Flea bites

Skin | General Practice | Flea bites (Disease)


Description

Insect bites and stings are common and usually cause only minor irritation. However, some stings can be painful and trigger a serious allergic reaction.

Insects that bite include midges, mosquitoes, fleas, bedbugs and although not strictly insects, spiders, mites and ticks, which are arachnids. Insects that sting include bees, wasps and hornets.

Causes and Risk factors

An insect bites by making a hole in a persons skin to feed. Most insects sting as a defence by injecting venom into the skin.

Diagnosis and Treatment

(1) The first tip is the most important, though it is also one of the most difficult to follow is avoiding scratching. Fleas defecate as they feed, which means that every flea bite is going to be surrounded by nasty bacteria.

(2) An oral antihistamine will help reduce the itchiness of the flea bites while also lessening any allergic reactions you may have experienced from the bites. Topical antihistamines, antibacterials and other soothing lotions will help to soothe and cleanse the skin directly, giving relief to where it is needed most.

(3) Tepid baths with an oatmeal solution (found at chemists and health stores) will help to soothe your skin. Avoiding hot showers as the hot water can actually make the itching worse.

(4) Ensure your house and your yard are completely treated for fleas. There are many good flea bombs on the market that are extremely effective in killing fleas in every stage of their life cycle. ...