What parts of the body are most often bitten by insects
Fleas are blood-sucking insects that often live on animals and humans. They have a flattened body covered with bristles and spines. There are many species that make up this family. The dimensions rarely exceed 4 mm. The bites of these parasites are very painful and remain large marks on the body of humans and animals. In addition, they are carriers of tick-borne encephalitis, plague and anthrax.
Fleas often bite people, falling on them from the bodies of animals. However, there is also a separate type of human parasite, which is unpretentious. Their main difference is size. The human flea is much larger.
Fleas most often bite humans on the legs and arms. Mostly damaged areas are located on the shins and feet. In addition, they sting for places with thin skin: the skin on the head, in the armpits and near the genitals, on the neck. Depending on the species, other areas of localization of bites are possible.
Prophylaxis
A collision with fleas is a frequent occurrence in a person's daily life, and it is impossible to completely protect yourself and your loved ones from this scourge. However, certain preventive measures will help minimize the likelihood of encountering dangerous insects:
- Generally clean your home on a regular basis. Ventilate rooms and clothes that hang for a long time without use, knock out carpets, keep soft toys and accessories for pets clean;
- systematically examine your four-legged and feathered pets for the presence of parasites, purchase anti-flea collars or special sprays for them to prevent the appearance of parasites;
- timely block possible ways of insect access to your home: cracks in door frames, window frames, floor;
- periodically treat the room with modern means for controlling insects in the house or use an electronic repeller;
- When planning a trip to a place where the likelihood of meeting little vampires is high, apply repellents containing DEET (diethyltoluamide) to your skin. The most popular means are: OFF Extreme;
- Moskitol Super Active protection;
- Medilis comfort;
- Ultraton.
Natural repellents include:
- sagebrush;
- mint;
- tansy;
- chamomile;
- lavender;
- eucalyptus.
Bunches of plants are hung around the rooms, placing them as close to the floor as possible. In addition, you can prepare a fragrant spray from any herb and apply it to clothing or skin (if there is no allergy). For this, 50–100 g of any plant is brewed with 1 liter of boiling water, allowed to cool, then poured into spray guns and used as directed.
Photo gallery: modern means of prevention and control of fleas at home
Spray Raptor destroys adult fleas and insect larvae
Chlorpyrimark's activity can last up to one and a half months.
Aerosol Reid allows you to quickly process your home
Get microencapsulated drug is considered one of the best for the fight against parasites in the home
Feverfew is made from ground chamomile flowers and is used to treat rooms in hard-to-reach places.
Dichlorvos Varan is safe for people and animals
A harmless drug sold in veterinary pharmacies - Butox
Biorin is an effective but very toxic agent used by professional exterminators
What flea bites look like
At the site of the injury, a tumor quickly begins to form and the skin turns red. There is no perforation site. After a few days, the affected area becomes invisible. After injury, the following symptoms may appear:
- There will be a severe pain syndrome typical for injections.
- The bite site may itch. However, it is undesirable to start combing it so as not to introduce an infection from under the nails.
- Bleeding is possible. Blood crust may be present in the affected area.
- In some cases, scars are formed, typical for people with sensitive skin.
- In some people, the damage does not appear.
It gets inside the house with animals or household items. The bite is practically indistinguishable from the bite of other species of fleas. A pronounced pain syndrome appears. Unpleasant sensations are stabbing in nature. In addition, there is severe itching, a small hematoma forms, then swells. The bites most often involve the limbs. Much less often the body. Most often they sting several times.
Attention! Often, flea bites on human skin lead to the appearance of a complication - pulicosis, which is accompanied by multiple erosions and suppurations, which can be combined with each other. Then ulcers can affect the oral mucosa and throat. This makes breathing difficult and leads to hyperthermia.
Bed and linen
The bite of these fleas is less painful than most other species. However, these injuries cannot be called imperceptible. The pain syndrome is stabbing or cutting in nature.
Then there is severe itching with a sufficient degree of severity, and hematomas form.
Attention! Linen fleas can lead to an allergic reaction. Single insect bites can be accompanied by scabies or redness. If there is a lot of damage, large areas may appear, which then turn into an ulcer.
In this case, hyperthermia is observed, up to 40 degrees. Changes in behavior are possible, anxiety and a feeling of fear appear. Intoxication can also begin, which can lead to breathing difficulties, anxiety and suffocation. Anaphylactic shock rarely occurs.
Attention! At the first signs of an allergic reaction, it is advisable to consult a specialist.
Feline
Representatives of this family are the original carriers of fleas. However, at the moment, insects are capable of parasitizing many animal species. They can often attack humans in search of food. Flea bites of this species are painful. They cause severe itching and local inflammation of the skin. For a person, the consequences are rarely serious.
Doggy
This family of insects stings people much more often than parasites of other species. Due to the highest prevalence of dogs and their need to regularly go outside. These fleas have an increased survival rate. Symptoms of the bite remain common - sharp pain and inflammation.
Earthen
This species is a parasite that often lives in areas of large concentrations of birds and mice. These insects bite through the skin and suck blood. They can also often lay eggs under their nails. This leads to severe suppuration in the affected area, and the larvae can move with the blood.
Attention! Such a disease needs to be treated only with the participation of a surgeon.
Rat
This subspecies is quite common in rural areas. Can parasitize rodents. Such fleas are carriers of many diseases. They can even lead to pandemics. During the plague epidemic, it was because of the bites of fleas that a massive infection began.
Basement
This term usually means many subspecies that live in dark and cool rooms. Most often, they affect stray animals and people without a fixed abode, from which they can jump to other carriers.
Important! Flea bites are not specific. They can settle on many living creatures that are nearby. Especially if they are found in large quantities. A person for them is not a priority target, therefore they rarely hit him.
These insects are transistorized, therefore they cannot inhabit the skin and wool. Most often they settle in bedding and rugs. They can lay eggs on the body of victims.
Genital
This type of flea is especially dangerous. They can settle in the folds of the genitals and lead to acute inflammation or intoxication. They are often the cause of severe allergic reactions. In some cases, anaphylactic shock may develop. Also cause severe scabies.
Important! If such fleas start, it is imperative to start treatment on time in order to prevent the development of various ulcers and erosions, as well as inflammatory reactions of the skin. Do not scratch the wounds, as this can lead to infection in the bloodstream through the enlarged bite canal. The consequences can be septicemia or severe allergies.
First aid
In addition to the fact that parasites o = pose a danger to humans, the bites themselves are quite dangerous. Since they itch a lot, scratching cannot be avoided, and this leads to open wounds that can easily get infected.
Be sure to wash the skin with soap and water. Cold compresses will help get rid of puffiness and relieve inflammation, you can use ice. Alcohol is also used to burn wounds. You can use pharmacy drugs or seek help from traditional medicine.
How to tell the difference between a flea bite: typical symptoms and signs
Attention! The resulting damage can give the following symptoms:
- There will be a severe pain syndrome typical for injections.
- The bite site may itch. However, it is undesirable to start combing it so as not to introduce an infection from under the nails.
- Bleeding is possible. Blood crust may be present in the affected area.
- Scars typical of people with sensitive skin may form.
- In some people, the damage does not appear.
On human skin
Attention! Bite marks can appear in groups of several dots and look like small red bubbles.
On the body of an animal
There are no significant differences. After a flea stings, multiple dots appear with a slight inflammatory process.
Consequences of parasite activity
The bloodsucker injects saliva under the skin, which contains substances that interfere with blood clotting. When the enzyme enters the body, an allergy occurs. The parasite leaves waste products in the blood, which cause even more intense itching.
If he dug under the skin 1 time, there will be no harm to health. Systematic attacks are dangerous as they can lead to allergies. In severe cases, the disease is manifested by difficulty breathing, fever, and gastrointestinal dysfunction. Allergies are accompanied by dermatitis and urticaria. Fleas carry especially dangerous pathologies:
- salmonellosis;
- encephalitis;
- hepatitis;
- typhoid.
Sand fleas can penetrate human skin:
Flea bites cause not only physical, but also psychological discomfort to a person. Nervousness occurs, and some people develop psychosis.
If a bite is found, you need to disinfect the wound, eliminate itching and irritation.You should treat the skin with a solution of laundry soap or an antibacterial composition, then apply ice, wait a minute and apply an antiseptic (brilliant green or iodine).
It is interesting: how to get fleas out of the house
Why bites are dangerous
Important! The consequence of the bite is a long-lasting severe itching. In addition, an allergic reaction to enzymes and proteins that fleas inject during a bite can begin. Because of this, severe swelling, inflammation and irritation of the skin begins.
In addition, fleas are carriers of many diseases.
Attention! If there are signs of a bite, it is advisable to see a doctor. When scratching the wound, the severity of the injuries sustained can increase significantly.
Allergy
The symptom appears most frequently. It is considered a consequence of the body's reaction to an enzyme that is injected by a flea into the human bloodstream. How severe the allergy will be depends on individual sensitivity. Some patients may experience severe itching, while others may experience anaphylactic shock.
Important! All these reactions necessarily require a doctor's consultation. Assistance should be provided if necessary. For treatment, antihistamines must be used. If the body temperature rises, it is required to use antipyretic and sedative drugs.
Typical signs of allergies:
- Excitability.
- Dermati .;
- Migraine.
- Hyperthermia.
- Unpleasant sensations.
Stains
After a flea bite, darkening often remains on a person's skin. Most often this is a reaction to an enzyme. They are located, as a rule, on open areas of the skin, especially often on the legs.
Initially, darkening is red and insignificant in size, then begins to grow rapidly, forming a large spot. In the affected area, the temperature is elevated and swelling is pronounced. Blistering is possible.
Papules
May appear with massive bites or scratching wounds. It takes a very long time.
Bubbles
Appear immediately after received microtraumas. The bites resemble small bubbles. Most often they are located in multiples.
What diseases and infections do they carry
Fleas can transmit the following infections through the blood:
- Anthrax.
- Tularemia.
- Encephalitis.
- Plague.
- Salmonellosis.
Allergic reaction
The most dangerous attack of bloodsucking is for allergy sufferers; without timely medical care, serious complications can develop. In the saliva of a flea, there are irritants that can cause an increase in temperature, fever, difficulty breathing, and laryngeal edema may develop. In difficult situations without medical assistance, deaths are possible.
But even the healthiest person is not protected, since a purulent rash is likely to develop, headaches will appear and body temperature rises, which indicates the development of pulicosis in a person. In addition, parasites carry salmonellosis, plague, and worms.
Medications
To reduce the effect of symptoms, drugs are used. It can be:
Fenistil
It is used against severe itching. Before processing, it is required to wipe the affected area with gauze or cotton wool soaked in an antiseptic solution.
Sinaflan
This ointment is analogous to fenistil. The method of application is the same. Has a wound healing effect.
Attention! Cannot be used by pregnant and lactating women, in the presence of certain skin diseases.
Diphenhydramine
An effective remedy that helps against a variety of stings. It also has an analgesic effect.
Hydrocortisone
A universal medication produced in the form of a cream or ointment. Used to prevent allergies.
Folk remedies and recipes
In addition to medicines, traditional folk remedies can also provide effective assistance.
Decoctions
The best action against flea bites has a decoction of lavender flowers. To prevent an allergic reaction, it is recommended to drink a decoction of parsley leaves or roots.
Herbal juice
Plantain and dandelion leaves have a strong anti-itch effect. For use, they need to be ground to obtain a liquid.
