Sand Flies

[jay]

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=37591
"The Baghdad Boil" .. "The Leish." .. leishmaniasis ..

Read about preventative measures, but would like to know if there are any herbal preparations that may help prevent the potentially deadly parasite, delivered by the bite of infected sand flies as common in the Middle East as fleas on a wild dog.

Next time my grandson phones from Iraq I want to ask if the Army furnishes the Deet or whatever. We have been sending pkgs. to make things a little easier and if you can think of anything...thank you!
gma

[goatlady]

DEET works but I personally don't think it is very safe for the human body- it sort of sinks into and through the skin and adding powerful chemicals to the body is not a good think. Unfortunately, herb insect repellents are very short term remedies and need frequent application especially when sweating. The best thing I have found for myself (and for my dogs) is eating a lot of fresh garlic. And the more you sweat the better it works. The body will exude the scent of garlic and insects stay away as will most everything in some cases! I sprinkle garlic granules on the dog food and it keeps the ticks and fleas off the animals. Humans can eat a clove or 2 of fresh garlic with meals and get the same results. Avon's Skin-So-Soft diluted with a little water works real well but it has a fairly strong scent and to me it's too oily, but it does work well for flying, biting insects.

[cltreatment]

baghdad boil treatment? Email me

[themadmedic]

The Army does issue the needed insect repellants. Additionally, hygiene goes a long way in prevention also-trash control, etc.

They are weak flyers, so a fan if availible blowing across the room can disrupt their flight.

CL is largely a self limiting problem, but we have had some success in treating it with antifungals...