Flea Bites

Of all insect or arthropod bites, flea bites are among the most common. Children may be bitten by human, cat, or dog fleas (insect family Pulicidae).  Most flea bites in the United States are primarily from the common cat flea, with instances of dog fleas being very rare.  Cat fleas will readily infest and bite both cats and dogs, and their bites can result in severe itching and sores on the pet. 

The appearance of a flea bite on a dog, cat, or human is often misdiagnosed initially as being from other allergies or insects.  In humans, most flea bites occur below the knee, with instances on other parts of the body being less common.  Individuals with flea bites all over their bodies, and on their heads in particular, should investigate the possibility that their flea bites are not from the flea at all. 

People often complain they wake up in the morning to discover they have flea bites on their bodies that they suffered during the night while they were in their beds sleeping.  This is most likely not an accurate assessment.  The problem might be caused by fleas, but very often the flea bites were suffered prior to entering the bed, with the onset of symptoms delayed until later.  This is true because fleas are external parasites which do not typically infest a mattress - fleas are always actively searching for a host to feed on, not a hiding spot such a dresser or bed comforter.  Fleas also find their food by detecting vibrations, so a stationary and sleeping body is not the most noticeable target for fleas to bite.

Animals will suffer flea bites all over their bodies, as the fleas ability to reach any part of the animal from the ground is very easy.  One jump and the flea is there.  With humans, this is typically not the case.

Flea bites in animals will often appear as small red bumps, though animals and humans that are not allergic to fleas will often disply no signs of flea bites even though a full infestation of fleas is present.  Some animals suffer severe allergies that cause the skin to become dry and flaky, itchy and scratchy, or present with larger sores.  It is not uncommon for animals to lose their hair as a result of their allergies to flea bites.  One flea bite can send many pets into a severe allergic reaction resulting in symptoms all over the pet's body.