Flea Bites on Humans

Are you having itchy reddish-purple spots on your skin surface? You may be suffering from a flea bite. Read on to know all about Flea bites on humans.

Flea Bites On Humans

Fleas are small insects that belong to the order Siphonaptera. These are wingless pests that suck on the blood of humans by piercing the skin surface with their powerful bristles. This leads to the development of small red, elevated spots over the skin surface. These are very itchy and cause extreme discomforts.

Picture 1 – Flea Bites on Humans
Source – mybugbites

When a flea bites a human, it injects an anticoagulant (substance that prevents clotting of blood). The presence of this coagulant activates the immune system of the body. The immune system supposes the coagulant to be an allergen and produces a natural response. An inflammation occurs in the bitten spot as a consequence.

What Do Flea Bites On Humans Look Like?

An area of the skin bitten by a flea looks like a red swollen spot with a small point of puncture in the middle.

Picture 2 – Flea Bites on Humans Image
Source – hardinmd.lib.uiowa.edu

Flea Bites On Humans Symptoms

Some of the main symptoms of flea bites on humans are:

• Development of elevated rashes or spots, about 1 inch in size
• Inflammation in the bitten spot
• Itchiness in the just developed rash
• Redness of the affected spot
• Pain in the bitten region

The symptoms can last from a few minutes to several days depending on the sensitivity of a person. Some individuals may suffer from secondary infections on scratching the affected area. Some people may develop no symptoms at all even weeks after being repeatedly bitten by fleas. Certain individuals may suffer from some amount of bleeding, particularly if they scratch the bitten area.

Flea Bites On Humans Diagnosis

Physical examination of the affected spot is generally enough to diagnose this condition. No additional testing is required to check for traces of coagulant in blood.

Flea Bites On Humans Treatment

Picture 3 – Flea Bites on Humans
Source – fixfleas

Medical treatment for flea bites on humans involves:

Application of Hydrocortisone creams

Sparingly apply a Hydrocortisone cream over the bitten area. This will reduce inflammation in and around the bite and also helps relieve itchiness. You can also mix some Benadryl with 1% of Hydrocortisone cream to apply on these bites and get immediate relief.

Oral antihistamines

Oral intake of antihistamines can reduce allergies and itchy symptoms. However, these medicines can give rise to side effects such as drowsiness. Chlortrimeton and Benadryl are two popular oral antihistamine brands.

Calamine Lotion

Applying Calamine Lotion on the affected spot can provide a soothing effect to sufferers and reduce inflammation and itchiness.

How To Treat Flea Bites On Humans Naturally?

Combine one part Apple Cider Vinegar with two parts water. Pour the solution into a spray bottle. Apply this to saturate the bites. You should not use this on open sores as the vinegar may lead to stinging sensations.

Place the peel of one whole lemon in a cup of boiled water. Cover this and let it soak overnight. Pot the mixture into one medium-sized spray bottle. Spray over the bite to saturate it.

Pour 1-2 tsp baking powder into a cup of water. Cover the bitten region with baking powder paste. This will reduce discomforting sensations like itchiness and pain. It is one of the best treatments for flea bites on humans.

Press a cold pack over the flea bite to reduce inflammation and redness of the region.

Once you have suffered a bite, wash the area with an antiseptic soap or lotion. Clean the area properly with washcloth, soap and water. This will keep the bitten area clean. Use cold water and not hot water to clean the region as it may stimulate more itchiness. You should also refrain from scratching the region with unclean hands as you may suffer from open wounds as well as secondary infections.

Cat Flea Bites On Humans

Cat fleas or Ctenocephalides Felis are tiny, wingless creatures that can cause very itchy bites. These pests are unable to fly but have powerful legs that can help them jump to a height of about 18 inches. They commonly bite legs and ankles of human beings and occasionally also sting other regions of the body like elbows, waists and even armpits.

Cat flea bites can give rise to small bumps that are reddish or pinkish in color. These arise as elevated rashes and are extremely itchy in nature. Scratching these bumps can give rise to secondary infections. Anesthetic creams, calamine lotions and ice pack application can provide relief from itchiness in the swollen bumps. If you are suffering from multiple cat flea bites, it is best to seek proper medical treatment from doctors.

Sand Flea Bites On Humans

A bite of a sand fly or Tunga Penetrans is very severe in nature. This pest is common in areas like North Africa, South East Asia, the Mediterranean, The Middle East, the Caribbean and Central America. Sand Fly bite gives rise to inflammation and itchiness. The symptoms can be controlled by analgesics (painkillers) in the form of ibuprofen gel, ice packs and topical creams containing anti-histamines. These flies serve as carriers of various types of disorders.

It may also give rise to fever and other disorders like Leishmaniasis. Leishmaniasis is a more dangerous and painful variation of malaria. Sodium Stibogluconate is regarded to be the most effective cure for treating Leishmaniasis, especially the recurring variations.

Flea Bites On Humans Pictures

Here are some pictures of flea bites on humans that you may find quite useful. Take a look at these images of flea bites on humans to know what flea bite spots look like on the surface of human skin.

Image 4 – Flea Bites on Humans Photo
Source – hardinmd.lib.uiowa.edu

Image 5 – Flea Bites on Humans Picture
Source – asktheexterminator

Flea bites on humans are completely curable. With proper care and treatment, these itchy rashes can go away very quickly and may not recur except in rare circumstances. If you are suffering from a single flea bite rash, natural remedies at home can be enough for cure. But if you have multiple rashes, it is best to seek medical treatment from professional healthcare providers.

References:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001329.htm

http://www.catsofaustralia.com/catfleasdogfleashumanfleas.htm

http://www.getridof-fleas.com/flea-bites-on-humans.html

http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/fleas/overview.html