no-see-um bites...maybe sand fleas

I have a friend who was recently in Key West and came back with little red bite marks he was told were no-see-um bites...we don't have these in Wisconsin...what is the cure or ointment or what? to make them go away?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Noseeums have sharp biting parts, and their bites are painful immediately. Wash the bites with some antiseptic lotion or soap. Use cold water but avoid the use of warm or hot water as this may tend to stimulate itch. Secondly, apply a cold pack over the bites to reduce swelling.

Please do not scratch the inflamed area as this may lead to open wounds and secondary infections. Your friendmay apply a mild steroid cream like 1% hydrocortisone cream and take OTC anthistaminics like benadryl or Claritin. In case of intense itching an oral dose of anti-histamine like Dimetapp, Chlortrimeton is very effective in relieving itch. Once the itch stops, he will stop scratching as well and the healing will take place faster.

But if the symptoms do not improve or worsen then please consult a dermatologist a course of antibiotics and a jab of steroid may be needed to stop the inflammation. It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.