What Are Flea Bites Like And How Long Do They Last?
Flea bites do not usually bring great complications. However, if unusual symptoms occur or the injury is slow to heal, it is best to see your doctor.
Flea bites rarely have serious consequences, but they can cause health problems as a complication. That is why the presence of these annoying insects in the home should not be underestimated and it is best to eradicate them.
Fleas are very small and quite hardy: they can last up to a year without eating. They feed on the blood of mammals and have a hard body that protects them from attempts to destroy them; in addition, they reproduce copiously.
Flea bites
Flea bites can cause anything from a simple annoyance to bubonic plague, in a few cases. The usual thing is that his victim does not even know what has bitten him or at what time, or in what place the attack occurred.
It is common for there to be redness in the area where the bite occurred. It is also common for this to cause itching. However, symptoms can vary dramatically from person to person.
Flea bites appear in the area of the ankles and legs, since it is the region closest to the ground and is discovered in the summer. They also frequently occur in the waist, breasts, groin, and armpits or the creases of the elbows and knees.
They almost always appear between two and three bites, sometimes arranged in a straight line. There is itching and some irritation on the skin that varies in intensity based on the type of epidermis of the person. On the other hand, some do not have any symptoms.
How to recognize flea bites?
Flea bites look like red bumps with a little dot in the center. They are very similar to mosquito bites. However, the former are smaller lesions and are usually surrounded by a pinkish halo.
The usual arrangement of flea bites is in a row, since these insects do not fly and their traditional way of attacking is by biting, taking a few steps and biting again. Often the wound bleeds, so traces of such bleeding are found on sheets or clothing.
Problems generated by bites
In most cases, flea bites only cause mild symptoms such as itching, irritation of the area, and itching. The lesion can become infected, and if this occurs, there is pus, increased redness, and warmth in the affected area.
In some people, these types of bites can trigger an allergic reaction. It ranges from more intense irritation in the area to difficulty breathing. Symptoms take 12 to 24 hours to appear.
Hives may develop in people with dermatitis. The sting causes an injury and this can also become a gateway for bacteria to the body. That is why it is always advisable to treat it.
The risk of getting serious disease from flea bites is very low. However, it is not ruled out either. These animals can transmit diseases such as typhus or bubonic plague.
How long they last and how to treat them
Although the lesion caused by a flea bite usually disappears on its own in a day or two, it is always better to clean the area well to avoid complications. It is best to wash the affected part with mild soap and water.
The itching can be reduced with ice or with a cream that contains antihistamines or corticosteroids. If there is an allergic reaction, symptoms such as the following may appear:
- Swelling in other areas of the body.
- Intense and durable redness, with increased itching.
- Dizziness, vomiting, and fainting.
- Hives all over the body.
- Blurry vision.
- Difficulty breathing.
Those symptoms require medical assistance. Similarly, if the discomfort persists for more than two days or unusual symptoms are experienced, such as fever or some other reaction, it is best to consult the doctor.
Eradicate fleas as a solution
To avoid the inconvenience and risks of flea bites, it is best to eradicate these bugs from the house. It is very common that they come from pets and, therefore, it is advisable to treat them according to the instructions of the veterinarian.
Fleas tend to settle on carpets, so you have to vacuum them well and throw the bag of waste outside the home. It is also advisable to wash bedding very well and keep mattresses sanitized. In extreme cases, a pest control service can be hired.
