Sand fleas and stray dogs health concerns at surfing beaches
I am surfing in Weligama. There are stray dogs everywhere and my ankles are covered in itchy bites from the sand. Is there a health risk.
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4 Answers from travellers
The bites are likely sand flies (sand fleas), which are common on southern beaches at dawn and dusk. They are incredibly itchy but carry no major diseases. Go to a local pharmacy and ask for "Siddhalepa" balm or hydrocortisone cream. As for the dogs, do not pet them. While many are vaccinated, if a beach dog breaks your skin, you MUST go to the Matara hospital immediately for free rabies PEP shots.
The dogs usually just want to sleep under your sunbed for shade. Just leave them alone.
Do not scratch the sand fly bites! I scratched mine and got a staph infection because of the humid air.
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