myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

I know that sandflies are more of a problem on the north coast beaches, especially in the wet season, but I wonder if anyone feels that one beach is particularly worse (or better) than any other? Thanks

Hello Richard,
Just returned from my first visit to Tobago, and although I didn't visit a large number of beaches, I felt my worst attack occurred on Englishmans Bay. The veterans here will no doubt help you further.
Incidentally, may I ask said veterans, is Little Englishmans Bay so named because of its size or after a little Englishman?
Cheers
Carol

Englishman's Bay is probably the worst.

Castara is riddled in them too and all the little beaches (accessible by boat) along the Caribbean Coast where the rainforest meets the sea.

From Arnos Vale westwards the risk of sandfly bites reduces although I have been nibbled on Turtle Beach a few times.

They are very nasty little pests ... everyone gets bitten ... it is just that some of us are more allergic to the bites than others.

Regards

Richard,the worst area for me is around Bloody Bay.There is a lot of wet grassland there which encourages the so and sos!
David

Richard,do remember that sandflies are very partial and choosy in their consumption of human delicacies. Some of us never get bitten at all. I have been ONLY to beaches from Castara and up, including mad cow beach before the new road to Charlotteville and neither me nor my first or second beautiful lithe blonde girlfriend have ever been bitten. If You have visited tropical locations before and came down scot free then You may rest Your weary limbs easily in the shade of the mango tree..
And, if not, use desloratadine and, if reacting really bad, montelukast. Available from Your friendly GP.

But Doc,do you premedicate?
David

good question? anything you can do before? just asking for my mom as a victim of the sandflies every year...

steph

On previous visits to Tobago I've had very few bites, unlike my good lady - who obviously has tasty flesh. However, this year they really got stuck into me. Although I had very few mosquito bites, it was the sandflies that really made a nuisance of themselves. And it was up north I thought they were worse, although I can't think why that should be.

Many repellents were tried. On one occasion the top of a container came off and my leg was covered with 100 Deet - and moments later I had sandflies on that very spot! Maybe they are getting resistant, or just a bit too damn cheeky.

Wyn,
That's interesting. I did joke that maybe the repellant actually ATTRACTED the little......s! There was an occasion when I forgot to put any on, and the bites were no worse, possibly even a little less! Maybe it only works on flying things.
I was discussing this with a friend who even gets bitten through her hair. She has a theory that certain blood groups have a more attractive aroma to the beasts. She is B Negative. What do you think Dr?
Cheers
Carol

Dear Carol, there is a certain truth in what You say, but only as stated before, that some people react worse and are struck more often. Seems much like the reaction to puncheon rum...
If one knows that one gets orrible ives one SHOULD premedicate, and as stated before, desloratadine and montelukast are my fav things.
Another interesting thing is that people who react fiercely to stings should know is that there seems to be a connection between urticaria and helicobacter pylori. a bug that dwells in the acid bath of ones stomach my producing its own ammonia supply. It is easy to test if You are a carrier, either by a blood sample or a so called urea breath test. This bug is easily forced to vacate Your innards with omeprazole and two antibiotics for a week and then, in many cases, the urticarial tendency improves. Well worth examining at Your local GP office if You really suffer...
Best of luck.

Jeez Doc, this thread is causing my hypochondria to flare up.

Do you answer questions on all medical problems?

How about being the myTobago resident medical guru in the same way that Paul T is our weather guru?

Tony

Dear Tony (fellow hypo),

You had me laughing so loud that my children had to come in and check on me. I love the threads these days, and thanks to Carol there is alot to sink our teeth into. Thankfully the bugs get drunk as soon as they taste my blood and they leave me alone.
I would love a resident Doc on site here, sounds like a dandy idea.
Maybe he can let us ladies know what to do for those bites from the local boys in Castara too. They have me in a fever for months after......
Just kidding,
Lori

Lori,
What do you mean about the boys in Castara? Come on spill the beans! Perhaps Bill was right about "wild" life on the beach?
As for having a medical guru, I think that would be a great idea.You see, I've got this pain in my knee...
Over and out
Carol

Hi Carol

Knowing how I react to bites and stings (and get hay fever!)- I always start to take desloratydine (Clarytin - OTC, or neoclarytin - from the doctor) about a week before we go away - to build up a bit of resistance. I still get bitten (despite the application of various lotions and potions)- but they don't seem to come up quiet as nasty as when I don't have any antihistamine inside me.

As for repellents; I've tried the VitB rich diet - they loved that one! Citronella - no effect at all! Boots tropical - some success, but not perfect. The best we've found for Tobagan beasties is "Off". It does what it says on the tin. (Don't spray it on you if you're standing under a smoke detector though - it sets off the alarm!!! We know - we did it!)

(This year my worst bites have come from red ants in our garden - when I wasn't on any tablets - and when the weather was awful! The little b******s got inside my shoe when I was deadheading roses!)

Still - being an insects lunch is a small price to pay when the rest of the holiday is sooooooo good!

Jane

Carol, Jane and all others,

as most of you I react badly on sandflies. Once my left foot swell on the flight back that I had to change my window place with my neighbour to lift up the foot and the servants at the plane bring me ice... Had problems for three more weeks after holidays. Sice then I use antihistamine tablets and try any kind of repellant like Citronella and all kind of stinking creams and lotions without any affect. Only I don't react too bad with the antishistamine. Last holidays in February this year I collected about a hundred different bites (sandflies, moskitos and what ever biting insects are flying around Castara).

The only thing that really helps is a lot of Carib or Rum. Not that bites are itching less but you are more relaxed the more you drink

Cheers
Gisela

PS: It will not keep me away, I will not let the insects win!

I am sure the sandflies are looking forward to your next visit, Gisela.

Regards

Dear Paul

I'm afraid they will. It will take a while before I can go back. Maybe I try to find out when your next visit is and go there the same time (just to tell the mossies to bite you instead of me)

Cheers
Gisela

I think the question of residency for Papa Doc is a matter for Immigration(Steve) .

OK Gisela ... just look out for an oily man ... you will smell me and my sandfly potions at the other end of the beach (down wind of course) !!

Regards

Me,I just 'av de rum de carib and garlic....don feel notin don care