As a rule, an allergy to flea bites in humans manifests itself in the form of a skin reaction, and the child’s body reacts more sharply than that of an adult. Flea bites itch and cause redness, dermatitis, or skin rashes. The sooner you can relieve the itching from flea bites, the less likely it is to introduce infections into the wound when scratching. Therefore, if you are bitten by a flea, the first thing you should do is treat the bite site with a soothing lotion or other remedy.
In this article, we will look at the types of allergies to flea bites in humans, symptoms and possible complications.
Types of allergies and their dangers
A person can develop an allergy to flea bites through contact with different types of parasites, for example:
- Sand fleas cause health damage. Their females are especially dangerous, as they penetrate under the top layer of the skin. The bites are painful even in the absence of allergies.
- The main victims of the human flea are people. These insects are larger than other representatives of the genus.
- Rat fleas are more dangerous than others. Their bites can cause not only allergies, but also other diseases: typhoid, plague, encephalitis. Allergic reactions to these insects are rare. Most of the cases are registered in villages, villages or among residents of the basement.
- Allergies to dog and cat parasites develop most often. To avoid illness, you need to put special collars on your pets or buy medications in the form of drops for treating fur.
Pathology can cause complications. Due to severe itching, a person begins to scratch the wounds. In this case, they can become infected. In addition, the lack of timely treatment sometimes leads to anaphylactic shock.
Symptoms
What are the symptoms of this disease? The dog itches, bites, chews itself out, constantly scratching and damaging irritated areas of the body. May jump up suddenly to scratch. Favorite places for fleas to bite are the base of the tail, the back of the back, the groin, and the neck. Itching and lesions in these places can most likely indicate flea allergic dermatitis. If flea allergy symptoms are not treated promptly, it can lead to hair loss, bacterial growth, and serious skin problems. Even just one flea bite on a sensitive animal can cause a serious allergic reaction. On the Internet you can see a huge number of photos of flea dermatitis in dogs. These photographs do not make me smile. Dogs want to be helped as quickly as possible.
What do flea bites look like?
Unlike mosquitoes and bedbugs, fleas do not inject painkillers into the wound when they bite. Because of this, a person immediately feels when he has been bitten by a parasite. Similar sensations occur with injections. Redness at the site of the bite appears within a few seconds. In its center, where the skin was bitten, there is a spot. Sometimes flea bites look like abscesses.
Redness at the site of the bite.
As the flea injects enzymes under the victim's skin, an immune response occurs. The bitten area swells and itching develops. Symptoms persist for a long time, even if you do not scratch the affected area. The wound heals within a few days. Sometimes suppuration is observed.
Flea allergy in humans - first symptoms
If an animal infested with fleas lives in the house, then the presence of parasites can soon affect human health.
You can avoid unpleasant consequences if you know how a person’s flea allergy manifests itself and how it can be cured.
What do flea bites look like?
Can you be allergic to fleas? The bites of these parasites are not as dangerous for humans as for animals. But allergies to them are a common condition. It can provoke unpredictable consequences.
See the topic - Are fleas transmitted from animals to humans?
Identifying flea bites is quite simple. First of all, they are easy to feel. They resemble an injection. Unlike “human” bloodsuckers, mosquitoes and bedbugs, these parasites do not inject painkillers into the wound.
Flea bites on a person
A red spot appears on the bitten area. In its center there is another spot. This is a flea bite mark.
Note!
Often the bites look like abscesses.
Symptoms of a parasite attack
By biting into human skin, a flea injects certain enzymes that slow down blood clotting. An allergic reaction, which is an immune system response, is caused by these enzymes penetrating the skin.
The spots begin to swell and itch quite severely. The duration of flea bites is 3-4 days. The itching does not subside, the wound does not heal well. In some cases, the bite sites begin to fester.
In an adult
Bites are localized on the legs and feet. Sometimes they occupy other parts of the body. If fleas attack a person while he is sleeping, the upper limbs, armpits, and neck are affected.
Insects tend to make punctures on the skin in several places.
Most often, the distance between bites is 1-2 centimeters.
Fleas do not leave specific “bedbug” paths.
The child has
An allergy to a flea bite in a child is expressed in:
- Severe motor restlessness;
- Increased excitement;
- Stool disorder;
- Fever;
- Difficulty breathing;
- Increase in general temperature.
Flea bites in a child
In some cases, intoxication of the body develops. Urticaria is more common.
What is the danger?
The most serious consequences that can be caused by a flea allergy include:
- development of anaphylactic shock;
- development of serious pathologies;
- risk of infection in the wound.
How to help with flea bites
Considering that allergies to flea bites in humans are quite severe, action should be taken immediately.
You will need to do the following:
- Treat the bite site with an antiseptic;
- Cool the damaged area with an ice compress;
- Apply anti-itch remedy.
Usually these measures are sufficient. If they were taken in a timely manner, the unpleasant symptoms soon disappear.
Note!
If you have a very high body temperature, suppuration, headaches and hives, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.
These symptoms indicate severe intoxication.
First aid for flea bites
First of all, you need to wash your skin with warm water and soap. This helps create a barrier to infection.
These insects carry brucellosis and typhus. Therefore, the skin must be treated with antiseptic drugs.
Best to use:
- chlorhexidine;
- brilliant green;
- iodine;
- hydrogen peroxide.
Facilities
This helps relieve suppuration.
Then agents are applied to promote wound healing. It is best to use sulfur ointment or calamine lotion.
Neutralization of symptoms
The sign tells you how you can remove the unpleasant symptoms of flea bites.
| Symptom | How to remove |
| Severe itching, pain | The use of steroid ointments is recommended. The best remedies are Flucinar and Hydrocortisone. You can also use a baking soda solution to relieve itching. 1 teaspoon should be dissolved in 200 ml of warm water. This product should be used to clean the wounds. Use a soda solution at least 3 times/24 hours. |
| Inflammation, swelling | To eliminate these symptoms, you need to wrap a few ice cubes in gauze and wipe the skin. This way you can not only stop the itching, but also relieve swelling. |
| Other symptoms | If necessary, antihistamines such as Tavegil or Zodak are prescribed. |
Note!
Steroid ointments and antihistamines should be prescribed by a doctor.
The use of folk remedies
To eliminate unpleasant symptoms, it is recommended to make lotions from:
- Green tea decoction;
- Garlic paste;
- Calendula;
- Celandine;
- Dandelion;
- Parsley;
- Plantain.
Lotions are made twice a day - in the morning and before bedtime.
Preventive actions
It is very important to take measures to completely eliminate these parasites. To do this, you need to carefully examine your pets, and if insects are found, you need to take appropriate measures.
Note!
Their presence on the skin of the animal is indicated by dark brown fruits of vital activity.
Next, you will need to treat the living space with insecticides. Particular attention should be paid to upholstered furniture and carpets. They must first be vacuumed and then treated with products. The garbage bag from the vacuum cleaner must be disinfected immediately.
Conclusion
For disinfestation, it is best to use strong pharmaceutical products. Popular wisdom will not help here.
Video: Allergy to fleas in humans
Characteristic symptoms
The bitten area swells and is very itchy and itchy. The wound heals within 3-4 days. She will continue to itch until it heals. Adults are most often bitten on the legs and feet. On other parts of the body, bites are possible, but are rare. If insects attack during sleep, the neck, arms and armpits will be bitten. One insect tries to bite the victim several times. The distance between bites varies from 1 to 2 cm. Enlarged lymph nodes, increased body temperature, and development of urticaria are possible.
In rare cases, angioedema and anaphylactic shock develop. It is necessary to provide first aid to the patient as quickly as possible. Otherwise, death is possible.
Why fleas don't bite everyone
There are many hypotheses.
Blood type and Rh factor?
There is such a theory - insects love the blood of the first group, and ignore the second and third groups. It is not difficult to refute this theory. Scientists confirm that fleas bite people with different blood groups with equal pleasure.
Skin thickness?
Does anyone think that his skin is thicker than moose hide? Oh well. In general, that word - thick-skinned - has a different meaning among people. It is known that ticks study the victim’s body for a long time, choosing a place with softer skin. What about fleas? It is not known exactly. In my opinion, fleas bite where they can reach (jump).
Skin temperature, smells?
It is believed that if your body temperature is elevated and you are sweating intensely, you will be bitten. Possibly, but there is no evidence.
What else can you guess? Vitamin C concentration, weak immunity? Maybe you have heard some versions? Share in the comments.
I didn't find any reliable information. I assume that fleas bite everyone equally. But we react to bites differently. And here it would be appropriate to remember about allergies.
Flea bites are especially unpleasant for people prone to allergies.
Flea bites in a child
If parasites bite a child, the symptoms will be more severe. In addition to the manifestations characteristic of adults, there will be severe motor restlessness and excessive excitement. Children become capricious and may cry or show aggression. Characterized by stool disorders, increased body temperature, and difficulty breathing. Urticaria occurs. Sometimes symptoms of intoxication of the body are observed: a general asthenic state, weakness, lethargy, apathy, nausea, repeated vomiting.
Since children's skin is more delicate, wounds take longer to heal than those of adults. In addition, each bite causes changes in the composition of the blood.
The child was bitten by a flea.
Symptoms of a child attack
A child's body is much weaker and the reaction to a blood-sucking attack manifests itself in a more severe form. The child becomes very irritated, excited, and capricious. He is tormented by bites, and he cannot play, sleep, or rest normally, the baby cries and can even show aggression.
Body temperature rises, stool disorders are observed, and difficulty breathing can be observed. Urticaria may appear. In some cases, symptoms of intoxication appear, the child is very weak, sleepy, does not want to play, does not show interest in others, nausea and vomiting appear.
The affected areas on the body take a very long time to heal, and the child suffers from severe itching. When the parasite releases enzymes into the wound during an attack, they enter the blood, which changes its composition.
First aid for acute allergies
First you need to wash your skin. To do this, use warm water and laundry soap. A protective barrier is created that prevents pathogenic bacteria from entering the wounds. Since parasites carry typhus and brucellosis, you will have to treat the skin with antiseptics (hydrogen peroxide, brilliant green, iodine). The use of drugs in this group will prevent suppuration. You can use medications that stimulate regeneration processes. Sulfur ointment and calamine lotion are best.
If angioedema develops, you should immediately call an ambulance. The patient is calmed down. It is better if he takes a sitting position. Small children should be picked up. The patient is isolated from the source of the allergen. He will have to leave the insect-infested area. Tight clothes are removed from the victim, the buttons on the shirt are undone, the tie is undone, and the chains are removed from the neck. Drinking plenty of mineral water and soda solutions is recommended.
How to detect
Another important thing to know about fleas. These parasites are skilled camouflages. It is not always possible to see fleas on a pet. But if you don't see them, it doesn't mean they don't exist! The dog is itching - the first thing the owner should think about is fleas! After all, they come to their sacrifice as if they were going to a canteen. They feed and go into the environment.
But there is one reliable way to detect fleas on an animal. The so-called white paper test. To do this, you need to take a large sheet of white paper or fabric. Give the dog a good comb over him. Then use a damp cotton pad to blot everything that has been poured onto the sheet. If the contents leave brown spots, then this is digested blood in flea feces. A reliable sign of the presence of these parasites on the animal.
It is also a known fact that adults make up only 5% of the problem, and the remaining 95% of fleas in your home are in the form of eggs, larvae and pupae¹. They live mainly indoors where the infected animal lives. Believe me! Carpets, bedding, beds, furniture, and cracks in the floor will be densely populated by flea families. You won't achieve anything in the fight against fleas if you don't influence them too.
Neutralization of symptoms in adults
It is recommended to select treatment with a doctor. Before using any medicine or traditional medicine, consult an allergist or therapist. The patient must be removed from the flea-infested room. He will be able to return only after thoroughly treating the home with insecticides.
The use of folk remedies
A solution of baking soda helps. To prepare it, you will need to dissolve 1 tsp in 1 glass of warm water. substances. The solution should be used to wipe the wounds at least 3 times a day.
Ice will help get rid of inflammation and swelling. Several cubes are wrapped in gauze or other thin fabric, and then the skin in the affected areas is wiped. After this procedure, the bites itch less.
Soda for inflammation.
Lotions based on green tea, calendula decoction, celandine, dandelion, parsley or plantain help. They should be done 2 times a day: in the morning and before bedtime.
Medicines to stop allergies
To relieve pain and itching, use steroid ointments Hydrocortisone or Flucinar. For other symptoms, antihistamines are prescribed. Most often, Zodak and Tavegil are prescribed from this group of drugs. To relieve itching, use ointments and gels with local action, for example Fenistil. In severe forms of the disease, Advantan, Ketotifen, Suprastin are prescribed. Aggressive medications can only be taken as prescribed by the attending physician.
Sometimes allergies are accompanied by intense pain. In such situations, you will have to take painkillers (for example, Diclofenac).
Traditional methods
To get rid of severe itching, relieve severe inflammation and slightly improve the condition of the skin, you can use soda. To do this, you need to dissolve 1 teaspoon of baking soda well in a glass of warm water. Next, use a cotton swab to wipe the affected areas. This procedure must be done three times a day.
If swelling and inflammation appear on the skin, you can use regular ice. You need to take a piece of gauze or any fabric and wrap several pieces of ice in them. Then just apply and lightly wipe the wounds. This method will also help relieve some of the itching.
Calendula, plantain, celandine, parsley, dandelion, and green tea have a good effect on the skin. Decoctions are prepared from them and rubbed on the affected areas of the skin. This relieves inflammation, swelling, soothes the skin and promotes rapid healing. The procedure is carried out 2 times a day.
Treatment of children
Medicines used to treat adults are not suitable for children. It is necessary to select suitable medications and dosages taking into account the age and body weight of the child.
The wounds are washed and treated with an antiseptic. It is recommended to use hydrogen peroxide, brilliant green or chlorhexidine. Then they use preparations based on alcohol solutions for treatment.
The antihistamine drug Hydroxyzine is used. This drug is available from pharmacies only with a prescription. Diphenhydramine ointment for external use can also be used. This remedy helps well against allergic symptoms, but causes drowsiness in a person. Use with caution and only with a doctor's permission.
Folk remedies are also used. A compress with a mixture of honey and lemon juice will help. Apply solutions of apple cider vinegar, lotions with mint and bird cherry leaves, plantain and calendula juice. A mixture of ammonia and baking soda is also considered effective.
Treatment of the wound with Chlorhexidine.
