How To Control Flea Bites

By Author: Austin Baines
Total Articles: 84
Comment this article

Pet owners, no matter how clean they are, may at some time be faced with a dog or cat that brings home fleas. Although it may be tempting to get rid of the pet in these situations, let’s see if we can consider how to get rid of flea bites first.

Recognizing Flea Bites

Flea bites are often found in the lower leg or ankle area on humans. Because fleas do not have wings, they jump to reach the person or animal they are intending to bite so the places most susceptible to flea bites are always near to the ground. Typically a flea bite will first be discovered because of itching on the lower legs or ankles. Looking like a small red spot that is slightly raised, a flea bite might have a lighter red ring around it which may swell slightly.

While flea bites are mostly a nuisance, fleas can be carriers of disease in the same way that mosquitoes are. Scratching (orbiting at, for pets) a flea bite can cause the sensitive skin around it to flare up and be more at risk of infection. A person or pet that is allergic to flea bites may have excessive swelling and should seek medical treatment right away. It is important ...
... to address the source of the fleas immediately upon discovering them. Even if you can’t see any adult fleas, if the bites are there then the fleas are there. And what’s more, they have likely laid eggs which will eventually grow into adults if not eradicated.

Get Rid of Flea Bites

Various remedies exist for the treatment of flea bites, whether from the pharmacy or things you can find at home in your kitchen cabinets. Whether the bites are on you or your pet, it is important to keep the area around the bites clean. Wash regularly with soap and rinse with warm water. This will cut down on potential infection and allow the body to heal more quickly. When giving your pet a bath, allow the lather to remain for a while and do the work of ridding your pet of fleas and eggs before rinsing.

One of the main goals of getting rid of flea bites is to stop the itching so that the scratching subsides–therefore minimizing the potential for infection. Over the counter creams for itching are readily available including hydrocortisone and calamine. Another home remedy option to stop the itch includes a baking soda/water paste applied to each bite. Oral antihistamines can reduce severe itching or swelling and make the healing process faster and more comfortable.

A cold cloth applied to the flea bites often helps ease the discomfort, or if there are any bites on the legs you may want to soak your lower legs in a soothing cool water bath. The coolness of the water reduces the swelling of the bites and minimizes itching that leads to scratching. This solution is temporary but offers at least some relief in stopping that burning desire to scratch.

Flea bites may last visibly from a few days to a week. If the bites go on longer than that, it might be a good idea to see a doctor to check for allergies, infection, or other problems. Also, make sure you are keeping track of which bites are pre-existing will help you know if there are new bites forming. This will help you know if you have gotten rid of the problem.

Preventing Further Outbreaks

In order to completely heal from flea bites, it’s important to ensure that the culprits are gone and won’t be around to do any more biting. Keeping your pet free of fleas and your house free of fleas can be fairly simple but might require creating a few new habits.

One of the best defenses against flea infestation is the vacuum. It kills fleas. Getting into the habit of vacuuming more often means that even if your pet does drag in fleas, they are less likely to be able to lay eggs and reproduce. Catching them with the vacuum is your best bet. Other options for repelling fleas is mopping floors with lemon water, add garlic to your pet’s food, or place drops of essential oils on your dog’s collar. Lavender, Citronella (commonly used to repel mosquitoes), eucalyptus, and geranium are all scents that make fleas want to flee.

In general, flea bites are a nuisance and should be taken seriously. But learning how to get rid of flea bites is rather simple and can typically be inexpensive–usually by using items already found around your house.

For more info about flea bites, call Flea Control Brisbane professionals.