Flea bites: symptoms, causes, to treatment

Definition

What are flea bites?

Fleas are small animals that can bite by attaching themselves to skin and by sucking blood. Fleas live on the feathers of various birds and other animals.

Fleas are attracted to humans and four-legged pets such as dogs and cats, and can easily move around with ease. If you are outdoors, you may also have been exposed to fleas.

It is important to get rid of the fleas as soon as possible. Getting rid of fleas helps you to avoid diseases carried by ticks. Removing head lice can prevent infection of the skin bitten by lice.

How common is this condition?

Head lice live outdoors on:

• Grass
• Tree
• Bush
• A pile of leaves

If you are outside hiking or playing, you can get tick bites. Fleas can also attach themselves to pets, or transfer to you when you touch your pet.

Fleas can also leave you and transfer to pets.

This condition can be treated by reducing risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of a tick bite?

Flea bites are usually harmless and may not produce any symptoms. However, if you are allergic to tick bites, you can experience:

• Pain or swelling at the bite area
• Rash
• Burning sensation in the bite area
• Blister
• Difficulty breathing

Some ticks carry disease, which can be transmitted by bites. Flea-borne diseases can cause a variety of symptoms and usually appear within a few weeks of the tick bite. Potential symptoms of a tick-borne disease include:

• Sections or red rash around the bite area
• Rash all over the body
• Stiff in the neck
• Headache
• Nausea
• Weakness
• Muscle or joint pain
• Fever
• Shivering
• Swollen lymph glands

Be sure to seek immediate medical help if a tick bite causes serious symptoms.

When should I see a doctor?

Seek medical help immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. Quoted from Medical News Today, tick bites are usually harmless. However, a visit to the doctor can keep you from the fatal illnesses caused by this condition.

Seek immediate medical attention if you are unable to completely remove the lice body from the skin. The longer the ticks stay on your skin, the higher the risk of developing other diseases.

A doctor should also check for any rashes that develop at the site of the bite. A small lump may be normal, but a larger size could be a sign of Lyme disease.

You also need immediate treatment if you experience flu-like symptoms after being bitten by a tick. Immediate treatment can increase the chances of a full recovery.

If you have any signs or symptoms above or any other questions, please consult your doctor. Everyone's body is different. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.

Cause

What causes tick bites?

Although most tick bites do not transmit pathogens, some bites do transmit pathogens. Determining whether ticks carry pathogens cannot be seen visually.

The following is a list of common tick-borne diseases, common tick vectors and tick-borne pathogens:

• Tularemia - Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick; wood tick) (hard tick) and Amblyomma americanum or lone star tick (hard tick) - vectors for bacteria Francisella tularensis
• Anaplasmosis (human granulocytic anaplasmosis or HGA) - species Ixodes (hard tick) - vector for bacteria Anaplasma phagocytophilum
• Colorado tick fever - Dermacentor Andersoni (hard tick) - vector for Coltivirus, an RNA virus
• Powassa encephalitis - Ixodes and Dermacentor andersoni species (hard ticks) - vector for Powassan encephalitis virus, RNA arbovirus
• Babesiosis Species - Ixodes (hard ticks) - vector for Babesia, protozoan
• Ehrlichiosis - Amblyomma americanum or lone star ticks - vectors for Ehrlichia chaffeensis and other bacterial species Ehrlichia ewingii

Risk factors

What increases my risk for tick bites?

People passing through grassy areas and forests are at higher risk for tick bites, especially during the months April to September.

People who travel to these areas without the need or for recreation are more at risk than people who protect themselves with special clothing and repellents containing DEET.

In addition, people with pets who had been given flea repellents were less likely to be bitten by fleas.

People who live near tall grassy areas or forests are at a higher risk for tick bites.

Drugs & Medicines

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How are tick bites diagnosed?

There is no test that can identify a tick bite once the tick leaves the body. However, the doctor can examine the whole body for lice, rashes or signs of tick disease.

If ticks are identified, the doctor may choose additional tests to be performed as some ticks may carry certain pathogens.

Identification of the tick genus and species can help the doctor determine what further tests are needed. For example, blood tests for diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Ehrlichiosis and tularemia are generally not positive within a few weeks of exposure, although symptoms may appear.

Knowledge of the type of tick causing the bite can help rule out a diagnosis and help doctors start therapy early before a positive diagnosis.

What are the treatments for this condition?

It is important to get rid of fleas from your skin as soon as possible. Use fine tipped tongs.

Hold the tick as close to the surface of the skin as possible. While applying pressure, pull the tick up, away from the skin. You don't want to bend the flea's body.

After removing the lice, you will also need to remove the mouth parts of the lice. If the mouth remains on the skin, take steps to remove it immediately.

Wash skin with soap and water after removal.

For all tick bites, local cleansing and antibiotic cream can be given. If the bite area feels itchy, a drug containing diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is recommended.

Benadryl compound can be applied directly to the skin for itching or given orally by means of a tablet. Only this procedure is necessary for treatment.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be used to treat flea bites?

Here are the lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with tick bites:

• Avoid grassy areas and shrubs where tick populations are high, where ticks can land on the body.
• Wear light-colored clothing so that ticks can be seen and removed easily.
• Tuck the pants into boots or socks to prevent fleas from getting into the loose leg of the trouser.
• Use insect repellents and use a brand that is designed to repel fleas.
• Immediately check yourself, other people and pets if you are exposed to areas where fleas may be present.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.