Fleas are more likely to attack children than adults due to the fact that our youngest ones have weaker immune systems. Basically, fleas, in most cases, attack animals first, predominantly cats and dogs and humans get them from their pets. There are many types of fleas, but humans tend to have cat, dog or human fleas which get onto the body, pierce the skin and expose our organism to coagulants which allow a free flow of our blood into the organisms of these tiny vampires. The coagulants can lead to infections in our body, being potentially dangerous. Thus, staying safe from fleas is a must.
How Do Flea Bites Look on Children Skin?
The main signatures that fleas leave on human skin are many tiny signs of their bites. Namely, a flea will rarely bite a person only once. Rather, it will move around the body, biting it many times, leading to the appearance of numerous itchy spots on the surface of the skin. The itchiness may last for days, irritating and causing discomfort. Since children can rarely control themselves when faced with this extreme itchiness, they usually scratch the bite spots until they bleed. This can lead to infections, making matters worse.
A flea bite can be differentiated from a regular mosquito or other insect bite by a specific halo appearing around the red spot. Also, the bite spot will have a tiny hole in its very center. The most common body parts that fleas attack are legs and thighs.
Keep in mind that a single flea may bite more than one host in its lifetime. Thus, the bite may lead to more serious infections and diseases like Murine typhus and bubonic plague. Moreover, certain types of fleas are capable of transferring tapeworm larvae.
Treatment for Flea Bites
The first line of defense is applying soap and clean water onto the area, disinfecting it. Make sure that the water used is not hot since this may irritate the skin further. Cold compress application is also recommended, as well as Hydrocortisone creams which can be purchased over-the-counter. If these methods fail, you are advised to seek medical attention where your doctor will examine the bite spots and recommend the best possible treatment.
However, since prevention is, by far, the best treatment, you are advised to have your pets checked and sprayed or protected from fleas. Also, make sure you protect your house from these tiny vampires, keeping you and your family safe from fleas and their troublesome bites.