How to treat flea bites on humans – well, in most cases you simply don’t need to treat them, but there are few things that you should be aware of. It is possible to develop an allergy from flea bites, or a secondary infection – well, it IS difficult not to scratch the bite site, and we all know about the bacteria that nest under our fingernails. But let’s start form the beginning:
Flea bites on humans usually occur along the ankles, but more generally on the lower portion of the legs, or on forearms, from holding your pet. When they are localized to the bottom area of our body, it’s from the fleas that live in the carpet – they can jump up to two feet.
Fleas are tiny wingless parasites that live all over the world. Although they probably prefer the company of your cat or dog, fleas can also extend temporary residence to the human foot or shin, where they feed on the blood. Treating flea bites in humans is simple and inexpensive; however, preventing more flea bites in the future requires addressing the source of the infestation.
Typically, a flea bites on humans show up as a small, red, itchy bump on your skin, with a little dot or hole in the center of the bump, where the bite actually occurred. But those who are sensitive to flea bites can suffer a severe allergic reaction.
Having one or two flea bites can be annoying. But having so many flea bites that it looks like you've broken out in some kind of rash can be downright terrifying.
Do Flea Bites Itch?
Yes, they do – and you’re just fine if that’s all you get from it. What makes flea bites itch, it’s not the bite itself; it is the saliva that the flea injects in your body. It contains an anti-coagulant (which helps them feed without disturbance), and if you have been bitten by a flea once, it’s possible that you became sensitive to its saliva.
In humans, they are usually grouped in clusters of two or three, little red spots with halos of redness around them. Depending on one’s body reaction – and on one’s ability to sustain from scratching – the redness can last anywhere from several hours to several days.
Suggestions to treat flea bites on humans:
1. Resist the urge to scratch.
2. Wash the bites with antiseptic soap to reduce the risk of infection.
3. Apply an icepack frequently to help relieve swelling.
4. Use calamine lotion, anaesthetic creams or similar to treat the itching.
5. See your pharmacist for advice on appropriate antihistamine medications to reduce the swelling.
6. Seek treatment for possible tapeworm infection, since fleas can transmit this parasite through their bite.
7. See your doctor if the symptoms worsen or if a secondary infection develops.
That’s it, we just took care of one problem, how to treat flea bites on humans! Now don’t forget about the bigger one – how to get rid of fleas in your home and on your pets. If you leave them be, you’ll be repeating this process over and over again.
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