The terms ‘flea circuses’ and ‘flea markets’ are derivatives from these species who jump around from place to place. Unfortunately, even though fleas have inspired works of art, poetry, and literature, as their fundamental level, fleas are parasites with the ability to cause one of the peskiest issues to humans- flea bites.
On human flesh, flea bites are tiny red spots that occur in clusters, often with halos around the bite center.
Besides legs, ankles where they are most common, flea bites occur in a variety of areas including armpits, breasts, groin, elbows, knees, and waist. Fleabites, alongside mosquito and tick-related illnesses, are becoming more common.
According to a Vital Signs(1) report prepared by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, “Illnesses from mosquito, tick, and flea bites have tripled in the U.S., with more than 640,000 cases reported during the 13 years from 2004 through 2016.”
This article will help you understand the signs and symptoms of flea bites, learn home remedies for flea bites, and comprehend how these home remedies for flea bites can be applied for humans.
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Did You Know?
| Fleas can jump so high relative to their size that is an average human had the same jumping prowess; they would be able to make a mockery of gravity by jumping 160 feet up! |
Signs and Symptoms of Flea Bites
Fleas are prolific reproducers, especially if you keep pets at home. If the fleas have left their mark on your body, then there are some clear telltale signs to look for. Common symptoms of flea bites in humans include itching, hives, sometimes a rash with small clustered red bumps with swelling.
Home Remedies for Flea Bites
As the age-old adage goes ‘Prevention is better than cure.’ In an ideal world, we would be able to prevent flea bites completely by taking certain precautions. Unfortunately, we do not live in an ideal world, and hence, flea bites may affect us. Fortunately, there are some great home remedies available for flea bites on humans.
1. Vinegar
Why Does It Work?
Vinegar is a vintage solution used as a home remedy cure for more than two millennia. It is well-known for its antiseptic nature. Treating flea bites on humans with vinegar is a very effective home remedy. Vinegar works on such bites by soothing the itchiness and reducing the inflammation of the affected area. The acetic acid in vinegar also reduced the chances of further infections through the bite area.
How to Use It and How Much?
The process is quite simple. Take water and vinegar in equal proportions (1:1 ratio). Dip a cotton ball into the mixture and gently dab it onto the bitten area. Allow the cotton ball to rest on the bite marks for 5 minutes, and then remove it. You can do this process multiple times in a day when the itching increases.
Just ensure that you are not applying the vinegar in an area of your flesh which is still raw or has developed an open wound through scratching or itching.
Also Read: Effective Ways to Treat Mosquito Bites
2. Cold Compress
Why Does It Work?
Cold compresses can alleviate the pain and stop the itching. The low temperature created on the affected area by the cold compress numbs the nerve endings that transmit the itching sense to the brain. A cold compress also helps in reducing the swelling around the bite area.
How to Use It and How Much?
Firstly, you should clean the bite area with warm water and soap. Then use an icepack on the affected area for 2-3 minutes. After an interval of 10-15 minutes, apply again. This process can be repeated multiple times in a day. Make sure to use a proper icepack or at least a thin cloth to store the ice. Direct application of ice packs on the skin may cause damage.
3. Aloe Vera
Why Does It Work?
Aloe Vera(2) is succulent and contains active compounds with anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Such characteristics make it an excellent home remedy for treating flea bites. The aloe vera gel soothes the skin and reduces itching. The antiseptic and anti-inflammatory compounds reduce swelling while accelerating the healing of the affected area.
How to Use It and How Much?
Extract the gel from an aloe vera leaf and rub it onto the affected areas. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes, and then clean it with lukewarm water. This process can be repeated 2-3 times daily.
Also Read: 4 natural remedies to prevent mosquito bites in babies
4. Baking Soda
Why Does It Work?
Baking Soda is the home remedy for all seasons. It works great for flea bites too. It’s a base, therefore carries the natural ability to neutralize acids. This property ensures the application of baking soda leading to an immediate reduction in itching. Furthermore, baking soda also reduces inflammation, risk of the bite area becoming infected, and swelling around the affected area.
How to Use It and How Much?
Create a thin paste of baking soda by mixing one teaspoon of the soda with little water. Apply the paste on the affected area, leave it on for 5-10 minutes, and then clean the soda from the bite area with cold water. Make sure to use this remedy not more than 1-2 times daily.
Another approach to applying baking soda is to use it in a cold water bath. Adding a cup of baking soda to a bathtub of water, and then soaking yourself in it for 8-10 minutes can be helpful. In either case, ensure that you are not applying the baking soda to bruises or raw areas of the skin.
5. Lemon
Why Does It Work?
Lemon is not only a remedy to treat flea bites, but it is also a homemade flea repellent for human skin. Lemon is a natural astringent which enables it to dry out any rashes that may have been caused by the flea bites.
Furthermore, the citrate in lemon enables it to reduce redness, swelling of the skin, and chances of further infection. Lemon is also helpful is moving the fleas away from areas that they are infesting.
How to Use It and How Much?
Similar to vinegar, lemon can be used on the affected area by dabbing a cotton ball dipped in lemon juice. After applying the lemon on the bite marks, ensure that it becomes dry, and then wash it with water. This process can be done multiple times a day.
Awareness of Home Remedies for Flea Bites May Be the Solution
Fleas may be little creatures in terms of size, but they can infest our habitats, rapidly multiply, and cause discomforts through flea bites. Awareness of effective home remedies for treating flea bites can be extremely useful in not only speeding up the healing process but also preventing bites from transforming from minor red marks to major infections and diseases.
Also Read: Take the Sting Off of Bee Stings with These Remedies
FAQs
1. What to Use for Flea Bites?
There are many natural home remedies available to use for flea bites. Whether it is baking soda, vinegar, neem leaves, lemon, or even icepacks – all of them are effective home remedies for flea bites.
2. Where Do Fleabites Commonly Occur?
The most common places for fleabites are legs and ankles. Besides legs, ankles, flea bites occur in a variety of areas including armpits, breasts, groin, elbows, knees, and waist.
3. How Do I Prevent Fleabites?
While there is no foolproof way to prevent flea bites completely, the probability of Fleabites can be reduced by taking certain precautions such as keeping our pets away from flea-infested friends, mowing our lawns frequently, vacuuming carpets, upholstered furniture, rugs, keeping the curtains and furniture clean, etc.
Also Read: Home remedies for wasp stings | Bee Stings