Fleas bites on humans

Posted on 08. Sep, 2010 by jonathankoenig in Uncategorized

Human Fleas!!

In most flea infestations of dogs and cats, it is not likely you are going to experience flea bites on humans as well.  In North America, the fleas that prefer to live on dogs and cats are not the same fleas that prefer to live on humans.  The flea species that is most commonly found on dogs and cats is C. felis, also known as the “cat flea.”  The flea species that is most commonly found on humans is P. irritans, also known as the “human flea.”  Therefore, most of the time, even if a dog or cat is infested with fleas, flea bites on humans are rarely seen.  Because of this, flea bites on humans should not be used to judge whether or not a dog or cat is infested with fleas.

While fleas on humans are not commonly seen, there are exceptions where fleas on humans can occur with high frequency.  Flea bites on humans can be seen when a dog or cat is so extensively infested with fleas that they have become overpopulated.  The fleas will be facing too much competition for feeding on the dog or cat and will start biting the humans that are close by.  Flea bites on humans can also be seen in the rare instances where a dog or cat is infested with the P. irritans flea.  While this flea is not commonly recognized as a problem for dogs and cats, it has been known to live on dogs and cats.  The concern with the P. irritans flea biting humans is that it can transmit serious diseases, such as the plague (Yersinia pestis) and typhus.

As with mosquito bites and other insect bites, some people are more prone to flea bites that others.  And some people have more severe reactions to flea bites than others.  Flea bites on humans tend to occur most frequently on the lower legs and trunk.  Many people say to look for bites in groups of three.  But, more realistically, flea bites can come in any number (however, they are usually not single bites like mosquito bites).  Flea bites on humans tend to be very itchy and will quickly become red and raised.

Obviously, the best way to prevent fleas and flea bites on humans, is to keep the fleas away from humans.  This can be done with proper hygiene and with flea prevention on the pets those humans have contact with.

eas!

In most flea infestations of dogs and cats, it is not likely you are going to experience flea bites on humans as well. In North America, the fleas that prefer to live on dogs and cats are not the same fleas that prefer to live on humans. The flea species that is most commonly found on dogs and cats is C. felis, also known as the “cat flea.” The flea species that is most commonly found on humans is P. irritans, also known as the “human flea.” Therefore, most of the time, even if a dog or cat is infested with fleas, flea bites on humans are rarely seen. Because of this, flea bites on humans should not be used to judge whether or not a dog or cat is infested with fleas.
While fleas on humans are not commonly seen, there are exceptions where fleas on humans can occur with high frequency. Flea bites on humans can be seen when a dog or cat is so extensively infested with fleas that they have become overpopulated. The fleas will be facing too much competition for feeding on the dog or cat and will start biting the humans that are close by. Flea bites on humans can also be seen in the rare instances where a dog or cat is infested with the P. irritans flea. While this flea is not commonly recognized as a problem for dogs and cats, it has been known to live on dogs and cats. The concern with the P. irritans flea biting humans is that it can transmit serious diseases, such as the plague (Yersinia pestis) and typhus.
As with mosquito bites and other insect bites, some people are more prone to flea bites that others. And some people have more severe reactions to flea bites than others. Flea bites on humans tend to occur most frequently on the lower legs and trunk. Many people say to look for bites in groups of three. But, more realistically, flea bites can come in any number (however, they are usually not single bites like mosquito bites). Flea bites on humans tend to be very itchy and will quickly become red and raised.
Obviously, the best way to prevent fleas and flea bites on humans, is to keep the fleas away from humans. This can be done with proper hygiene and with flea prevention on the pets those humans have contact with.