What should you do if you get bitten by niknik? Kuya Kim answers

Have you experienced getting bitten by blood-sucking insects called niknik? 

According to Kuya Kim’s report on “24 Oras Weekend,” Sunday, niknik or sandfly is a pantropical insect pest which lives in a tropical country like the Philippines. 

Daryl Hernandez, an entomologist, said it is often seen in beaches near the sea or muddy areas near rivers with high moisture or humidity. Like mosquitoes, niknik also feeds on human blood. 

“‘Yung babae lang na mature enough for mating ‘yung tumutusok. Hindi siya totoong kumakagat kasi wala naman siyang ngipin. Ang type ng kanyang mouth part ay piercing sucking so tumutusok siya tsaka siya sumisipsip,” Hernandez said.

Due to niknik’s small size, it is barely visible through the eyes. 

“Ang size nyan is around 1-3mm lang so they are barely visible. Very unlikely na madetect siya ng tao kasi lalabas ‘yan ng saliva niya that serves as parang anesthesia na hindi mo nararamdaman yung kayang pagtusok. Ang nakikita na lang sa kanya yung injury na nadudulot niya,” Hernandez said.

Wearing long sleeves or rashguard are recommended when going to places that are niknik-prone. It is also advisable to put insect repellent, lotion or cream to avoid getting bitten by niknik.

But what if you get bitten by niknik? Here are some remedies you can do:

• Immediately wash the affected part of the body with soap and warm water
• Swelling and itching can also be reduced with a cold compress
• If the bitten part gets itchy, one should take antihistamines and pain relievers if it hurts.
• Apply an ointment or cream such as calamine lotion.

—Jade Veronique Yap/MGP, GMA Integrated News