Dermatitis & conjunctivitis in workers on an ostrich farm following thrips infestation.

Thrips (Order: Thysanoptera; Family: Thripidae) are insects that suck epidermal lymph after biting and are endowered with raspingsucking mouthparts. They live in huge niches and include phytophagous, fungivorous and predacious species. Thrips are often overlooked as they are small in size, move rapidly and are light in colour. However, thrips may become a nuisance when they swarm and land on exposed areas of skin. Attacks on people usually occur in hot, sultry weather when large numbers of migratory thrips alight on bare skin. Itching and pricking sensations result from thrips activity in seeking moisture from the skin or they may be attracted to volatile compounds in perspiration. If they land on bare skin they “rasp” the skin, causing a sudden burning sensation at the bite site. Rashes and dermatitis have been reported following thrips bites. In some people, a red wheal may develop with an itching sensation persisting for several days. I report the density of flies alighting on exposed areas of skin and describe subsequent allergic reactions in workers of an ostrich farm in Eastern Europe.