A reply from.my doctor friend.
Though oral meds are not my cup of tea.

Does look like sandflies bites.

The cream is suitable but you must do it barrier style.
1. Apply one layer of cream
2. Apply a moisturiser over that so that it traps the 1st layer of cream.

You can get the following medicines from pharmacy to lessen the itch & inflammation.
1. Prednisone (20 tabs)
- start with 3 tabs immediately followed by 1 tab 3 x a day
2. Chlorpheniramine (20tabs)
- start with 2 tabs followed by 1 tab 3x a day.
Complete all the meds.

Do update me on his condition.

I couldn´t comment on that Bruce. The language barrier here stops me from getting a reliable statement on that. New Zealand has got the same problem on their South Island and once there I will try to get some reliable information whether they are seasonal. It all sounds like a bit too much fuss about it but what I have been through over the last few days is not needed a second time! I´ll have a couple of photo soon on what I believe is good prevention and post-exposure treatment

There are actually two negative aspects about the scratching, Chris. Firstly, as you said, the possibility of an infection. Secondly you do spread the histamine under the skin and encourage new production. We don´t want that, do we?

Exactly, Chris. That´s the next nasty thing about sandflies: Their itch has got extended "expiration date". I think I found almost the perfect treatment here: cortisone cream at night and some herbal stuff (similar to Tiger balm, suggested by a fisherman here in Ban Tong Tom) at daytime. Will post a photo of the two soon as I honestly believe it is almost ideal and I will have it "onboard" from now on

Yes, you did deserve a nice break. I can't imagine how awful the sandflies are. We never encountered them but we were never on Thai beaches later than about late February. March must be the season and I will make a note to myself. I hope they are short season fly and that they don't like April.

Worse after a hot shower when your nerves are heightened. Turn to cold water after that and ice the bites.

Pharmacist said the itches should subside after a week IF you don't scratch them. If you do at least keep nails short, clean n sanitized.

Sorry to hear abt the sandflies. I was scratching myself silly last Jan when I got attacked in the mountains of Mae Kampong 60 km from Chiangmai.

Just a few minutes outdoors while having breakfast was all it took. The guesthouse had piles of sand as they were making their own bricks. The owner came by with some repellant spray but it was too late.

About 30 bites on ankles n elbows.
Went to pharmacy in Lampang. Diagnosis. 'It is seeevere'. (severe)
Apparently placing ice on the bites brings some relief.

Man.....3 to 4 weeks of itching.

I would say: Well deserved after that horrible sandfly encounter, Bruce. I wouldn´t even know what to blame myself for, I guess the beaaches here are simply a no-go during that period of the year. Which is a shame as I love washing the sweat off in the sea after a day in the saddle

Frank,

You are having way too much fun!

Agreed, revolting.

Looks like grapefruit.

Autocorrect for the win! ;)

I wasn't even trying to be funny, Andrea, but I did some of the captions with my mobile while on the beach. When it came to fran.. it kept autofilling frankie. So it shall be....

That little moniker is going to stick from now on. Well done, mister frankie-pani.

It is, Jan. If you come down from the resort you don't turn right for the 7eleven but keep going south and then it is immediately on the left. Great place, lovely owner - didn't expect that in a touristy place like Ban Krut. Great recommendation!