Got bitten by the bug

[Q]

...literally

Being on a kickboat, your legs are always in the water. Every time I go to the Breede, I get these bite marks just above where my legs are in the water. All of us who went to the Breede have these. Also have them on my fore arms.

Larger than a mozzie bit, itch like hell and get watery after a day or two.

On the water, I sometimes feel the bites, like mozzie bite, but when I look there is nothing.

It's not leeches, for that I'm always on the lookout.

So what is it? And how can we prevent it?

[Toadee]

Bone burrowing Breede Beetle. Kiss your tootsies g'bye!

At least you'll have more money for tackle when you don't have to buy shoes anymore.

[jonni]

Not saying this is definitely the cause, but sounds similar:

I recently had something called "swimmers itch", was one of the most unpleasant experiences of my life. Its caused by blood flukes/parasites that burrow into your skin. But because they require bird hosts they die there and cause a crazy itch. Its almost the same as bilharzia, except they are meant for birds so they do no harm, besides the itch from hell.

It depends on how many are in the water as to how bad the itch is, in your case it could just be a low concentration. Part of their life cycle is in freshwater snails, so they not gonna go away anytime soon. You should just wear waders imo.

[Southpaw]

I have also had these bites before but from Clanwilliam, PK and the Elgin dams we fish for the KBT.

Like you say it just itches for a day or two then its over. Suppose you could put some Anthisan cream on the bites if its too much to handle.

[Kassie]

Bilharzia.
Watch yourself for the next month or so.

Usually the things die. But you dont want them to make it to your vital organs or - even worse - in your willy :blue-shock:

[dreamfish]

Usually in summer months I find I get nailed by Haematopota's - a fly in the horsefly family. They land softly and give a quick bite that at first isn't too bad but later it itches like crazy and does so for about 2 days. In this case I did not spot any so its something else. There was a stack of small `miggies' buzzing around my head most of the morning but they seemed harmless.
The bites I have really feel like spider bites - itchy and sore at the same time, damn irritating!! :blue-evil:
I wonder if its not those small spiders that skate around on the water. Then they find a spot to climb out (under your kickboat) and tackle the back of your legs?

[smurf]

Usually at the time when wheat is being harvested,there is an abundance of a tiny black fly that bites very gently and injects an anti coagulating substance into the bite so the blood does not clot in that minute area.This little biting fly thing stays close to the water or the deck of the boat,so you find most areas being bitten are down there.Once it has had its meal,which is a second or two,off it goes,but the gob that it puts into you before having its blood meal causes a nasty ,itchy blister.Best solution to that bite is to rub the bite liberally with surgical spirits,then have a stiff dop to ease the short lived pain...by your third dop,all will be gone... :blue-biggrin:

[Riprap]

By your sixth dop you will be tying polymer knots in your anchor rope and rubbing the bite marks with kick n bass......!
Smurf - won't an insect repellent help?

[dreamfish]

This could be a suspect.... Biting midges (Family Ceratopogonidae).
Found all over S.A. These could be the small `miggies' we encountered..(harmless se voet!). This could explain a few bites on my forehead and hands...

Very small (body length under 3mm). Bite is painless, but intense irritation and itchiness follow. (Field guide to insects: Struik 2004)
In humans, their bites can cause intensely itchy, red welts that can persist for more than a week. The discomfort arises from a localized allergic reaction to the proteins in their saliva, which can be somewhat alleviated by topical antihistamines. They are found in almost any aquatic or semiaquatic habitat throughout the world, as well as in mountain areas. (Wiki)

[Q]

@ Toadee: Sounds like a horror movie, haha
I think what Smurf said sounds right.
It is not a problem, just an irritation, and would like to stop the bites before I go on to the water.
And dopping does not help. I tried it very hard on Saturday, but Ohh eh eh, it was still there.

[dreamfish]

And dopping does not help. I tried it very hard on Saturday, but Ohh eh eh, it was still there.

... so it was not the toxins from the bites that caused you to speak a foreign language?? :blue-lol:

[bassmaster]

Horse fly... this little bastidge could also be it... they chow me broken... I hate the f@&%$!! I break out in hard red sore where they bite me... I would say it could be them as well... :blue-evil:

[Brenden]

HI Q, ive also experienced this when I used to float tube in Elgin area, I had an explorer and my mate still had the old cadis tube, I was bitten on all the areas that was exposed to the surface column. He was deeper in the water and was bitten all around his stomach area. it was so bad and fortunately for him his dad was a pharmacist and he was injected with some sort of anti histamine injection which took it away. I suggest you okes go get an anti histamine tablet from the local pharmacy it should help.

[Q]

... so it was not the toxins from the bites that caused you to speak a foreign language?? :blue-lol:

No, it was the medication

[Q]

Ja, I think I beter put some Alergex in my box.