Fleabites in humans may appear as a small, discolored bump, possibly with a ring or halo around it. If there are multiple bites, they may be in a straight line or a cluster.
Fleas usually prefer to bite other animals, but they can bite humans too. When they do, the bites can be itchy and painful. The bites
Owning a pet increases the risk of a flea infestation, but fleas can enter the home on any fabric or fur. Once in the home, their quick breeding cycle means they can rapidly become a nuisance.
This article covers everything you need to know about fleabites, including how to identify and treat them, and how to keep pets and the home free of fleas.
Fleabites are very small bumps. In lighter skin tones, they will have a central red spot. In darker skin tones, the bumps may be a similar color to the surrounding skin, or a darker brown. The bites may appear in groups and sometimes appear in a line.
Fleabites on humans
How often do fleas bite humans?
Humans are often the secondary options when it comes to fleabites, as they do not make good hosts. They tend to become targets for hungry fleas who have not yet found another, more suitable host.
Two potential complications of fleabites are infections and allergic reactions. Scratching the bite may cause a secondary infection by allowing bacteria to get into the skin or bloodstream. This may lead to:
- swelling
- redness or discoloration
- pus or discharge
- fever
Additionally, people who are allergic to insect bites may have an allergic reaction. This may result in:
Rarely, a person may have a serious allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis: Symptoms and what to do
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be life threatening. The symptoms develop suddenly and include:
- hives
- swelling of the face or mouth
- wheezing
- fast, shallow breathing
- a fast heart rate
- clammy skin
- anxiety or confusion
- dizziness
- vomiting
- blue or white lips
- fainting or loss of consciousness
If someone has these symptoms:
- Check whether they are carrying an epinephrine pen. If they are, follow the instructions on the side of the pen to use it.
- Dial 911 or the number of the nearest emergency department.
- Lay the person down from a standing position. If they have vomited, turn them onto their side.
- Stay with them until the emergency services arrive.
Some people may need more than one epinephrine injection. If the symptoms do not improve in 5–15 minutes, or they come back, use a second pen if the person has one.
Do fleas carry diseases?
Some fleas in the United States carry diseases they can transmit when they bite humans. These include:
- Flea-borne typhus: This occurs when fleas infected with a bacterium known as Rickettsia typhi bite humans. These fleas
can be present in rats, cats, and opossums. In the U.S.,most cases of flea-borne typhus occur in Hawaii, California, or Texas, but the geographic area and incidence of this disease is growing. - Flea-borne spotted fever: This disease occurs due to a different type of bacteria, known as Rickettsia felis, which mainly affects cat fleas. Flea-borne spotted fever occurs around the world.
- Plague: Plague is most well-known for causing
millions of deaths in medieval Europe, but the disease still exists. It occurs when mammals infected with Yersinia pestis bacteria bite humans. Today, cases in the U.S. still occur, mostly in rural western areas. It is a serious condition, but antibiotics can treat it.
Other flea-borne diseases affect humans indirectly. For example, cats with fleas that scratch humans can transmit cat scratch disease, also known as cat scratch fever.
Keeping pets flea-free, preventing rats from getting in the home, and avoiding contact with wild animals that may carry infected fleas
It is important to know the differences between the bites of these common parasites to avoid treating the wrong infestation. The table below compares and contrasts them:
| Fleabites | Mosquito bites | Bedbug bites | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Tiny bump | Can range from being almost invisible to causing bumps | |
| Location | Any exposed skin. | Anywhere, but often the face, neck, or hands. | |
| Symptoms | May be itchy or painful. | May cause warmth and itchiness. | May cause itching or burning. |
| Pattern | May be in clusters or lines. | No pattern. | Can occur in lines. |
| Timing | Can occur at any time for as long as there is an infestation. | May only occur during the day or night, or during certain seasons, depending on the type of mosquito. | Usually at night when a person is asleep. |
| Other signs | Pets that scratch themselves a lot, have spots of blood on their skin, or tiny bugs in their fur. Proximity or contact with animals that often carry fleas, such as rats or squirrels. | Visible flying insects indoors or outdoors. | Spots of blood on bedding. Brown spots on furniture from bedbug feces. |
If a person notices flea bites, they should
If hives appear, there is swelling, or severe itchiness, a person can speak with a pharmacist or doctor. They may suggest antihistamines or a topical corticosteroid.
To avoid a secondary infection, it is important that people do not try to scratch fleabites. Treating the bites will help reduce the itching. If the bite does show signs of infection, a doctor can provide antibiotics.
The only way to stop fleabites from happening is to remove or avoid the source of the fleas.
Removing fleas in animals
If a cat or dog has fleas, people can ask a vet for advice on treatment. They may recommend a topical treatment, tablets, or injections. Follow the instructions for use.
People should also treat pets for worms at the same time as they treat for fleas. This is because flea larvae can carry worm eggs. If a pet eats an affected flea, they may get worms.
If the source of the fleas is rats in the home, it is important to trap and remove the rats, then seal any entry points they could be using to get inside.
Removing fleas from the home
While addressing the source of the fleas, people will also need to remove any remaining fleas or eggs from the home.
There are a number of steps people can follow to rid the home of fleas while treating their pet. These include:
- laundering all bedding and soft furnishings at a high temperature, as well as any cat or dog beds, coats, or collars
regularly sweeping and vacuuming floors, skirting boards, rugs, furniture, and mattresses- discarding the dust bag from vacuum cleaners after use
- making outdoor spaces less habitable for fleas by keeping grass short
Flea foggers or smoke bombs are also available for rooms that contain fleas and their eggs. If using one of these products, follow the instructions carefully.
These steps can kill fleas at every stage in their life cycle until none remain in the home. Periodically treating pets for fleas can ensure they do not come back.
Fleas can be difficult to destroy. If they reoccur, it could be because some eggs were left in the home, or because pets are returning to places where fleas live. For example, cats may climb onto other properties or chase rats.
If this could be the case, it may be worth seeking advice from a vet on how to prevent reinfestation, assistance from a professional exterminator to rid the home of fleas, or both.
In humans,
- swollen glands
- fever
- chills
- headache
- muscle aches
People should also seek professional advice if they have a persistent or severe flea problem. Although the bites are usually not harmful in themselves, continuous draining of blood can become harmful to small or frail pets.
Fleas can also cause other health problems for animals. For example, they can spread myxomatosis to rabbits, which is a serious illness.
Fleabites can be itchy and uncomfortable, but they are
Washing the skin with soap and water and reducing itchiness with topical treatments is typically all that is necessary to treat fleabites. To stop fleabites, people need to remove fleas from the home. This may involve treating household pets, thorough cleaning to remove eggs, or possibly contacting an exterminator.
Ensuring pets do not get fleas, and that they get prompt treatment if they show signs of having fleas, can stop them from spreading and affecting humans.