This week I accidentally discovered yet another previously unknown hazard in East Africa, the Nairobi Fly. Good info and a photo are at this link.

I have definitely killed several of these. I must have either killed one on my arm or killed one and then rubbed my arm. Either way, I have a big sore on my left arm. I wasn’t sure what it was at first, but several students in my Form III Physics class saw the sore and said, “You’ve been bitten by a Nairobi Fly!” After some research, I realized that it’s not really a fly, it’s a beetle; and that they don’t bite, they get revenge for their death by spreading their acidic poison over your skin. Two weeks of itch and probably a scar. Now we all know not to mash any bugs other than mosquitoes…

The local remedy recommended by several students and a couple of websites is toothpaste. It kind of makes sense. The alkaline in the toothpaste should neutralize the acid in the poison, and then act as a poultice to pull out the poison. I’ve tried it for a day now (under a bandage) and it does seem to have reduced the welts. I’ll try it for another day and see if it keeps helping.

I’m just glad that I didn’t accidentally rub it in my eye. It can cause temporary blindness and lots of pain in the eye. Thank goodness for small miracles.