The Dog Owner's Guide to Preventing Flea Bites on Humans

Flea bites on humans can be extremely itchy and are generally caused by dog fleas known as Ctenocephalides canis, cat fleas known as Ctenocephalides felis and human fleas known as Pulex irritans.

Fleas are blood sucking insects that feed on animals and use a wide range of hosts to transmit diseases. They can transmit infections such as the bubonic plague and typhoid. Dog fleas are small, wingless, reddish brown insects that bite both dogs and humans. Although they generally don’t transmit diseases from dogs to humans, the potential to do so does exist.

Symptoms of Flea Bites

  • Small, red, itchy bumps on the lower legs and around the waist
  • Scratching
  • Rash around the small, itchy bumps
  • Hives
  • Formation of lumps or lesions
  • Infections as a result of severe scratching

Prevention of Flea Bites on Humans

In order to prevent getting bitten by dog fleas, you should adopt flea control measures to rid your immediate surroundings and your pet, of fleas.

Brush your pet’s coat with an appropriate brush after an outing in a park or a grassy area. A flea comb rubbed with petroleum jelly is an effective way to remove fleas from your pet’s coat, as the fleas stick to the jelly. You can also use flea medications prescribed by your veterinarian in order to rid your pet of fleas.

Garlic in your pet’s diet makes fleas leave his coat promptly because fleas don’t like the taste of garlic on the skin. You should cut the grass in your lawn and clean your house regularly, to remove flea eggs and larvae. Pet bedding should also be washed regularly in hot water and the lawn should be treated for fleas with flea control pesticides.

Outdoor areas should be sprayed with insecticides to create a barrier against fleas. You may also set off bug bombs to eliminate fleas that live inside your home.

Apart from this, you must discourage other wild animals from coming to your property as animals like deer, squirrels, skunks and raccoons infest your property with parasites.

Commercial Treatments

Flea shampoos get rid of fleas in your pet’s coat. However, they rob the coat of natural oils, and hence regular use of such shampoos isn’t advised. Flea powders can be applied to your pet’s coat and you may run a flea comb through the hair after the powder has had time to act. In humans, fairer skinned individuals are more prone to flea bites than dark skinned individuals.

It’s best to prevent flea infestations rather than get rid of the fleas that exist on your pet. As a pet owner, you should notice any signs of flea infections exhibited by your pet. If a flea bite appears to be infected or doesn’t heal, make sure that prompt medical attention is provided, to rule out the development of any serious illnesses as a result of the bite. A course of antibiotics might have to be administered to prevent any complications from developing.
 

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