How to get rid of fleas on the human body

Fleas have been “accompanying” human life since the very time when he had his first pet. Typically, these blood-sucking insects parasitize our pets - cats and dogs, and therefore we inevitably encounter them.

Although they adapt to specific animals, when there is a shortage of food, human blood is quite suitable for parasites. Therefore, our article is about what the insect is and how it spreads, what harm it causes to humans, and whether it is possible to get rid of fleas once and for all.

Features of the human flea

Pulex irritans is a fairly large human flea, measuring approximately 3 mm in length. Like its relatives, it has good jumping ability, covering distances of up to half a meter. Bloodsuckers move freely in human hair, but they cannot stay there for long. Human fleas have the following characteristic features:

flattened body, making them difficult to crush;
the presence of multiple hooks and hairs located on the body and limbs;
body color from brown to black-brown;
lack of wings.

Human flea
An adult lives on average for several months, but theoretically the insect's lifespan can be calculated at 500 days. During this time, the female is able to lay up to five hundred eggs. The human flea in the photo posted on the site will allow you to visually get acquainted with the dangerous parasite. They look practically like other species. Only professional entomologists can distinguish this species from its relatives using a microscope. Human parasites may look like small brown grains. Thanks to natural selection, fleas on humans have become virtually invulnerable. Therefore, they do not care that their bites are painless, but bite deeply into the skin of their victim, causing pain.

Blood-sucking human parasites spend most of their lives in secluded places near their prey. Here they lay eggs, from which worm-like larvae emerge, feeding on rotting organic matter or the excrement of adult fleas. When hungry, human fleas attack people or nearby animals and feed on their blood. After being bitten, they immediately leave the body of their owner.

Types of fleas that attack humans

More than 1,500 species of parasites, which are not distinguished by their attachment to their host, can choose a person as their victim. The following types of fleas are identified in human hair:

Dog fleas

cat pests;
rat;
rabbit;
parasites that live on herbivores.

They attack people in the absence of their owners. You can protect yourself from the bites of dangerous parasites using fairly simple methods:

when going out into nature, wear clothes that cover your arms, legs, and hair;
avoid visiting unsanitary places;
maintain order in the house;
use a special flea remedy for humans - Off-Extreme, Biban, Gall-Rat, Gardex;
do not touch stray animals.

Such basic protection against fleas will allow you to avoid unpleasant consequences caused by their bites.

Due to the nature of my work, I have to come into contact with homeless animals. You can protect yourself from bloodsucker bites using Gardex. I recommend.

It has been established that almost 90% of ectoparasites live in the basements of residential buildings, from where they spread into apartments. Residents of the lower floors suffer most from bloodsuckers, although they can also appear in apartments located on the last levels. This is explained by the proximity of attics where birds live, in whose nests pests like to live. Therefore, when the question is asked whether a person can get fleas, the answer may be unequivocal - yes. Since they can enter people’s homes in a variety of ways:

be carried on shoes and clothes;
move away from neighbors, from basements and attics;
move away from cats and dogs.

At the first suspicion of the presence of ectoparasites, it is necessary to take immediate measures to remove them from the premises.

Video help

These videos contain additional materials on getting rid of fleas in the house, such as flea traps, the life cycle of fleas and related difficulties, and getting rid of fleas from pets.

The presence of small parasites in an apartment is terribly unpleasant and extremely inconvenient. If there are small children in the house, the problem becomes even more serious. Therefore, vacuum more often and be sure to carry out general cleaning at least once a year using the above products to prevent the appearance of unexpected “guests”. And beautifully arranged bouquets of herbs and orange peels, coupled with aromatic lamps, will help you never find out what fleas are in general)

The text is completely original. Copying any elements of the article is possible only with an active link to the source!

Signs of dangerous pests and the consequences of their bites

The fact that a person may have fleas in the house is primarily indicated by bites. They are found not only on the head, but also on other parts of the body. Pests bite very painfully, so it is impossible not to notice this moment. At the site of the insect’s “meal,” a reddish spot with a diameter of up to 5 mm or a blister forms, in the center of which there is a bloody dot. Flea bites on the human body do not go away within 3-5 days. People who are hypersensitive may experience allergic rashes or hives.

Flea bites

Research by scientists has confirmed the presence of more than 200 dangerous viruses and bacteria that bloodsuckers can spread if they bite a person. If there are fleas in a person’s hair, then there is a high probability of becoming the owner of the following diseases:

encephalitis;
salmonellosis;
Siberian plague;
brucellosis;
tularemia and others.

Most often, fleas cause pulicosis in humans, which is characterized by the following symptoms:

swelling of the lymph nodes;
increased body temperature;
headache, irritability, insomnia;
poorly healing wounds on the mucous membranes and skin;
allergic reactions in the form of profuse rashes in the bite area.

All these manifestations indicate that it is urgently necessary to get rid of fleas from a person. The struggle can be divided into two stages. The first is the elimination of the consequences of bites of dangerous insects, the second is the destruction of human fleas in domestic conditions. In order to remove the discomfort from the attack of parasites, you should carry out simple manipulations that will alleviate the suffering. Since there is no cure for fleas for humans, you can get rid of the unpleasant sensations yourself:

Treat the flea bite site with bactericidal soap or any antiseptic.
Apply ice to the wound to prevent inflammation.
Relieve itching with ointments or other medications.

Flea bites

If complications occur, you should consult a doctor for treatment with sedatives and antihistamines.

Preventive actions

To prevent a re-infestation of fleas, you need to follow these simple rules.

Do wet cleaning twice a week, including in remote areas.
Train your pet to wear a flea collar.
Treat the entrance to the living space and ventilation with special crayons.
Ventilate your apartment periodically.
Hang bedding in the sun.
Wash soft toys and treat upholstered furniture.
If necessary, carry out repairs by covering all cracks in the floor, walls, etc.
Don't let other people's animals into your apartment.

If you disinfect your apartment and adhere to preventive measures, you will not only get rid of flea infestations, but also prevent them from reappearing.

Appearance of a flea

These are small insects, so it is not always possible to notice them right away. Flea bites are painful, and the site of the bite is “marked” by a pink spot. The body of a flea is on average from 1 to 5 mm, but a well-fed insect has a stretched abdomen, due to which the size increases to 1 cm. The fertilized female reaches a large size - up to 1.5 cm. The body is divided into a head and abdomen, protected by a chitinous shell.

Under a microscope, a flea resembles a shrimp. This is the most convenient body shape, as it helps to move faster through fur or feathers and hide in secluded places. Three pairs of strong limbs allow her to move by jumping. The limbs have claws so that they can cling to fur or any surface.

This is interesting: The lifespan of the parasite ranges from several months to 3 years. How long an insect lives depends on the ambient temperature. High temperatures shorten life expectancy, low temperatures prolong it, since in cool conditions the life cycle proceeds slowly.

The eyes are located on the head, above which are antennae. They are needed so that the male can hold the female during mating. The rest of the time they do not play any role. The spines and bristles covering the skin are a kind of protection, making it almost impossible to comb out a flea.

Types of fleas and their danger to humans

We will only talk about those types of fleas that live in our homes. These are cat, dog and human fleas. What is their difference?

Cat flea: The most common flea in the flea kingdom. On an animal it looks like small lumps of dirt. Dark discharge (excrement) also remains on the fur. The female lays eggs, resembling white grains, in cracks in floors, in the upholstery of upholstered furniture, and under carpets. It differs from the rest in its flat body and tiny head. Are cat fleas dangerous for humans? They feed on his blood when the main owner is not nearby.
Dog flea: parasitizes dogs, cats, and horses. The body is slightly flattened on the sides. It does not often visit humans, but in severe hunger it will not disdain human blood. She jumps quite far: three times further than she sees. The bristles allow them to adhere well to the owner's fur.
Human flea: Most often feeds on a person, especially if he has a characteristic odor and the hair is rich enough. Fleas can stay on humans for only a short time, moving onto cats or dogs. Signs of an “attack” are the presence of small wounds that itch very much. You can also notice a small dark dot on the body; this is an attached parasite that happily absorbs blood.

Note: A flea lives without food for 1-3 months. In this case, the insect does not fall into suspended animation, but simply becomes less active and does not reproduce. When favorable conditions arise, the parasite comes to life and begins to feed on those warm-blooded animals that are nearby.

Are fleas dangerous for humans? A bite is not always dangerous, only in some cases it leads to dire consequences. The real threat is that by biting another animal, and then a person, the flea is capable of transmitting infections, infecting all its potential victims.

Choosing a suit for a walk

Clothing made of thick fabric is required. One popular protection option involves wearing a cotton shirt. Another shirt is put on over it - made of durable and thin knitted fine-mesh fabric.

The protection is simple - the insect is not able to reach the skin and bite through it.

The head is protected by a hat with a mosquito net called a mosquito net. It is designed against flying insects, but a flea can reach the head in 2-3 jumps. And if people stopped for a rest or went to bed, then the pests will definitely reach all parts of the body.

Legs should be hidden under pants made of thick fabric. The feet are protected with boots or high boots. It is recommended to tuck your pants into your shoes - this will reduce the chance of insects getting into your skin.

How dangerous are fleas to humans?

The bite is sensitive because an enzyme gets into the wound with the little vampire’s saliva, thanks to which the blood does not clot. Therefore, the flea can get plenty of food. A small pink spot remains at the site of the bite, which causes severe itching.

Most often, bites are clearly visible on the legs. They are located scattered, in the form of small pink dots a few centimeters from each other. Flea bites are also noticeable on other parts of the body: most often on the arms, neck and armpits. If flea bites are actually present on a person, then there is tar soap and flea shampoo intended for people. If you find pink sores on your child's body, you should consult a doctor.

Depending on the individual characteristics, various lesions occur on the skin:

allergies of varying severity,
tumors at the site of the bite,
swelling occurs and internal hemorrhages are possible,
wounds become infected and ulcers form,
dermatitis develops.

Before fleas bite people, they can parasitize other animals, transmitting infection and becoming pathogens of diseases: plague, typhoid, tularemia, salmonellosis, hepatitis B and C. They can also transmit helminth eggs, which leads to the development of parasites inside the body .

Important! Fleas are temporary parasites that can jump from one place to another, picking up an object to feed on. They develop best at t=”+18-27C” and humidity 70-100%. In 20-50 days, under favorable conditions, the flea turns into an adult. At low humidity the larva dies.

Causes of demodicosis

In a healthy person, the activity of the Demodex mite is suppressed by the body's immune defense. With a decrease in immunity, there are more ticks, which leads to the development of demodicosis. Also, an increase in the number of mites can be caused by metabolic disorders. Demodex feeds mainly on the secretions of the sebaceous glands, so increased productivity of the sebaceous glands leads to the activation of mites and, as a consequence, manifestations of demodicosis.

Thus, the list of the main reasons for the development of demodicosis may look like this:

decreased general immunity;
stress factors (stress and negative emotions contribute to decreased immunity);
chronic diseases leading to a decrease in the protective ability of the skin;
increased skin oiliness;
hormonal changes (in particular during adolescence, when as a result of such changes the viscosity of the secretion of the sebaceous glands increases);
use of cosmetics with hormonal supplements;
failure to comply with personal hygiene rules.

How to get rid of fleas and is it possible to destroy them?

It is impossible to protect yourself from bites; you should clear your pets and home of “uninvited guests.” The first place to start is to check your cats and dogs for fleas. They may not be visible, but insect excrement is clearly visible on the fur. They come out of wool very well. You just need to purchase special sprays or gels, shampoos, and flea collars from pet stores. After treating with the spray, you should put on a collar so that your pet does not become infected again. The collar will protect against re-infestation of fleas.

Since the “bloodsuckers” also live in the room itself, it will have to be disinfected. Fleecy fabrics need to be treated especially carefully: carpets, rugs, bedspreads. It is better to destroy the bedding on which pets slept. You should pay attention to any cracks, baseboards, or holes in the walls where annoying insects may be hiding. First, you should thoroughly vacuum the house, and then start staining.

Important! Heating appliances should be turned off, pets should be removed, food should be carefully packed, and it is advisable for apartment owners to leave the house for a couple of days, since most flea remedies are toxic. The treatment must be repeated after 2 weeks, since the larval stage of the flea is quite long.