Sandflies....... details

superted


Joined: 13/08/2009
Posts: 74

Message Posted:
08/10/2009 10:17

Hi All



Does anyone know anything about sandflies?



My girlfriend has been ill for a few days with what we thought to be flu, but speaking with a friend she says the sysmptoms are more sandfly. We originally thought this may be the case as we dont think you can see them. We have just moved into an apartment that has been left empty for at least 18 months and we have been getting bitten all over the place where ever we are in the apartment, especially on the sofa or on the balcony. We thought this was maybe fleas but now think it may be sandflies. Do they linger in furniture etc like fleas? and how do you get rid of them?



Her symptoms are that of flu - swollen glands, bunged up nose, painful sinuses, achy back and shoulders, sharp painful cough, extereme lathargic feeling and generally very drained.



Any help would be greatly appreciated as we have a baby girl too and dont want to put her at risk.



Many thanks in advance



SuperTed

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
08/10/2009 10:36

SuperTed: wouldn't it be a good idea to consult a qualified GP instead of asking health advise from the many unqualified C44 on line GP's..?

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
08/10/2009 10:42

Suoper Ted I agree with DC. Get her to a doctor. She could also be dehydrated. Its sounds like sandfly fever. I hope she recovers soon

philnles


Joined: 11/08/2008
Posts: 413

Message Posted:
08/10/2009 10:59

Sounds like it maybe sandfly fever, We both had it and we suffered flue like symptoms, very sleepy,ache all over,loss of appetite. Ours lasted 10 days, we didn't go to the doctor, but another one of our friends who also had it, did end up on a drip. Not nice at all, but once you've had it there is less chance of getting it again. Probably best to see a doc.



Give your home a good spray with Raid,put up some mossie screens and spray them with Sertex, sandflies are small enough to get through, but Sertex helps keep the little buggers out. Hope your wife feels better soon.

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
08/10/2009 11:06

Excerpt from my posting on 'How to kill Sandflies':



Seriously, try the cockroach spray - sandflies eat normal fly-spray for breakfast before they even eat you!



Spray the wall behind the bed and round all the window and door frames.



If you have flyscreens - spray them, cos the mesh size in TRNC ones let in sandflies 2x2!



Also, buy Vape plug-ins - tabs or fluid - run 24 hours per day initially.



Unfortunately, it rather sounds as if she has 'Sicilian sandfly Fever' - female sandflies can carry Leichmaniasis - you need to seek professional help - both can be serious.



Google 'Sicilian sandfly' and be ready to be appalled!



Ask a pharmacy about anti-histamine gel/cream and tablets.



You need to fumigate this apartment. One DIY method is to burn the Vape mosquito coils - make sure you don't stay inside while doing this!



Blather yourselves with Johnsons 'Off' - or any repellent with at least 15% Deet content.



Sandflies love to live in the back of computer towers

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
08/10/2009 11:26

Ask pharmacy for a small bottle of medical ammonia - mix with a small quantity of Johnsons Baby Oil, this keeps the ammonia in emulsion add a few drops of eucalyptus or tea tree oil. Best to put it in a small (leakproof!) spray bottle.



I have just given you the recipe for the best DIY 'after-bite' treatment. The supermarket bought stuff comes as small 'pencils' - expensive and don't last long. If you're susceptible to sandfly bites - mix your own - we do, and have for the last 20 years. Instant itching relief!



Burn mosquito coils outside on patio or balcony - also, buy some (say 4) oil lamps and fill with citronella oil - both available at Homebase in South Nicosia.



Grow pots of 'Basil' to stand around outside sitting area and waft your bare limbs through the foliage - this deters most biting insects.



Sandflies don't just bite once - they keep on coming, like 'kamikazi' pilots!



If it's any consolation, you will, eventually, become more immune to sandfly bites!

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
08/10/2009 11:35

What are mosquito coils and where can you get them?

Stewart


Joined: 19/07/2008
Posts: 1107

Message Posted:
08/10/2009 11:43

Hi...last week, i found a good way of getting rid of them all, ...at night with all exterior doors and windows closed, but all interior door open....put on one light, at the highest part of the property.....after a couple of hours, the sandflies will have gathered around this....squirt fly / mosquito spray around this light...hey presto, all gone, ...you may have to do this a couple of times....but they have now gone ( just need to sweep them up, from the floor under the light



hope this helps

ingalill


Joined: 17/06/2009
Posts: 136

Message Posted:
08/10/2009 12:02

I do same as Stewart. Ive noticed that usually at daytime sandflies are not biting me. Im keeping liquid electric raid in contacts. Im turning them on 30 mins before going to sleep and in living room 30 mins before sun set. Ive noticed that sandflies coming to light so i suggest to close all windows/doors and do as Stewart says. Im alsways keeping anti histamine gel and tabs - just in case I would be biten badly. Im also using normal simple spray "off" if im going out after sunset.

superted


Joined: 13/08/2009
Posts: 74

Message Posted:
08/10/2009 15:02

Hi guys



Many thanks to you all for your advice.



With regards to going to a GP, we are both very much of the thought, 'we will be ok', so I thought, although people on here may not be qualified, most would have had the same problem with their own answers. I always try to avoid the doctor as does she due to bad experiences.



Much thanks to Tenkoutou, I will definately try this out as we are going through insect repellant and after bite sprays like there going out of fashion.



We do try the 'leave 1 light on' method but the apartment is only small and it doesnt seem to work. It did work when we lived with my mum in a large villa, but it may be worth another go as it is getting quite bad. 20 odd bites the other night.



I shall get the ingredients for the DIY spray and the cockroach spray tonight.



I'll let you know how we get on.



Again many thanks to you all for your help.



SuperTed

newlad



Joined: 02/03/2008
Posts: 7819

Message Posted:
08/10/2009 15:07

http://www.cyprus44.com/forums/23253.asp

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
08/10/2009 15:11

Superted,

I really think you should get some kind of medical input here. I honestly think there are 2 things going on here the bites, I think your first instinct was correct and it could be fleas especially with the apartment lying empty for 18 months.

Also some of the symptoms of the 'sand fly fever' don't add up like the cough, swollen glands and blocked sinuses.

I had sand fly fever in June this year and have came across quite a few people that have had it in 5 years not nice.

And before everybody jumps on the bandwaggon here I know the symptoms are different for everyone, but most people seem to have a degree of stomach cramps and diarrhoea associated with this.

If I can help just e-mail me.

Chris

mickyron


Joined: 05/07/2009
Posts: 130

Message Posted:
08/10/2009 17:29

Hi Superted. Dont take any chances see a Dr A.S.A.P. I had this a few years ago and ended up in hospital when I got back in the U.K. Can be very painful an she may well be dehydrated, if this is the case she will need to be put on a drip.

donaghadee3


Joined: 25/01/2009
Posts: 75

Message Posted:
08/10/2009 19:23

Hi Superted



My husband was bitten by an infected sandfly earlier this year - it really took him down.

Awful flu like symptons - couldn't eat or drink water - but to be sure see a doctor - your poor girlfriend may also be suffering dehydration. Sandfly fever can last up to six weeks!!!!!!!

Please see a doctor asap just in case

liz w



Joined: 09/10/2008
Posts: 270

Message Posted:
08/10/2009 19:40

Hi Superted, it might also help if you switch on your air conditioning about half an hour before bed as they don't like the cold and this usually kills all the little blighters oh and the mozzies then switch it off when you get in to bed. one of our neighbours told us last week that they don't like the air moving in the rooms so you could try a fan aswell.



Having seen the state my husdand got into with sand fly fever , please take her to the doc asap.



Liz

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
08/10/2009 19:51

Doyen 1:



On the shelf, say Tempo, along with the Vape/Raid/Johnsons anti-mossie stuff, you should spot the 'mosquito coils' - several firms make them.



Personally, I buy the DK coils, fly & cockroach spray & tabs in Orphanides, as I've found this make cheaper and more effective than, say, Johnsons, etc.



This 'apartment from Hell' obviously needs thoroughly fumigating as it could well, as 'Nurse A' suggests, also be flea-ridden. I don't wish to denigrate anybody, but it was well known in the South that many villagers (not only!) were carriers of human fleas. These have caused 'Bubonic Plague' + many other 'nasties'! If the previous occupants of this apartment kept dogs or cats, this could be another cause of flea and sandfly infestation. Animal fleas usually bite once and then leave a human - animals are their hosts.



All biting insects are attracted by the CO2 mammals exhale - they will 'home in' on this before 'zapper lamps', or light bulbs. Use yellow light bulbs!

scruff


Joined: 15/07/2008
Posts: 1070

Message Posted:
08/10/2009 20:20

re. message 6

"If it's any consolation, you will, eventually, become more immune to sandfly bites!"

Interesting to read this. I get bitten every night (IMO sand flies are a night time thing). I have been bitten for 8 yrs now. I can't be bothered with the remedies & repellents. I just scratch instead from June until November.

However I have never had sand fly fever so maybe the quoted message is true.

I know many people who have lived in Cyprus for a far shorter time & don't get bitten as much as I do, but they have had what has been diagnosed by doctors as sand fly fever even when it has only lasted a few days? If it is caused by a virus it is not possible to test for it anyway. My experience with doctors here, leads me to believe that they will always say that you have sand fly fever if you show certain symptoms.

Googling sand fly fever has indicated that you will get the fever if the sand fly has bitten an animal & then the sand fly passes an illness on to you.

scruff


Joined: 15/07/2008
Posts: 1070

Message Posted:
08/10/2009 20:25

contd.



I also read that Leichmanias is a far more serious skin disease of two types, only contracted in certain countries outside Europe & nothing like Sicilian sand fly fever. Please feel free to correct me if I am mistaken.

I remember watching a programme in the UK. starring Joanna Lumley who was left alone on a tropical desert island. She suffered so badly from sand fly bites that despite the excessive heat there, she spent all her time fully clothed from head to foot.

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
08/10/2009 20:27

Roy Msg6



Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?!



Richard

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
08/10/2009 20:28

Scruff - don't scratch - mix up my 'after-bite' balm!

scruff


Joined: 15/07/2008
Posts: 1070

Message Posted:
08/10/2009 21:26

Tenakoutou.

Sorry to say this. I find all these sprays & things far too sticky for everyday use. I'd put up with the sprays for 2 weeks as a tourist but not for every night for 4 to 5 mths solid.

The bites which are tiny bumps subside & I stop itching if I cover up or enter a room with air con. They are gone the next day but leave tiny scabs.

If anyone says they have been bitten by sand flies but says they have a rash the next day or a visible bite, then it isn't a sand fly that's bitten them.

superted


Joined: 13/08/2009
Posts: 74

Message Posted:
09/10/2009 10:53

Hi Guys



Again many thanks to all of you for your responses.



Thankfully she seems to be doing 'ok' now. Has managed to get back to work today - shes part time.



Still a bit achey but as mentioned in msg17 it seems to have only lasted a few days. Hopefully she is through the worst of it as she just seem to be stuck with the aches and a tickly cough.



We shall definately have to get the apartment totally aired and de-bugged!



I will certainly try a few of the methods mentioned and see what works. I shall let you know my findings.



Again many thanks to you all for your great help.



SuperTed

smithy


Joined: 17/07/2008
Posts: 5301

Message Posted:
09/10/2009 11:29

I say get to the Doctor

My son had it so bad 2 years ago and he was admitted into the Girne Hospital as he was dehydrated and was put on a drip for 2 days, every year since then he gets it mildly but nothing like the first time, he was so bad he was thinking of flying back to the UK to sort this out, please take all the advice on board about repellents etc but seek out the Doctor also.

Sheila

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
09/10/2009 21:10

Scruff/msg 21: No need to try my 'after-bite balm' remedy, or anything else I've suggested - just keep on scratching away there - that's your perogative!

SandyBlackCat


Joined: 12/07/2008
Posts: 55

Message Posted:
10/10/2009 18:01

Tenakoutou msg.6: Have tried a couple of Pharmacys but can't get the medical ammonia. Any suggestions where to get it. Thanks

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
10/10/2009 23:22

Try pharmacy next to Tempo - Karaolanoglu, that's where I got mine. Maybe he can order for you.



Otherwise, you'll have to cross the border and try there - good luck!