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A fleabite on a human may appear as a small, discolored bump. It may present with a ring or halo around the bite and may be in a straight line or cluster.

Human and non-human animals are at risk of fleabites, which can be itchy and painful. Fleas can also carry human diseases. The most famous example of this was the plague.

Owning a pet increases the risk of a flea infestation, but it is not only pet-owners who are at risk. 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. This MNT Knowledge Center article will also give advice on keeping your home and pets free of fleas.

Fast facts on fleabites

  • Fleas mainly feed on non-human animals but can bite and infect humans. They can be difficult to remove from the home and can survive for more than 100 days without a host.
  • Bites from fleas can trigger allergic reactions, but they will not often have a serious impact on a person’s health.
  • Fleabites will normally be very small with a central red spot, often appearing in groups of three or four.
  • Blisters form on bed bug bites but not fleabites.
  • Regularly clean and vacuum floors, furniture, bedding, and skirting boards to reduce the risk of flea infestation.
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Flea bitesShare on Pinterest
Flea bites often appear as groups of small scabs. The pictured example is a severe case.

Fleabites on humans usually appear around the feet, ankles, or legs.

If uncontrolled, fleas can spread across the body and bite anywhere, especially on people with dense areas of hair on their legs or chest.

  • The bites themselves will be very small with a central red spot.
  • They often appear in groups of three or four and sometimes appear in a line.
  • Fleabites will often form a small scab surrounded by a light red halo.

As many fleabites do not produce a reaction in humans, they may well go unnoticed.

How 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 adult fleas who have not 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.

Most people will not develop noticeable symptoms from a fleabite. In general, fleas do not carry diseases.

Small children and people who are allergic may have a bad reaction. This can include swelling and itching. The skin may become irritated and painful around the bite, and sometimes hives and a rash will appear. Scratching the bite can cause a secondary infection.

In most cases, fleas will be a nuisance and can indicate a household infestation that needs to be dealt with, but they will cause no serious symptoms.

Complications

There are two primary complications from fleabites. These are allergic reactions and secondary infections.

If a person is bitten and begins to show the following symptoms, they should seek medical attention immediately:

  • difficulty breathing
  • nausea
  • swelling of the lips or face

A flea bite may also become infected. If the affected person has swollen glands, extreme pain around the bite, or excessive redness, they should speak with a doctor.

In some cases, fleas carry diseases that can be transmitted through bites, such as flea-borne spotted fever, plague, typhus, and cat scratch fever.

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It is important to distinguish flea bites from the bites of other insects.

Many people are concerned about bed bugs while traveling, and the bites of fleas and bed bugs are easily confused.

It is important to know the differences between the bites of these common parasites to avoid treating the wrong symptoms and infestation.

A fleabite will appear as a tiny red bump surrounded by a small patch of inflamed skin. Bites will also tend to continue to occur during a home infestation.

A bed bug bite will look more like that of a mosquito with a large, raised, irritated area. However, mosquito bites tend to be larger and do not appear in patterns.

Mosquito bites mostly occur around sunset or at night. A flea can bite at any time.

Because of their habitat, the bed bug will produce intermittent bites. Both will itch, but bed bug bites can appear more inflamed.

Fleabites generally occur in small clusters on easily accessible skin. They can be anywhere on the body, but bites on feet and ankles are most common. Bed bug bites tend to appear in a straight pattern. Although they can also appear anywhere, they are most likely on the face, neck, and arms.

The biggest difference between the two is the possibility of blisters forming on bed bug bites.

Treatments for fleabites can range from simple home remedies to medications. available to purchase over the counter or online. These include:

To avoid a secondary infection, it is important that people do not try to scratch fleabites. Treating the bites will help reduce the itching. In most cases, fleabites will resolve without treatment.

What to do if a pet has fleas

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It is important to know how to clear the flea infestation of a pet.

Pets are the most common way for fleas to enter the home.

As a result, it is important to understand how to resolve a flea infestation and implement flea prevention in the home.

Pet owners should consult a vet to determine if their pet has any health problems caused by fleas. The vet can suggest a number of inexpensive and effective flea treatments.

After treating the pet, the infestation will need to be removed from the home. Fleas can be difficult to destroy, so people might want to consult a professional exterminator to learn more.

If you are not sure whether your home has fleas, walk around your home wearing white socks. The presence tiny black bugs on the bottom of your socks probably indicates a flea infestation.

Tips on removing fleas

There are a number of ways to rid the home of fleas.

Make sure both pets and the home environment receive cleansing treatment. Fleas can survive for more than 100 days without a host.

Take the following steps:

  • Discard the dust bag from any vacuum cleaners after every use.
  • Regularly clean and vacuum furniture, floors, skirting boards, and bedding.
  • Only treat your pet with recommended or prescribed anti-flea medication.

Most fleas that infest a home will be cat fleas or dog fleas. These are more of a threat to the health of your pet than any humans in the home.

Maintaining good hygiene in the home is crucial to make any flea infestations manageable.