Fleas
Overview:
Fleas
are highly specialized, wingless parasites that
are found throughout the world. They are most
prevalent in warmer months although they can be
found year round in warm/humid regions. They are
around 1.5-3mm long, brown, hard bodied insects
with specialized mouth parts which are used to
feed on the blood of their host.
There three most common types of fleas that are
a problem to humans, these are;
-
Cat
flea (Ctenocephalides felis) - These are the
most common type of flea in the world & in
fact dogs are more commonly infected with
cat fleas than dog fleas.
-
Dog
flea (Ctenocephalides canis)-Dog
fleas are relatively rare & most flea
infestations in dogs are caused by the cat flea.
-
Human
flea (Pulex irritans)-Despite the
name, human fleas more commonly infect pigs than
humans.
Only
5% of living fleas are adult. The rest are eggs,
larvae & pupae, found within the environment.
Flea bites:
Fleas feed on the blood of warm blooded mammals
& are capable of surviving months without food.
Cat & dog fleas don't generally live on humans,
but they will bite a human if the opportunity
presents itself. When a flea bites, it injects
saliva which contains 15 known allergens, each
one is capable of causing an allergic reaction
which results in itching. If scratching occurs,
this may lead to secondary infections. Flea
bites typically occur on the lower legs in
humans.
In some pets, even one bite can lead to an
allergic reaction known as flea allergy
dermatitis which results in itching,
crusting & scabbing in the affected area.
Symptoms
of a flea bite:
You may not
notice you have been bitten by a flea. However,
common symptoms of flea bites include;
-
A small
raised bump.
-
Redness
& itching.
How
to treat flea bites:
In humans, the best way to treat & control flea
bites includes;
-
Don't scratch, that will only make the bite
itch more & increase the chances of a
secondary infection.
-
Wash the
area with an antiseptic soap to reduce the
chance of infection.
Controlling the itch of a
flea bite:
-
Apply an anti-itch medication, an ice pack
or calamine lotion to the area.
-
Apply a
hydrocortisone cream.
-
If the
area becomes very swollen, see your
pharmacist for an anti-histamine medication.
-
See your
doctor if the area becomes infected or if
you begin to feel unwell.
Signs of fleas:
The most obvious sign is itching. Your pet may
also bite his fur & skin.
You may also notice flea
droppings on your pet's bedding. If you are
unsure, stand your pet on a white piece of
paper, rough up it's fur a little & then lightly
spray the paper with a demister. If you have
very small brown specks which leave red stains
on the paper then that is a sure sign your pet
has fleas.
Some pets allergic to fleas & this will cause
flea allergy dermatitis. Symptoms include;
-
Frequent scratching & biting of the fur,
especially on the back & the base of their
tail.
-
Raised bumps (papules) or scabs on the skin
-
Thinning fur in the affected area.
How to get rid of fleas:
You must get rid of fleas on both your pet (if
you have one), and in your home. Read this
article on
how to get rid of fleas here.
Fleas & disease:
Not only are fleas a nuisance, they are also a
vector for a variety of diseases. They are
credited with spreading the bubonic plague from
rats to humans in the 1300's & 1600's.
