Fleas aren't just a problem for families with pets, but pets do sometimes raise exposure. Fleas can enter a house on clothing or animals.
With a very fast breeding cycle, they will quickly take over, often living in fabrics and carpets. If you're itching and suspect fleas, here is everything you need to know about flea bites.
Contents of this article:
What are fleas?
Fleas are tiny insects that can be hard to detect unless their bites are noticeable. Fleas are about a quarter of an inch in length and appear flat from the tip of their head to their middle. They do not have wings, but their long hind legs are designed for jumping.
Fleas are tiny insects that feed on blood. They can often be found feeding on pet cats and dogs.
Fleas have a typical life cycle for an insect. Feeding on the blood of a host creature, such as a family dog or cat, is vital to its reproductive cycle.
Egg
Adult female fleas lay eggs on their host animal after feeding on blood. These eggs are not attached to the host in any way. Eventually, they will fall off and hatch. Eggs can be found in animal bedding, carpet, and on fabrics.
Larvae
Within around 2 to 12 days, the eggs will hatch and begin developing as larvae. This might occur in the bedding or favorite resting spot of a household pet. Larvae will avoid light and burrow deep into carpet and live off the shed skin of pets or humans. It is possible that in unfavorable conditions, fleas can remain as larvae for up to 200 days before maturing.
Pupae
After around 4 to 24 days in the larval stage, the fleas will begin to change into pupae, or cocoons. The fully developed larvae will spin their cocoons and rest until they are ready to emerge as adult fleas. Vibrations in their environment will cause them to complete the pupae cycle and emerge. This can be caused by people walking through the home.
Adult
At this stage, the adult flea will seek higher ground to have the best access to potential hosts. Outdoors, they will jump to the top of blades of grass. In the house, they may choose curtains or furniture. Once they jump onto a host, they will feed and repeat the reproductive cycle. Adult fleas can live for a year or longer if they have access to a food source.
A flea's primary food source is the blood of their host. Newly emerged adult fleas are hungry and will find whatever warm-blooded host they can as quickly as possible. This is why flea bites are sometimes found on the ankles of children and adults.
Most fleas that infest a home will be cat fleas or dog fleas. These fleas will usually spend their time with the family pet.
What do flea bites look like?
Flea bites on humans usually appear around the feet, ankles, or legs. If uncontrolled, fleas can spread on the body and bite anywhere, especially on people with hairy areas on their legs or chest.
The bites themselves will be tiny with a central red spot. They will often form a small scab surrounded by a light red halo.
For many people, especially children, flea bites will itch. This response will depend on the allergic reaction potential of each person, however.
How do humans get bitten by fleas?
Humans are generally the secondary victims when it comes to flea bites. Humans don't make good hosts. They tend to become targets for hungry adult fleas who haven't yet found the family pet or another, more suitable host.
If an adult or child happens to walk or crawl past an adult flea that has just emerged from its cocoon, they may be the first option for a meal.
Symptoms of flea bites
Most people won't have any adverse reactions to flea bites. In general, fleas do not carry modern diseases.
Flea bites on humans often appear as small, red spots.
Small children and those who are allergic may have a bad reaction, which can include swelling and itching. The skin may become irritated and painful around the bite. A secondary infection can be caused by scratching.
In most cases, fleas will be a nuisance and can indicate a household infestation that needs to be dealt with.
Complications from flea bites
There are two primary complications from flea bites: allergic reaction and secondary infection.
If a person is bitten and begins to show the following symptoms, they should seek professional medical attention immediately:
- Difficulty breathing
- Nausea
- Swelling of the lips or face
A flea bite may also become infected. If the patient has swollen glands, extreme pain around the bite, or excessive redness, they will want to talk to a doctor about treating this infection.
Treatments for flea bites
Treatments for flea bites can range from simple home remedies to medications available from the pharmacy. These include:
- Tea tree oil
- Calamine lotion
- Cortisone
- Vinegar
- Anti-histamine medications
Most importantly, people should try not to scratch the bites to avoid a secondary infection. Treating the bites will help reduce the itching.
What to do if a pet has fleas
Pets are the most common way for fleas to enter the home. As a result, it's important to understand how to solve a flea problem and implement flea prevention in the home.
Pet owners will want to consult a vet to determine if their pet has any health problems caused by fleas. The vet can suggest a number of flea treatments that are inexpensive and effective.
After treating the pet, the infestation will need to be removed from the home. Fleas can be difficult to destroy, so people may wish to consult a professional exterminator to learn more.
Differences between fleas and bed bugs
A lot of publicity about bed bugs has spread in recent years. Many people are rightfully concerned about bed bugs while traveling.
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