Can cat fleas bite humans?

Fleas feed on blood from mammals, where both humans and animals are mammals. Thus the simple answer to: does cat fleas bite humans is yes. Although fleas still prefer pets as their host, they are more than willing to feed on humans too!

But don’t panic! In this article you will have a complete guide on:

• Who at risk of flea bites?
• What flea bites on humans look like?
• How do you know if its a flea bite or other biting insect bites?
• How to treat flea bites on skin?
• What are the best solutions for flea problem at home?

Who at risk of flea bites?

Yes, humans will be vulnerable or at risk of flea bites, especially when they keep pet like cats at home. Your home might be infested by these wingless parasites back home, especially if they spend time or live outdoors.

Learn more: Where do cat fleas come from?

Cat fleas cannot fly as they do not have wings, but they can jump many times longer than their own body length. They are 3 mm long and have an incredible ability to jump just as good vertically and horizontally (about 6 inches vertically and 13 inches horizontally).

What are the symptoms of flea bites on humans?

The most common indication of a flea infestation at your place is the appearance of flea bites on your skins.

Below are the symptoms of flea bites on humans:

• Intense itching and might also become painful.
• Red, appear in small grouped round-shaped bumps and sore when touched.
• Often appear on the lower body parts, such as feet, ankle and lower legs.
• Although is very rare, flea bites also can be found in other parts of the body such as armpit, waist and elbow.
• Some people may develop into allergic reactions to flea bites, such as dizziness, hard to breathe, nausea and chest pain.

Things you have to know: flea bites vs other insects bites

Learn more on the easiest way to differentiate between flea and other biting insects like bed bug and mosquitoes.

Flea bites vs bed bug bites on humans

Most people are often mistaken to distinguish between fleas and bed bugs, since both of them are tiny insects who feed on mammal’s blood. Whereas one of the easiest ways to distinguish between these two is by looking at the patterns and locations of their bites.

Fleas most often bite people around the ankles and the legs. Whilst, bed bug bites on humans often occur on the upper body parts that close to blood vessels near the skin’s surface, such as arms, necks and hands.

Unlike bed bug bites, which often appear in a line or row along an exposed area, flea bites are small and often appear in groups of three or more.

Flea bites vs mosquito bites on humans

In regards to its body shape, certainly is not difficult at all to distinguish between fleas and mosquitoes. But how easy to distinguish between these two insect bites?

Both flea and mosquito bites can appear at any time. However, mosquito bites appear in large itchy bumps, while flea bites appear very small with a central red spot. Mosquito bites can be found throughout the body, whereas flea bites appear in group and will rarely appear in upper-body parts.

How to treat flea bites on human skin?

In most cases, flea bites don’t hurt humans and will disappear by itself. But, some people are very sensitive to flea bites, because it causes some allergic reactions that require a medical emergency immediately.

If you have flea bites on the skin, follow these few suggestions below to treat your flea bites problems:

• First of all, you must resist the urge to scratch. Infection may occur in doing so!
• Wash the bites with an antiseptic soap as soon as possible on the affected area to avoid infection.
• Reduce swelling and itching on the skin by compresses the skin by using an ice pack.
• Use calamine lotion and/or anti-itch topical cream which contains menthol ingredients to relieve persistent itching.

However, you must stay alert and seek medical care if the bites become infected due to scratching and the itch doesn’t alleviate within a week – even after applying anti-itch topical cream to the skin.

Professional flea control for home

Fleas aren’t just skilled jumpers, but they also notoriously tough due to their very strong exoskeletons. These wingless and brownish blood-sucking insect also are hard to spot because they had a tiny size and move so fast along in many places, from animal’s body, carpet fibres or within cracks and crevices on furniture.

Thus, if you feel that you have spotted flea bites on your body, contact an expert in flea removal at Rentokil pest control right away! A pest control professional can provide you with the best services and solutions to fully remove a flea infestation from your home.