In this article, we’ll find out whether it is possible to get fleas on humans? Can fleas actually live on humans? If so, how to get rid of them? We will also teach you how to remove fleas in human hair and other informative details.
Can humans actually get bitten by fleas? The answer is (unfortunately) YES.
When fleas invade the house, both pets and humans are at risk of being bitten. Although having flea attacking humans are rare, we are also at risk of getting transmitted diseases from the bacteria and viruses that fleas carry.
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Flea Bites On Human
It’s rare to see fleas or flea bites on humans as compared to your pet dog or cat because the fleas are likely brought in by your pets in the first place. Cats and dogs are also much nearer to the floor surface (which is why flea bites on humans are often seen at the ankle or other areas below the knee). Humans can also get flea bites on our forearms likely due to petting and stroking our pets.
How Do Flea Bites Look Like?
Flea bites on humans are usually in groups or in clusters of small red dots (similar to bed bug & mosquito bites, except much smaller). Little bumps might also occur depending on how sensitive is the skin and in more severe cases, bubbles might also develop (and can possibly cause allergic reactions).
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The redness developed can last anywhere from a few hours to several days, depending on severity of the bite and individual’s skin reaction.
[May: The bump left by Flea bites actually feels more like pimple bumps.]
Signs and symptoms of a flea bites in humans includes:
- Redness
- Hives
- Itchiness
- Rashes (I.e small clusters of bumps)
- Swelling around the bitten area
In more serious cases, symptoms of human allergic reactions to flea bites include:
- Fever
- Slight breathing difficulty
- Lips or tongue swelling
- Dizziness or Nausiness
- Shortness of breath
Do Flea Bites Itch? How To Stop Flea Bites From Itching?
Flea bites can cause intense itching. Scratching them only intensifies the inch and can damage the wound which might lead to a secondary infection. Fortunately, itching caused by flea bites can be eased using some treatments like anti-itch lotions, creams or ointments.
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Here are the simple things to help ease the itch:
- Wash wounded area to get rid of dirt and bacterias.
- Tea tree oil also helps relieve itching.
- Apply anti-itch creams or lotions (see below for a few good ones).
Gold Bond Rapid Relief Cream
Aveeno Anti-Itch Lotion
Benadryl Cooling Anti-Itch Gel
If the itching is really extreme, an oral antihistamine might help (try the Benadryl Allergy Tablets).
More more serious case like an allergic reaction, see a doctor for a prescription of stronger antihistamines.
>> Also read: Where Do Fleas Come From
Fleas in Human Hair
In some rare cases, fleas can and will infest the hair of human in the absence of cats’ and dogs’ fur. If left untreated, fleas in human hair can result in flea bites in the scalp or lead to fleas taking shelter in the hair and crawling down to bite on the neck area.
Getting fleas off the body is straightforward and only requires a hot bath/ shower or bath with throughout soaping. More attention and efforts are needed for flea problems in thick head of hair or even a full and thick beard.
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How To Get Rid Of Fleas In Your Hair
Here are some home remedies you can use to help get rid of fleas in human hair:
Flea shampoo – There’s no flea shampoo designed specifically for humans so in this case, we’ll be using a flea shampoo for dogs. Opt for a natural and gentle version and it will go fine without affected the PH in our hair. Simply apply shampoo as you normally would and wash off using warm water.
Tea Tree Oil Based Shampoos – Tea Tree oil is anti-parasitic and antimicrobial in nature, which makes them effective in killing fleas and flea eggs in hair. You can also drop a few drops of tea tree oil to your shampoo instead.
Dish Soap – As crazy as it sounds, dish soup is a common remedy for getting rid of fleas. Opt for lemon scented ones and apply it the hair and wait for 10 – 15 minutes before washing off.
Apple Cider Vinegar – The acidic property in Apple Cider Vinegar helps kill flea eggs and keep fleas away. Simply mix some apple cider vinegar with warm water, and rub mixture all over the hair and scalp (a shower cap will be useful). Wash mixture off after leaving it for 10 – 15 minutes.
Baking Soda Paste – While not as strong as the other remedies listed, this mixture does work. Mix baking soda and salt with water into a paste form, and apply it to the hair. Leave paste on for 10 minutes and wash off using warm water (no shampoo is needed after that).
Final Thoughts
Here’s the good news, fleas do not thrive on human the body (or even in the hair). That said, flea bites on humans can cause discomfort and even lead to serious consequences.
If you do get flea bites, chances are that your pet dog or cat has flea on them. If you don’t own a pet, then you might need to search the living area for signs of fleas and ticks.
Have you ever had the experience of getting flea bites? What was the cause and what did you do to get rid of them? Please leave a comment to share with us.