What do fleas do to your body?

Fleas are tiny wingless insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals. They are a nuisance pest that can cause a number of health issues. When fleas bite, they inject saliva into the skin that contains proteins that can cause irritation and inflammation. Fleas can also transmit diseases and parasites. Understanding what fleas do to your body can help you take steps to prevent and treat flea infestations.

Flea Bites

Flea bites are the most common effect of fleas on humans. Fleas have mouthparts that are specialized for piercing skin and sucking blood. When they bite, they inject saliva into the skin that contains proteins that can cause allergic reactions.

Flea bites typically cause red bumps or swellings on the skin that are very itchy. The itching can be mild or severe depending on the individual. Scratching the bites can lead to infection or skin damage.

Some people may not have a reaction to flea bites at first. But with repeated exposure, they can develop an allergy to flea saliva. This can cause larger and more painful reactions with each subsequent bite.

The most common places fleas bite are around the ankles, waist, armpits, groin and areas where clothing fits tightly against the skin. The bites often appear in groups or clusters.

Treating Flea Bites

There are several ways to treat flea bites and relieve itching:

• Wash the bites with soap and water to remove saliva or debris from the bite site.
• Apply an anti-itch cream, calamine lotion, or hydrocortisone cream.
• Take an oral antihistamine like Benadryl to reduce swelling, itching and allergic reactions.
• Apply a cold compress to the bites to help soothe itching.
• Avoid scratching the bites to prevent infection.

See a doctor if the bites become infected or you have severe swelling. Signs of infection include redness, tenderness, oozing pus and lymph node swelling.

Allergic Reactions

Some people are highly allergic to flea bites. The saliva that fleas inject when they bite contains foreign proteins that can trigger immune system reactions in sensitive individuals.

Allergic reactions to flea bites can include:

• Hives or rashes around the bite site.
• Extreme itching and swelling.
• Anaphylaxis – a potentially life-threatening reaction that can cause throat swelling, difficulty breathing, nausea and dizziness.

Those with flea allergies may need prescription medications like steroid pills or injections to control symptoms. Avoiding exposure to fleas is also key.

Flea Dirt

Flea dirt is the dried fecal matter of fleas that is left behind on the skin after they take a blood meal. It is made up of digested blood and appears as tiny dark specks. The presence of flea dirt is one way to confirm flea bites.

Flea dirt can lead to skin irritation and secondary bacterial infections if it is scratched into bite lesions. It is important to wash flea dirt from the skin to prevent infection.

Flea Tapeworms

Fleas can transmit a species of tapeworm known as the flea tapeworm or Dipylidium caninum. Tapeworms are parasitic flatworms that live in the intestines.

When an infected flea bites and swallows blood, it also swallows tapeworm eggs. These eggs then hatch into larvae inside the flea. If the flea is ingested by an animal during grooming, the tapeworm larvae travel to the intestines and mature into adult tapeworms.

In humans, flea tapeworm infection may cause only mild symptoms or none at all. But some people experience abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss or vitamin deficiencies from the parasites robbing nutrition.

Flea tapeworms can be treated with medication prescribed by a doctor. Preventing fleas on pets can help break the parasite life cycle.

Plague

Fleas can transmit the bacteria Yersinia pestis that causes plague. Plague is a rare but serious bacterial illness that can be deadly without antibiotic treatment.

The most common form of plague is bubonic plague. This occurs when an infected flea bites and Yersinia pestis bacteria enter the skin and travel to the lymph nodes. The lymph nodes become swollen, painful and inflamed, forming a “bubo.”

Other symptoms of bubonic plague include:

• Fever and chills
• Headache, muscle aches and weakness
• Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea

Septicemic plague occurs when the infection spreads to the bloodstream. Pneumonic plague affects the lungs after inhalation of infected respiratory droplets. Both can be fatal.

Plague is treated with antibiotics. But without prompt treatment, mortality rates can be as high as 60-100%. Preventing fleas on rodents that can spread plague bacteria to fleas is key to protection.

Bartonellosis (Cat Scratch Fever)

Cat scratch fever is caused by a bacteria called Bartonella henselae or Bartonella quintana. It is transmitted through fleas from infected cats and can be spread to humans via flea feces that gets into open wounds.

Symptoms usually start 3-10 days after exposure and include:

• Swelling, redness, warmth at the bite or scratch site
• Fever, headache, fatigue
• Swollen lymph nodes near bite/scratch

Cat scratch fever symptoms are usually mild and resolve on their own. But antibiotics may be needed for those with weak immune systems. Preventing fleas on cats and proper wound care helps reduce the risk of cat scratch fever.

Flea-Borne Typhus

Flea-borne typhus, also called endemic or murine typhus, is caused by the bacteria Rickettsia typhi or Rickettsia felis. It is transmitted by fleas when infected flea feces are scratched into the bite site or enter through other wounds.

Symptoms of flea-borne typhus generally begin 6-14 days after exposure and include:

• Fever, chills, body aches
• Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain
• Headache, confusion
• Rash on body, sparing palms and soles

Without treatment, the fever and symptoms last 1-3 weeks. Complications like pneumonia, meningitis or heart disease can occur. Antibiotics, usually doxycycline, are used to treat flea-borne typhus.

Mycoplasma haemofelis

Mycoplasma haemofelis is a parasitic bacteria that can be transmitted by fleas. It infects and destroys red blood cells in cats leading to anemia. Rarely, humans in close contact with infected cats can also become infected if flea feces containing the bacteria enter open wounds.

In humans, M. haemofelis may cause fever, malaise, anemia, enlarged spleen and raised liver enzymes 1-4 weeks after exposure. The condition is treatable with antibiotics like doxycycline if caught early.

Flea Prevention

The best way to avoid the problems associated with fleas is through prevention. Here are some tips to help prevent fleas:

• Use veterinarian-recommended flea control products on all household pets like collars, oral medication and topical treatments.
• Wash pet bedding regularly in hot, soapy water to kill flea eggs and larvae.
• Vacuum carpets and furniture frequently to pick up flea eggs and debris.
• Wash any flea dirt off your skin to prevent skin infections.
• Avoid areas with excessive wild animal activity that could be infested with fleas.
• Inspect pets and yourself regularly for signs of fleas.
• Treat your home and yard if fleas are detected.

Treating a Home Flea Infestation

If fleas make it into your home, intensive treatment will be needed to eliminate them. Here are some steps for treating a flea infestation:

1. Wash all pets with flea shampoo then apply a monthly topical treatment like Frontline.
2. Wash all pet bedding on the hottest setting then allow to air dry in the sun.
3. Vacuum all floors daily, concentrating on areas beneath furniture and pet areas. Empty vacuums into sealed plastic bags after each use.
4. Use an insect growth regulator (IGR) spray or fogger to treat your home. IGRs prevent flea larvae from maturing.
5. Consider hiring a professional pest control company for whole-home heat treatments or fumigation in severe infestations.
6. Spray infested yards with insecticide or nematodes that kill flea larvae in soil.
7. Continue measures for 2-3 months until all life stages of fleas have been eliminated.

Conclusion

Fleas can certainly cause irritation and discomfort when they infest homes and bite humans. But they can also spread some concerning infectious diseases in rare cases. By understanding how fleas can impact your health and home, you can take proactive steps to protect yourself and your family.