this, you need to soak cotton wool in vinegar and apply it to the affected area, then let the product dry on the skin. You can also dilute alcohol with water and apply it to the bite, in this case it helps get rid of toxins.
• Cold compress. You can use ice, which is wrapped in a cloth or towel and applied to the sore spot. Allows you to relieve swelling and get rid of severe pain.
• Calamine lotion. This remedy perfectly relieves itching. This drug is not recommended for use in children under 6 months of age, as well as in pregnant women and during breastfeeding. Hydrocortisone ointment has a similar effect, but for children under 10 years of age it can only be used after consultation with a doctor.
• Soda. This remedy will help get rid of itching and relieve inflammation. You can use soda as a compress; for this, take 3 tablespoons of soda and dilute with 1 spoon of water. A thick paste is applied to the affected area for half an hour. You can also take a bath with baking soda; for this you need to use 1 glass of powder per bath of water. You need to stay in such a bath for at least half an hour. Instead of baking soda, you can add 2 cups of oatmeal to the bath, which has a similar effect. Remember that the water should not be hot, as this can make the situation worse.
• Aloe vera. Preparations with aloe vera have an excellent effect on the skin, relieve inflammation, and reduce irritation.
• Essential oils. Cedarwood, lavender, and tea tree oils are used, which relieve irritation well.
• Anti-inflammatory, non-steroidal drugs. They help relieve pain and inflammation, these include aspirin, ibuprofen and others.

If you detect a bite from a female, be sure to consult a doctor, since it is necessary to remove the parasite in order to prevent complications. In addition, when the symptoms do not go away, and the site of the lesion is disturbing, medical attention will also be required, since this indicates an infection or a possible allergy to the saliva of the parasite, which requires treatment.

Unfortunately, there are cases where, after a bite from this small parasite, sepsis developed, which led to amputation of the fingers. An attack by these fleas cannot be ignored as the consequences can be quite serious and life-threatening. Sometimes symptoms manifest themselves as headaches, nausea, weakness, fever, which in turn, without proper treatment, leads to serious consequences.

Treatment of sea flea bites

To alleviate the condition after a sea flea bite, you can use the following remedies:

1. Do not scratch the bite site, as this can lead to skin infection.
2. Take a shower. After discovering that you have been stung by sea fleas, you must first remove your swimsuit. Then take a shower. Some people make the mistake of showering in their bathing suit. The larvae still remain on it and continue to sting the person. To prevent rashes, the swimsuit is wiped with alcohol or vinegar, then washed with detergent and dried.
3. Using vinegar and alcohol. These products are often used to relieve sea itch. It is necessary to moisten a cotton ball in vinegar and apply it to the sore spot. Do not wash off; skin must air dry. Taking a vinegar bath will also help. Alcohol diluted with water will help neutralize toxins.
4. Using cold compresses. Several ice cubes are wrapped in a towel and applied to the affected areas. This procedure is performed until the symptoms subside. It is also possible to wet a washcloth in cold water and apply it to sore spots.
5. Apply calamine lotion. It will help reduce itching sensations. A small amount of lotion is applied to the affected area with gentle movements. It is necessary to consult a doctor before applying this lotion if it is planned to be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding, as well as for children under six months. It is also possible to use hydrocortisone ointment to relieve itching. It is used with caution in children under 10 years of age.
6. Taking a bath. To relieve redness and reduce itching, you can take a bath with baking soda. To do this, pour one glass of soda into a bath of warm water and spend in it from half an hour to one hour. You can mix 3 parts baking soda with one part water and stir them to form a thick paste. It is applied to the affected area and left on it for 30 minutes. Then the soda is washed off. It is also possible to take an oatmeal bath. Oatmeal contains antioxidants that will soothe your skin. To prepare such a bath, you will need to pour two glasses of oatmeal into a bath of warm water. In order not to aggravate the situation, you should not make the water in the bath hot.
7. Application of preparations with aloe vera. Aloe is used to treat many skin diseases. It will soften the skin and reduce irritation and itching.
8. Use of essential oil. Oils such as tea tree, cedar oil, and lavender oil will relieve irritation. The oil is applied directly to the skin. To prevent irritation from the oil, it is mixed with a carrier oil.
9. Use of non-steroidal and anti-inflammatory drugs. For example, ibuprofen, aspirin. They will relieve inflammation and discomfort.

It is necessary to seek medical help if the bite site looks like a small mound with a dark center. The doctor must remove the parasite that has penetrated the skin. You should also consult a doctor if your condition worsens after applying calamine lotion or hydrocortisone ointment. Perhaps there is an infection in the wound or there is an allergy to the flea saliva. Your doctor may prescribe an antihistamine ointment. She will calm down the irritation.

Possible consequences of a bite

If you do not take any measures after being bitten by crustacean parasites and constantly scratch the bite site, the consequences can become very unpleasant. There are cases when, after being bitten by a sea flea, the victim developed sepsis and his toes were amputated. It is important to know that you should not settle on the sea next to sand where there are algae. Algae are the favorite habitat of sea fleas.

In addition to itching and discomfort after a sea flea bite, the following symptoms may be present in particularly severe cases: fever, chills, nausea, headaches, red eyes.

Habitat, appearance, lifestyle and method of reproduction

The process of reproduction of the penetrating flea
The parasite was initially described in Brazil almost immediately after Columbus's voyage.

Interesting!

The first bites were recorded on Christopher Columbus's caravel "Santa Maria".

According to the place of the first description, the insect was called Brazilian. With ships, the parasite gradually spread throughout all tropical countries and today is found in Africa, India, and Thailand. Sand fleas are common in Vietnam. These insects today can be found wherever there are suitable climatic conditions for them.

Appearance

A very small parasite, whose closest European relatives are rat fleas. Unlike “native” ectoparasites, the sand flea has very long hind legs and a short body. Below is a comparison photo of a cat flea (left) and a piercing Brazilian flea (right).

How to prevent parasite bites

Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely exclude the possibility that you will be bitten by a sea flea, but it is quite possible to reduce the chances to a minimum.

To do this you need:

• Remember that insects are most active in the morning and when the sun sets, so at this time walks on the beach should be carried out only in shoes, do not sit down or lie down on the sand with your naked body.
• Avoid areas on the beach where there are algae, such areas are the habitat of parasites and there they are most concentrated.
• When you sunbathe you need to use a sun lounger.
• On the beach, wear only beach shoes.
• Use special insect repellent sprays.
• Visit only beaches that are intended for vacationers.
• Check your body regularly.

Description of the sand flea

Please note! Due to its critically small size, the sand flea cannot be seen with the naked eye.

You need to know the “enemy in person” in order to recognize the danger in time. That is why we present photographs not only of the blood-sucking animal itself, but also photographs of its bites.

Upon closer inspection, you will notice how much the sand flea resembles a rat flea. The tiny flattened body consists of three parts: head, abdomen and chest. The parasite has six limbs. It's amazing that, despite their small size, these babies are able to jump to a height of up to 50 cm from the surface. All this is thanks to the good development of the hind legs. The sand flea's body is covered with hard hairs and bristles and is dark or black in color. Fleas hunt at night, when most potential victims are asleep. These are the hours when they are most active.

How to get rid of a rash quickly - effective remedies

Although sea flea bites are harmless and heal within a week in most cases, the rash and itching are very uncomfortable.

The home remedies for sea rash listed below will help relieve you from the discomfort of itching and other symptoms, speeding up the healing process.

Do not rub or scratch the skin

This is not the way to get rid of a rash, no doubt. Scratching or rubbing the affected area will only make the condition worse.

The urge to scratch itchy areas can be overwhelming, but restrain yourself from doing so. If you use a towel to dry yourself after a shower, gently pat your skin rather than rubbing it across the surface.

Take a shower

Doctors recommend removing your swimsuit or wetsuit as soon as you realize you have been stung by sea lice before showering with fresh water and soap.

Taking a shower will help relieve skin irritation. One mistake people often make is washing while still wearing a soiled swimsuit. This causes the larvae to become trapped in the fabric of your suit and sting.

To prevent recurrence of the rash and other symptoms, wipe down swimming or diving suits with vinegar or rubbing alcohol, then wash them with detergent, then dry them. Air drying is often not sufficient to kill digitalis jellyfish larvae and other parasites. In cases of severe rash, it is best to change your swimsuit.

Apply oatmeal

Oatmeal has soothing properties, making it one of the most effective home remedies for water flea rash.

Getting rid of rashes with oatmeal is quite simple:

• In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons oatmeal with ¼ cup water.
• Heat the mixture for 5-10 minutes to soften the oats.

• Gently apply the prepared oatmeal to the affected areas of the skin.

• Repeat this home treatment several times a day to speed up healing.

Bathing with a colloidal oatmeal product such as Aveeno Soothing Bath is also beneficial.

Rub in calamine lotion

Calamine lotion helps stop itching and reduce rashes. Available without a prescription at most pharmacies, Calamine Lotion is especially recommended for children, according to the Department of Health.

Use vinegar or wipe with alcohol

Vinegar and rubbing alcohol have long been used to relieve sea rashes. This not only helps kill the maggots that cling to the skin, but also soothes the itching.

• For vinegar, apply a cotton ball that has been soaked in diluted white vinegar to the stung areas of the skin. Do not rinse; Allow the leather to air dry.
• Bathing in a vinegar bath also helps.
• As for rubbing alcohol, it helps neutralize toxins remaining on the skin. Apply it diluted with a cotton ball.

Use the porridge

According to Sarah Buchanan, a writer for the Daily Star, applying cooked porridge to affected areas of the skin helps soothe it and relieve rashes and itching.

Take antihistamines

Antihistamines help get rid of the rash. They block the action of histamine and stop the urge to scratch the affected area. Among the most common antihistamines are:

• diphenhydramine;
• chlorpheniramine;
• loratadine (Claritin).

However, antihistamines should not be used in children without a doctor's approval.

Hydrocortisone cream

Application of 1% hydrocortisone cream on the affected areas of the skin, 2-3 times a day, 1 - 2 weeks, helps get rid of the rash. This reduces itching and the discomfort associated with it.

However, hydrocortisone creams should not be used on the vaginal or rectal areas for children under 12 years of age. Should not be used at all on children under 2 years of age.

Ice packs, cold compresses

Ice helps relieve pain associated with sea rash.

• Wrap a few ice cubes in a clean towel, then apply it to the problem areas. Repeat the procedure regularly until the rash and other symptoms disappear.
• You can also soak a washcloth in cold water and squeeze out the excess water. Then, apply it to the affected area several times a day to relieve symptoms.

Apply special gel

There is a product called Tender Jellyfish Sting Relief Gel. With ammonia as the active ingredient, this product is designed to relieve the pain and itching associated with sea flea rashes.

According to the manufacturer, this sting gel is suitable for treating irritation caused by poisonous plants such as poison ivy.

Take your medicine

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). For example, ibuprofen and aspirin are useful for relieving inflammation (swelling) and discomfort.

Aspirin should not be given to children under 16 years of age to avoid putting them at risk of a rare condition known as Rice syndrome.

You should consult a dermatologist if none of the methods help relieve symptoms. You may be developing a secondary bacterial infection or a very severe allergy.

Treatment for head lice may include the use of prescription corticosteroid creams along with other medications such as antihistamines, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, and others.

Pharmaceutical preparations to relieve itching and swelling

Among the wide variety of pharmaceutical ointments that eliminate itching and swelling after insect bites, you can choose a drug for both adults and children. Before applying the product, you should carefully study the manufacturer's recommendations. Ignoring them may make the problem worse. The table provides a description of some of the most effective antipruritic and decongestant drugs in ointment or gel form:

Homemade products according to folk recipes

If these blood-sucking insects have bitten you at home, it is possible to cope with the consequences of their bites with the help of folk remedies. Their only drawback is the need for self-preparation, which is why most people prefer to use pharmaceutical preparations. To treat itching and swelling, medicinal plants and ingredients that can be found in any kitchen are commonly used. Information on how to prepare the most effective folk remedies and how to treat them correctly is presented in the table:

Treatment for flea bites

Treatment of flea bites is aimed at alleviating the condition of the victim. To relieve itching and swelling, you need to anoint the affected skin with antipruritic and decongestant ointment. For this purpose, you can use ready-made or self-prepared products. If an allergy-prone person who has been attacked by fleas does not show signs of an allergic reaction, he should in any case be given an antihistamine. Suprastin, Zodak, Claritin and other similar products will help prevent the development of allergies and prevent the worsening of its symptoms.

Daphnia allergy

The bodies of water fleas are used to make food for aquarium inhabitants. They are dried and turned into powder. This product is the strongest allergen for more than half of the population of our planet.

Allergy to water fleas

When the slightest particles of dust enter the respiratory system, an allergic reaction occurs:

• lacrimation;
• redness of the eyes;
• sneezing;
• dry cough;
• runny nose;
• conjunctivitis;
• breathing problems;
• asthma attacks.

Subsequently, the presence of an allergen in the blood leads to external manifestations of an allergic reaction. Skin rashes appear, which are accompanied by severe itching, burning, and discomfort. In the absence of qualified assistance, the situation can become more complicated.

Allergies to water fleas are treated with antihistamines and external agents. The duration of therapy is determined by the doctor, based on the complexity of the situation.