The perennial irritant of any household with pets, fleas are notorious for leaving nasty red bumps on skin and even threatening your pet’s health if untreated. What many people don’t realize is that these bloodthirsty parasites are happy to make a meal of human blood. Generally speaking, if you have an outdoors pet of any kind (particularly cats and dogs) then you are at risk of being bitten.
Unfortunately, even those without pets can still be targeted by fleas. They can find their way inside your home or perhaps leap onto your skin when you’re out in the park. The good news is that fleas who will live and breed on humans are extremely rare; the bad news is that almost all common fleas are more than happy to take a bite. If you’re moving to a house where a dog or cat was kept previously, it’s worth investigating whether or not there is a flea problem.
Bite Symptoms
While bites are fairly common and not usually very harmful, it’s worth recognizing the signs so that you can eradiate a problem as soon as possible.
- Extreme itchiness
- Formation of small, red bumps
- Likely locations are under the arms, in the air and behind the knees; areas with warm, accessible skin
- Allergic reactions are not uncommon and result in larger welts and discomfort
Treatment Of Flea Bites
As with most bites, a thorough cleaning with anti-septic and a cold compress will go a long way[1]. If you suffer from itching, then antihistamine may provide relief. The single most important thing to bear in mind is to not scratch. While resisting that relentless urge to scratch takes up nearly all of our concentration, the healing process will be hugely hampered if you start scraping your skin.
Some other methods of flea treatment include:
- The application of soothing creams and lotions
- Oatmeal baths to soothe the skin [2]
- Treatment of your home and yard for fleas
In general, even though fleas would much prefer a dog to a human being, we are seen as a more-than-acceptable alternative. If you have a bite, don’t get panicked: go see your pharmacist if you’re worried about the lump, then take steps to rid your home of any fleas. If you have a pet, make sure to cleanse them of the parasites as well to fully eradicate the problem.
Sources
[1] https://www.fleabites.net/flea-bite-treatment-how-to-get-rid-of-flea-bites/
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