rodraub
Registered
Returned June 20 and have fresh evidence that most of the commonly recommended defenses against sand flies have their flaws. We stayed in Sandy Bay, where the flies were especially bad. Previous visits have been to West Bay, where the resort/commercial bent of the area aggressively seeks to eliminate breeding grounds and sprays toxics to keep bug population in line. So if you are especially vulnerable to bug bites consider staying in WB or the windward side of island.
As bad as it was in Sandy Bay, others reported similar nastiness in West End and West Bay. Heard one report that it was as bad as ever seen in WE.
This was not our first trip, so we went fore-warned and fore-armed. Lots of 40% DEET, long pants, screened bedrooms, sunset watching restricted to end of dock, wind blown loctaions. Still set records for most bites per square inch.
Double doses of benadryl and 2% cortosone lotion barely slowed down the itching (I'll admit I react to insect bites by a factor of 2 or 3 to most people) but this was unbearable. Mixture of baking soda and various liquids (including rum) some relief. Lime juice, temporary relief. Amonia recommeded but not tried, as well as coconut oil. Baby oil did provide a good barrier and trapped/drowned many sand flies/no see ums, but not an overnight solution. Once my arms were covered with weeping, infected boils, and my wife was suffering as well we sought help at the Anthony Keys medical infirmary where they gave us an oral steriod Prednazone (sp?) and an oral antihistimine which in combination with an antihistimine salve and anitbiotics have finally tamed the welts and itching, 10plus days after this sorry situation started.
We did mix up a coconut oil lotion and amonia in 4:1 ratio once we got home and it seems to work well at controlling the itching. I will derfinitely take similar home brew on my next trip, because as much as I hate the bug bites, I love everything else about Roatan. My goal is to be able to stay there the three weeks it takes to gain an immunity, now that would be worth it!
The good news is the diving was good, the reef only looking slightly less vital than last year, the friendliness still mostly present, despite the rapid commercialization of the island. best defense against the bugs, in my opinon, spend as much time in salt water as possible.
As bad as it was in Sandy Bay, others reported similar nastiness in West End and West Bay. Heard one report that it was as bad as ever seen in WE.
This was not our first trip, so we went fore-warned and fore-armed. Lots of 40% DEET, long pants, screened bedrooms, sunset watching restricted to end of dock, wind blown loctaions. Still set records for most bites per square inch.
Double doses of benadryl and 2% cortosone lotion barely slowed down the itching (I'll admit I react to insect bites by a factor of 2 or 3 to most people) but this was unbearable. Mixture of baking soda and various liquids (including rum) some relief. Lime juice, temporary relief. Amonia recommeded but not tried, as well as coconut oil. Baby oil did provide a good barrier and trapped/drowned many sand flies/no see ums, but not an overnight solution. Once my arms were covered with weeping, infected boils, and my wife was suffering as well we sought help at the Anthony Keys medical infirmary where they gave us an oral steriod Prednazone (sp?) and an oral antihistimine which in combination with an antihistimine salve and anitbiotics have finally tamed the welts and itching, 10plus days after this sorry situation started.
We did mix up a coconut oil lotion and amonia in 4:1 ratio once we got home and it seems to work well at controlling the itching. I will derfinitely take similar home brew on my next trip, because as much as I hate the bug bites, I love everything else about Roatan. My goal is to be able to stay there the three weeks it takes to gain an immunity, now that would be worth it!
The good news is the diving was good, the reef only looking slightly less vital than last year, the friendliness still mostly present, despite the rapid commercialization of the island. best defense against the bugs, in my opinon, spend as much time in salt water as possible.
