Flea bites: how to recognise and treat them effectively?

Flea bites are small redness and bumps on the skin caused by the stings of these tiny pests that feed on your blood.

Fleas (both females and males) feed on blood (larvae feed on the faeces of adult fleas). Females mature and lay eggs after feeding.

Fleas are advised to be eradicated because of the blood-borne infections and parasites they spread through saliva.

Let’s get to know fleas briefly

Fleas are small, wingless insects. They are brown or black and have a flat body. Fleas have 6 legs, strong claws that allow them to cling to their host, and a mouth that helps pierce the skin and feed on blood. The flea’s mouth organs are cutting, stabbing and sucking.

The hind legs of fleas are longer and stronger compared to the middle and front legs. It is the hind legs that allow fleas to jump up to 30 cm.

There are more than 2,500 flea species worldwide, and over 20 in Lithuania. The most common fleas are dog fleas, cat fleas, small rodent fleas and human fleas.

Where are fleas found?

Ideal breeding grounds for fleas are bird nests and roosts, rodent habitats and living spaces. Outdoors, fleas settle in cool, damp, shady places. They can also sometimes live around trees, among leaves, in tall grass and bushes. When animals walk through these areas, fleas jump on them.

Once inside the house, fleas can jump away from the infected animal and find a safe hiding place. As a result, they are often found in furniture, carpets, cracks in floors, beds, bedding, etc.

See our article Fleas in bed and at home. Fleas live around the ears, neck, back and belly of dogs, cats and other animals.

Do fleas bite people?

A frequently asked question is – do fleas bite humans? The answer is yes, but the species of fleas that most commonly attack dogs and cats do not live on human skin. 

The simple reason is that dogs and cats have much more hair than humans. Fleas simply like animals with lots of fur, because it’s easy for them to hide and feed amongst the dense hair.

Flea bites: what do they look like and how to recognise them?

So what does a flea bite look like? First of all, a flea bite causes a small bump to form and discolouration of the skin in that area. Usually, flea bites don’t swell up as badly as mosquito bites. A ring may appear around the stung area (similar to Lyme disease). Flea bites can be in a straight line or chaotic.

• Where do fleas most often sting? Flea bites in humans are most commonly found on the legs – especially the feet, shins and ankles. Flea bites are rarely seen above the knees.
• How do I know if it’s a flea bite or a bite from another bloodsucking insect? It is very important to examine the animals. If a pet is digging, scratching, biting its fur more intensely than usual, or has become restless, it is worth checking whether fleas have taken up residence in its fur. And if you notice bite marks on your legs, the chances of a flea infestation are even higher.
• Is flea control difficult? It can be difficult to eradicate fleas at home on your own, as they are difficult to spot and detect, and they jump far and fast, so we invite you to book a consultation and professional flea control. 

What symptoms can occur after a flea bites a person?

The symptoms of a flea bite are different. If the flea is infected or the person has had an allergic reaction, the symptoms may be more severe.

Typical symptoms of flea bites

• itching;
• skin irritation;
• discoloured ring around the bite site.

More severe symptoms of flea bites

• an allergic reaction with symptoms such as hives, rash, shortness of breath or body swelling;
• infection with flea-borne diseases. Symptoms include fever, head, body and abdominal pain, nausea, weight loss, dizziness, weakness, etc.

Why do flea bites itch?

Fleas feed on blood and release saliva into your bloodstream, which the body recognises as an allergen. The immune system then transports histamine (a biologically active substance, a mediator responsible for the immune response) to the site of the bite, helping to remove the allergen from the body.

It is histamine that makes flea bites itchy and swollen. Many people are allergic to flea bites.

How to treat flea bites?

Flea bites do not normally pose a risk to humans, so there is no need for any special treatment.

Over-the-counter flea treatments – special creams for after a flea bite or allergy medications (antihistamines) – can help relieve itching and discomfort. Hydrocortisone ointment is also suitable to reduce itching and swelling.

Never scratch the stung areas, as this increases the risk of transmitting infection. If you have scratched and broken the skin, wash and disinfect the stung area cleanly and apply a patch to it.

How to treat flea bites with home remedies?

• Ice. Cold compresses reduce inflammation, pain, swelling and itching. An ice pack should be applied to the broken area for at least 10 minutes.
• Aloe vera gel. The natural gel of aloe vera leaves contains salicylic acid, which relieves itching and pain. Conveniently, aloe vera gel can be applied directly to the wound.
• Chamomile tea. Chamomile flowers contain terpenoids and flavonoids, natural chemicals with antioxidant and antihistamine properties. Place a tea packet soaked in hot water and drained on the bite site.
• Honey. Honey also has itching and pain-relieving properties and the enzyme catalase, which helps treat minor inflammations. Honey can be applied directly to the bites and after a while washed off with lukewarm water.

As a reminder, professional flea control is probably the only reliable way to say goodbye to these bloodsuckers.