Flea bites are itchy and obnoxious — but what can you do? If you have pets, you have to deal with fleas. Right? After all, how dangerous are fleas, anyway? Aren’t they a small, irritating price to pay for the company of our beloved pets? Unfortunately, flea bites can cause more serious problems than you might think. For both you and your pet(s). For those who are sensitive to them, flea bites can range from irritating to maddening for animals and people. They can also pose serious health issues for your pets, family, and you. The dangers of flea bites go well beyond skin deep. Let’s take a closer look at the dangers of flea bites and the best protection for you and your pets.
The Most Common Flea-Borne Diseases and Illnesses
While most flea bites are simply irritating, there are several dangers of flea bites that can be far more severe for people and animals. Let’s first explore what happens if a flea bites you. Then, we’ll dive into the most common flea-borne diseases and symptoms. So, what happens if a flea bites you? When fleas bite, they are essentially taking a blood meal, and as they do, they inject a small amount of saliva into the skin. The saliva contains specific proteins that can trigger an allergic reaction in some people and pets. The bite swells, and the immediate area around the flea bite can become itchy and inflamed. But fleas don’t just bite once and go on their way. They can bite multiple times, especially if they are disturbed while feeding. A flea bite rash occurs when a flea bites several times in close proximity, making the itchy inflammation worse, even for those who are not allergic.Flea Allergy Dermatitis
The most common flea-borne disease is flea allergy dermatitis. This is an immunologic disease caused by an allergy to the fleas’ saliva and is both a common and serious danger of flea bites. Symptoms of flea allergy dermatitis can be severe and include:- Intense itching all over the body
- Red, oozing lesions called hot spots
- Skin inflammation
- Hair loss
- Painful scabs
Bartonella
Thus far, we have focused on the dangers of flea bites themselves. Because some people and animals are allergic to flea saliva, any bite can harm their health. But what if the flea is infected? That pathogen, too, enters the wound along with the saliva. So, each new host, whether a person or pet, can be infected with whatever disease or bacteria the flea carries. Unfortunately, fleas are often infected by Bartonella bacteria and can spread the infection to the animals they bite. In dogs and especially cats, Bartonella is associated with severe conditions, including heart disease, eye inflammation, and seizures. Treatment requires extensive use of antibiotics over an extended period of time. Bartonella is also one of the dangers of flea bites to humans. If an infected flea bites a cat, the bacteria replicate in the cat’s bloodstream. When the cat scratches, it can get the bacteria on its claws. If it then scratches or bites a human, that person may contract cat scratch fever. While a fairly uncommon flea infection, its symptoms range from problematic to devastating, including the following:- Fever
- Headaches
- Loss of appetite
- Exhaustion
- Severe muscle pain
- Serious eye infection
- Swelling of the brain (encephalitis)
Tapeworms
Tapeworms are another common danger of flea bites. As dogs and cats lick and groom the site of irritating flea bites, they may ingest a flea. If the flea has ingested tapeworm eggs, the eggs can pass into your pet’s digestive system. That can result in a tapeworm developing in your pet’s intestines. The worm’s sucker-like mouth hooks into the intestinal walls, where it continues to eat and grow. Tapeworm symptoms in pets include the following:- Weight loss, even with normal food intake
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dull coat
- Itchy anus, leading to pets “scooting” along on their rear
Additional Threats to Your Pet From Flea Bites
Fortunately, the possible dangers of flea infections described above don’t happen with every flea bite unless you’re allergic to the flea saliva. However, in addition to itching and irritation, there is an additional threat to your pet and family that occurs with every bite: anemia.Anemia
Anemia is one of the dangers of flea bites that affects people as well as pets. Every time a flea bites, it drinks blood. While no single bite drains a significant volume of blood, each bite adds up. Generally, healthy people and pets affected by flea bite anemia will just feel fatigued and lethargic for a while. However, older, sick, or infirm people or pets are at a greater risk of anemia when bitten by fleas over an extended period of time.How Can You Prevent Fleas?
The only way to completely avoid the dangers of flea bites is to entirely eliminate fleas from your property, pets, and home. Preventing flea bites on your pet is far easier than eradicating a flea infestation, but it takes effort. Let’s see what you can do to prevent fleas from infesting your pets, home, and yard.Preventing Fleas on Your Pet
The first place to prevent fleas is directly on your pet, the most susceptible host to the nasty biters. These are the best ways to protect your pet from the dangers of flea bites:- Consider using flea collars as part of a multi-pronged flea prevention approach.
- Look into monthly, topical flea treatments that can kill adult fleas and eggs.
- Prevent your pets from spending time in flea-infested locations, including your yard. If they do spend a lot of time outdoors, schedule a barrier treatment to effectively reduce the risk of flea and tick bites.
- Limit the access wildlife has to your property where your pets spend time.
- Brush pets regularly using a flea comb.
- Use a topical flea spray to kill fleas removed by the comb or for spot treatments where your pet scratches.
- Bathe pets regularly using flea shampoo. (Check your pets’ sensitivity to specific products, as some pets react adversely to certain shampoo ingredients.
Preventing Fleas in Your Home
Preventing fleas in your home largely depends upon keeping them off your pets and your property. However, once a single flea enters your home, you’re likely to get many more. The following care will help keep fleas out of your home:- Sweep and vacuum frequently and well. Vacuum carpets, rugs, and sofa cushions. Empty the vacuum outdoors so living fleas and viable eggs don’t get back in.
- For serious flea infestations, steam-clean carpets to kill adult fleas and their eggs.
- Wash the bedding, yours and your pet’s, frequently.
Preventing Fleas on Your Property
Avoiding the dangers of flea bites relies most heavily on keeping fleas off your property and away from your pets. The following steps will help keep your property free from biters:- Mow your grass frequently.
- Avoid over-watering your lawn and landscaping.
- Fix any irrigation leaks and leaky faucets.
- Treat dog houses or dog runs with insecticide for fleas.
- Keep weeds, fallen leaves, and garden litter off your property.
- Keep wildlife away from your property.
- Do not store food outdoors.
- Keep tight lids on trash cans.
- Regularly schedule professional flea control treatments.