Fleas carry diseases like Plague, Flea-borne Typhus, and Cat Scratch Disease (Bartonellosis), transmitting them through bites or infected feces; they also spread parasites like Tapeworms to pets and humans, and can cause severe Allergies, anemia, and other issues from feeding on blood, notes the CDC, PetMD, and Orkin.
Fleas are small insects that survive by feeding on animal or human blood. Their bites can cause discomfort, itchiness, and irritation. Sometimes, fleas can infect people or pets with the germs that cause flea-borne typhus, plague, or cat scratch disease.
Flea-borne typhus, also called murine typhus or endemic typhus, is a disease caused by the bacteria Rickettsia typhi. Flea-borne typhus is spread to people through contact with infected fleas, most commonly the Oriental rat flea (Xenopsylla cheopsis) and the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis).
Without treatment, death may occur in 10% to 60% of people with epidemic typhus, with people over age 50 having the highest risk of death. In the antibiotic era, death is uncommon if doxycycline is given. In one study of 60 people hospitalized with epidemic typhus, no one died when given doxycycline or chloramphenicol.
Fleas do not live on humans, but people can be bitten by them. The human flea— Pulex irritans —prefers feeding on human blood, but human skin is not a desirable environment for this flea to live on compared to other animals.
– what smells do fleas absolutely hate? Due to their sensitive sensory systems, certain natural scents like lavender, eucalyptus, and citronella are extremely off-putting to fleas. These scents not only repel adult fleas but can also disrupt their ability to detect a host, effectively breaking the cycle of infestation.
Although most people have mild or no symptoms at all, many people infected with flea- borne typhus may have fever, headache, chills, and muscle aches 6 - 14 days after the flea bite. Some people may also get a rash that may begin on the chest and spread to the sides and back.
Flea dirt itself is not harmful, but it is an indication of a flea problem, which can be harmful to humans and pets. While cats and dogs are common hosts, flea dirt can also be found on rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, and other warm-blooded mammals, including local wildlife like squirrels, raccoons, and opossums.
Modern fleas probably arose in the southern continental area of Gondwana, and migrated rapidly northwards from there. They most likely evolved with mammal hosts, only later moving to birds.
Humans and pets become infected with tapeworms if they consume an affected flea, and the more fleas you have in your home, the more likely it is that one may jump into your mouth, food or drink. In most cases, tapeworms don't cause many problems, but you may notice small segments in your stool.
The most common signs of toxicity from pyrethrum-based flea products are muscle tremors and excessive salivation. Common signs of organophosphate-based flea product toxicity include diarrhea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, small pupils, muscle tremors, weakness or falling over, and drooling.
Generally, fleas can't bite through clothing. Jeans, socks, and even thin fabrics will prevent their bites. However, there are a few exceptions. It's possible for fleas to feed through thin, snug-fitting clothing, such as tights, pantyhose, or yoga pants.
*The rash usually appears a few days after other symptoms. It starts on your trunk and spreads to the rest of your body (except the palms of your hands and soles of your feet). Symptoms are slightly different depending on the type of typhus.
Paired serologic testing using IFA is the most common means of confirming flea-borne typhus and can be used to detect IgG antibodies. Diagnosis is serologically confirmed by demonstrating a four-fold rise in antibody titer between acute and convalescent samples.
To kill fleas instantly, use fast-acting oral medication like Nitenpyram (e.g., Capstar) for immediate knockdown on pets, or give your pet a warm bath with mild soap/flea shampoo and use a flea comb to physically remove them, dunking fleas in soapy water to drown them. For home treatment, vacuuming and using insecticides with growth regulators help, but remember you'll need ongoing preventatives to break the flea life cycle.
In people, constant scratching may result in infections like cellulitis, while allergic reactions can cause chronic skin conditions. Flea-borne diseases, though rare, can cause severe complications if left untreated.
Use PetArmor® Home Home and Carpet Spray to kills fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, ticks, bed bugs, lice and dust mites. Leaves no objectionable odor or sticky mess and, when used as directed, does not stain furnishings. Treating your home with PetArmor® flea and tick treatments is easy.
Vicks can be applied to your ankles, legs, and other exposed areas before sleeping to provide some protection against flea bites. Just be mindful of its strong scent and potential skin sensitivity issues.
How to Repel Fleas on Humans. You can use some natural flea repellents, including some essential oils, as flea repellents placed directly on skin. A small-scale human study found that thyme oil and myrtle oil were more repellent against fleas on people than either permethrin or DEET.
