What Are Sand Fleas?

Sand fleas—scientifically called Tunga penetrans and known by other names like niguas or suthis—are parasitic insects that are extremely rare in the US. You might notice sand flea bites that look like a cluster of small red bumps on your skin when you're bitten.

Although extremely rare in the US, sand fleas do pose harm to humans. The adult mated female fleas burrow into human skin and can cause conditions like tungiasis or bacterial infections. Here's what to understand about sand flea size and bites, how to get rid of sand fleas, and more.

Where Do Sand Fleas Live?

Sand fleas, which are no bigger than 1 millimeter (mm) in size, are usually found in tropical areas and sandy climates like beaches, stables, and farms. You may find them in:

• Mexico
• South America
• The West Indies
• Africa

While Tunga penetrans aren't likely to appear in the US, that doesn't mean they won't show up. For instance, you could travel to a beach in the Caribbean and come into contact with the fleas. You might pick them up there and bring them back to a beach in the US.

What Do Sand Flea Bites Look Like?

Sand flea bites appear as clusters of small red bumps on your skin. The initial symptoms of a sand flea bite infection usually develop only after the females are engorged.

Sand fleas reproduce with the help of humans. Female sand fleas burrow into the skin (usually the feet), and male sand fleas briefly meet them there to mate.

This is called tungiasis, or an infestation by the Tunga penetrans. The female's head is burrowed into the skin, but her rear end isn't, which allows her to expel eggs to the ground after mating. The female dies after expelling eggs—about 100 or so over a two-week period—and then falls out of the foot to the ground.

Potential Complications

Sand flea bites themselves—and even strictly the burrowing of a sand flea—isn't necessarily the problem; it's the aftermath. The opening created when the female burrows into the skin can put you at risk of contracting infections.

People may experience bacterial infections, resulting in inflammation and ulceration. The inflammation and ulceration may become severe, and multiple lesions can cause difficulty walking.

People don't usually notice sand flea bites as they're happening since the fleas are tiny and usually attach themselves to the ankles or feet. That means you might not even notice when they make contact with the skin on your body.

Treatment

Treatment should include sterile surgical removal of the sand fleas. After removal, the fleas should be covered with an appropriate dressing. If your tetanus vaccination isn't up to date (if you haven't had a booster in over 10 years), you should also be treated with a tetanus vaccine or booster.

In addition, topical medications can be helpful. For example, medications that include dimethicone—commonly found in head lice treatments—are highly effective for sand fleas.

Prevention of Sand Flea Bites

Repellents like DEET-containing bug sprays can effectively keep fleas away, as can coconut oil. That said, it's essential to check the label of your preferred bug spray to see how frequently you need to apply it to ensure you're constantly protected.

The next time you plan a vacation, it can't hurt to look ahead to see if sand fleas are problematic on the beaches you plan to visit. That way, you can ensure you've taken precautions to protect yourself from their bites.

A Quick Review

Sand fleas are bugs that can burrow into your skin and cause irritation and inflammation. Although they aren't common in the US, they are common in places like Mexico and Africa.

Treating sand fleas can include surgery and topical options. Before you plan your vacation, make sure the place you're heading to doesn't have sand fleas, and if they do, prepare and pack bug spray.