Fleas are undoubtedly the most menacing parasites, often found on furry pets, like dogs and cats. Yes, flea infestations adversely affect your pet’s health. But have you ever wondered whether these critters can bite you and impact your health? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Fleas can find their way onto you from your canine companion, among other sources. How, then, would you know if you have fleas, and how can you remove them? Let us help you.

This article includes information regarding fleas in humans, signs of fleas in humans, and ways to remove and prevent fleas. Keep reading to learn more.

What are fleas?

Fleas belong to the order Siphonaptera. Fleas are tiny, wingless insects that live on the fur of animals (mammals and birds). These brown or black colored parasites feed on the blood of their hosts to live, grow and reproduce rapidly, resulting in severe infestations. Flea infestations can cause health problems like anemia or skin irritation, and may lead to other severe diseases in their hosts/furry pets.

Can humans get fleas?

Humans are not a natural host for fleas. Fleas need thick fur and warm body temperature to survive and thrive, and therefore prefer furry and feathery animals to live on. However, fleas can bite humans and can temporarily live on them. But these tiny monsters do not reproduce on the human body in the same way they do on animals. There are over 2000 different species of fleas in the world, of which the most common ones that can bite humans are cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) and dog fleas (Ctenocephalides canis). The other, less prevalent fleas that are found on humans are Pulex irritans (human flea/house flea).

Humans usually get flea bites around their ankles, feet or legs, waist or groin areas, in the folds of the knees or elbows, or around the armpits.  

How do humans get fleas?

Fleas are wingless, but can jump approximately up to 100 times their body length. When you come into close contact with your dog, these ferocious creatures can hop on and bite you. Fleas can spread easily. So if the pets in the house are infested, humans can get fleas from the contaminated surfaces like carpets, bedding, and furniture. These jumping insects can also hop onto your shoes or clothes if you have visited flea-prone places, like areas with tall grass or parks.

Signs of fleas in humans

The most visible signs of flea bites in humans include:

  • Small, red bumps around ankles, feet or legs, usually in clusters or lines (referred to as the breakfast, lunch, dinner pattern)
  • Frequent itching, which can persist for days
  • Skin rashes, like an allergic reaction
  • Swelling or inflammation, especially if you have scratched
  • Bleeding spots or scabs, if you end up scratching incessantly
  • Visible flea dirt on the skin

To get relief from the flea bite irritation and prevent infection, clean the flea bite area with soap and water. You may apply an anti-itch cream or use an antihistamine to reduce the irritation.

Ways to get rid of fleas

If you see fleas on your fur friend or in the house, the first step is to treat and remove them. Here are a few tips to remove and prevent fleas:

  • Take the help of a flea comb or flea shampoo to bathe or groom your dog and remove fleas from them.
  • Use a vet-recommended oral or topical flea treatment for pets, like Simparica Chews, or Frontline Plus to treat your dog’s flea infestations. You can also opt for a wearable, like the Seresto Collar, for your dog’s flea protection.
  • If you have multiple pets in the house, administer flea treatment to all of them together, as a treated pet can catch re-infestation from another infested pet.
  • Vacuum carpets, rugs and furniture completely. Empty the vacuum bag outside the house to prevent the return of fleas.
  • Wash your dog’s toys, bedding, and blankets thoroughly in hot water.
  • Trim your lawn and clean your backyard. Use sprays that contain insect growth regulators (IGR) to prevent flea larvae from maturing.
  • Make it a practice to wash your pet’s stuff and clean the house regularly. This can help stop fleas from coming back.
  • Check your dog thoroughly after every outside visit. This helps catch the flea infestation early and stop it from spreading.
  • Fleas are more active in warmer temperatures, but can survive even in winter. Consult your veterinarian and administer their suggested flea and tick preventives for dogs to your pet for their year-round protection. Read How to Prepare for Flea and Tick Season: Your All-Inclusive Guide to know more about parasite protection in pets.

Frequently asked questions

Here are answers to some of the most common questions you might have regarding fleas in humans:

Q. What diseases can flea bites cause in humans?

A. Bites from cat fleas (commonly found in cats and dogs) can transmit diseases, like murine typhus, cat scratch disease, and plague in humans. Fleas can also transmit tapeworm infections when humans ingest tapeworm larvae through them.

Q. How long do fleas live on humans?

A. Fleas do not stay on a human body for longer periods. If fleas get on a human, they may bite the exposed areas of the skin, like ankles or feet, and usually jump off after feeding or shortly afterwards to search for an animal, their natural host.

Q. Can fleas grow from human blood?

A. Fleas can feed on human blood, but they cannot reproduce. Adult fleas need an animal host to provide a suitable environment for egg laying. Without this, their life cycle is incomplete, and the flea population will not thrive solely on human blood.

To conclude

Fleas are nasty parasites that feed on and live on animals. Though fleas cannot live for a long time on humans, they can bite humans and cause trouble. Humans can get fleas from their dogs, the natural hosts for fleas, in the house. The damage from flea bites can be controlled by identifying the signs of flea bites and taking steps to treat flea infestations and prevent flea attacks.