Treating and Preventing Flea Bites

With summer in full swing, fleas can start to become a problem.  After all, they don't call it the dog days of summer for nothing.  Flea bites are a common problem for people and animals, and are the result of fleas feeding on the blood.  While some people may only have a specific and very minor reaction to the fleas feeding site, some people will have a more drastic reaction that can lead to unsightly marks and potential scarring.  The unfortunate part of it is, you will never know how you will react until you are bitten.  Still, no matter what your reaction may be, there are ways to prevent and treat these injuries in your and your pet.  For starters, we'll say that you've already been bitten and cover the treatment options first, then later go into why you have the marks you do.

Treating Fleas Bites

When a flea bites, there are certain steps you should take to help prevent it from getting worse.  For most people, you will not get a single flea bite, but rather several.  If you think you may have flea bites, the first thing you need to do is make sure it was caused by a flea.  The picture to the right shows what a standard flea bite should look like,  Unfortunately, there are a number of other insects who can leave a highly similar mark, including flies, mosquitoes, and the ever dreaded bed bug.  The bite itself will look like a slightly raised bump, coming in either a whiter skin tone of a very red skin tone.  The coloration may spread outside the boundaries of the bump.  After a few days, they can turn into a scab or bloody spot, but this is usually due to scratching.  Here are the other tell-tale signs you have a flea bite.

1. Does your pet have fleas?  You can check them for fleas, flea dirt, eggs, or other signs of a flea infestation.  If they have a noticeable flea infestation, it is highly likely your bites are from a flea.
2. Check your mattress.  If you notice bloody spots under the mattress and in crevices, you may have bed bugs.  This is the most obvious sign of a bed bug infestation.
3. Have you been spending extended time outdoors?  Fleas are not likely to feed on a human as an initial host, so it is more likely something else bit you. 
4. Fleas will always start on your pet, then spread throughout your home, eventually biting you.  You will rarely, most likely never, be the first thing bitten in your home.  Start looking at the source.

After you have determined you have been bitten by a flea, it is then time to treat the source and the bites themselves.  As an important note, you will continue to be bitten by fleas as long as your pet and home are infested.  Eliminating fleas from your home is the first step in treating flea bites.
After you have been bitten, there are certain steps your should take to help ensure the best healing possible.  By following these instructions, you can help to prevent scarring and keep infection from setting in.

1. Wash the areas with warm water and antibacterial soap.  The warm water will help to disinfect, but may cause itching in the area.  Lather and rinse thoroughly, including a 6 inch diameter area around the bite or bites.  Pat dry.
2. When the itching starts, which it likely will, apply a cold compress.  This helps to reduce the itching sensation and the potential for scratching along with it.
3. Take either a topical or oral antihistamine.  This medication helps reduce the itching sensation, reducing the risk of an open wound developing and infection setting in.
4. Do not, under any circumstances, scratch your flea bites.  This will lead to them opening up, creating a compound wound, and creating the potential for infection.
5. Apply a steroidal or similar creme to help promote healing.  Most standard bug bite creams or medications should do just fine.

Most flea bites tend to heal within a week, but depending on your reaction, it may take up to three weeks.

Allergic Reactions to Flea Bites

Most people do not develop a very bad bite from a flea, but certain reactions in the human body can cause these very minor issues to become far more severe.  Most people do not fully realize just where the allergic reaction comes from.  Most people are not allergic to fleas themselves.  A flea secretes a certain chemical in its saliva that is used to keep blood flowing from an open wound while they are feeding.  The reaction itself is caused by the anti-coagulate and usually nothing else.  For others who have a more severe reaction, there are other things at work in your body.  If you have a dog or cat allergy, then your are more likely to have a more severe reaction to flea bites.  The reason?  You most likely were not the first thing the flea bit.  When the flea then bites you, you will wind up getting a little bit of dog or cat in you, leading to a more severe reaction.  An allergic reaction to flea bites in either case is not a very serious situation, and you will most likely only have a larger, itchier bite.

Remember, not all flea bites will display an outward symptom.  For many people, they may only have a slight red mark for a day and then be perfectly fine.  If you would like to keep from being bitten, fleas should be eliminated from your home as soon as possible.