How Long Does a Flea Bite Last on a Human? Everything to Know
Here's the burning (or itching) question: how long does a flea bite last on a human? Flea bites are bothersome and uncomfortable, but they reach a whole new level when they come for our loved ones. When a flea targets our pets or kids, it becomes personal. So while you are figuring out the scope of the problem and how to help it go away, here is how long you can expect to deal with the discomfort.
Why Do Fleas Bite?
Before delving into when you can expect your flea bite to go away, we should first establish why fleas do what they do. Unlike a kid going down a slide, fleas do not just bite us and our pets for fun. Instead, they do it because they have to survive. Fleas sustain themselves with blood from mammals.
Once the fleas you are involuntarily housing are well fed, they are ready to breed. An adult female flea is capable of laying approximately 40 eggs per day.
Like dirty loads of laundry, they multiply quickly. If the issue is not gotten under control quickly, these pests can easily wreak itchy havoc around your home.
Digging a bit deeper, when a flea bites, it makes you into a blood meal and injects a bit of its own saliva into the skin. This saliva is a cocktail of proteins that human bodies don't tolerate well. It's what kicks your immune system into a fighting state as it tries to get rid of the foreign substance, leading to the itchy, often infuriating reaction. The saliva acts as an anticoagulant, which is how the flea gets its fill before hopping off. This clever but annoying mechanism causes itching and allergic reactions, which can be particularly severe for some people.
Do Fleas Bite Humans?
When many of us think of fleas, we automatically think of their impact on our furry friends. Fleas are a nuisance that no dog, cat, or pet parent wants to deal with. Generally, people want to get rid of their pet's fleas to ease the animal's discomfort. Well, that, and that having these little pests around is just plain icky.
What people might not realize, though, is that fleas are more than happy to consume human blood too. While fleas might prefer to use fuzzier creatures as their hosts, they are perfectly capable of biting people. In fact, fleas often make a home in our mattresses, carpets, and upholstered furniture.
People might think that they can't get a flea infestation simply because they don't have any pets. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Fleas can come from a variety of sources, so even if you do not have an animal companion, you might still find fleas hitching a ride in your home.
These environments offer a warm place for fleas to lay their eggs. Not only that but living in a mattress also gives them a lovely opportunity to come out and bite people at night.
Fleas can jump from your pet to you to all sorts of furniture around the house. If you see fleas in one area of your home, it is reasonable to assume that they have traveled all over the place.
What Does a Flea Bite Feel Like?
You are unlikely to feel the exact moment that a flea bites you, but you will probably feel the resulting discomfort for days to come. A flea bite is unpleasantly itchy, but the area around the bite can also feel sore.
Fleas have a tendency to go for humans' feet and ankles, which distinguishes them from other pesky creatures like bed bugs or bees.
The sensation of a flea bite can range from a mild annoyance to a major discomfort, depending on who you are. Some people might notice a tiny, bothersome itch that doesn't last a very long time. Others could find themselves in a battle against an insatiable itch that no amount of scratching can satisfy (and scratching can make it worse, so it's never recommended). Finally, there are those who might develop more severe reactions, like hives or swelling, a more intense allergic response to flea saliva that could even lead to secondary infections.
Factors Affecting the Duration of Flea Bites
What makes one person's flea bite vanish by morning while another's lingers for days? What exactly makes it harder to answer how long does a flea bite last on a human? A few factors come into play regarding bites on humans. First off, your immune system's response can turn a simple bite into a week-long struggle. People with sensitive skin or more pronounced allergic reactions to flea saliva might notice their bites stick around longer and feel more intense.
There is also the bite care factor—keeping itchy spots clean and resisting the urge to scratch can help speed up healing. Use ice packs and other natural remedies for flea bites, like a calamine lotion or a flea bite patch to make it heal faster.
Why Are Flea Bites Itchy?
Like mosquito bites, flea bites are itchy because of our response to the bugs' saliva. When fleas bite us, they deposit saliva into our bloodstreams. Our body immediately recognizes flea saliva as a foreign substance, so it gets to work eliminating the perceived threat.
The body does this by sending histamines to the affected area. It is the histamines that cause an itching and swelling response. Ultimately, it's not so much the bite that causes the reaction but the saliva the fleas leave behind.
Why Do Some People Experience More Itchiness With Flea Bites Than Others?
Even in the same household, people might experience dramatically different reactions to flea bites. Some family members could find themselves itching long into the night, while others are largely unaffected. To better understand this phenomenon, it is helpful to think of a flea bite as an allergy.
The body is allergic to flea saliva, which is why it attempts to remove the substance. Some people's bodies will react more strongly than others, indicating a more severe allergy to flea bites.
Those with a more severe allergy will experience longer and more uncomfortable symptoms since their body releases more histamines to combat the threat.
What Do Flea Bites Look Like?
A flea bite looks different than a mosquito or bed bug bite. Flea bites are small, red bumps that generally occur around the feet or ankles.
Meanwhile, a mosquito bite is a larger raised area and likely is not as red. A bed bug bite is also a small, red spot. Bed bugs tend to opt for the upper areas of the body rather than the lower.
Flea bites often appear in either a straight line or with many in a small area. A discolored ring can also appear around the bite, depending on your body's reaction to the foreign substance.
When Will a Flea Bite Go Away?
At last, we have reached the crux of this article. If you are someone who experiences intense itchiness as a result of flea saliva, you will inevitably wonder when your discomfort will end. Of course, this timetable will depend on your exact definition of “go away.”
You are likely to notice the redness fading within the first week after being bitten. However, you might still experience some itchiness and lingering sensitivity for a little while after. This sensitivity can extend even further if you ignore our tip from earlier and scratch at the bite.
We understand that it can be challenging to resist a good scratch at times, but it really is crucial to abstain as much as possible. Otherwise, you could end up accidentally breaking the skin. Once you have done that, the wound could become infected, and the bite will take much longer to scab over and eventually heal.
People will also experience different timetables depending on how allergic they are to flea bites and saliva. Those with more severe allergies could develop a rash or welts, while those with minimal allergies might not feel a thing. People with moderate flea allergies will likely see their symptoms lessen between one and two days after being bitten.
Usually, the redness and acute itchiness start to dial down within a few days. For most, a flea bite is a short-lived annoyance, with the skin calming down and healing within a week at most. However, if it causes a more dramatic reaction or if the bite gets infected (especially from excess scratching), it will likely take longer.
Keeping the bite clean and avoiding scratching are your best bets for a speedy recovery. For those with sensitive skin or allergies, expect full healing to potentially stretch a bit longer and possibly need more medical care as your body works overtime to mend the intrusion.
How Can You Make Flea Bites Go Away Faster?
Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do to make your flea bite disappear faster. In the meantime, all that you can do is try not to make it worse and treat the symptoms as they appear. If you begin to experience a more severe reaction, it is time to see a doctor or go to the hospital.
Some of these possible symptoms include:
- A large rash or full body hives
- Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
- Swelling around the body (like the face)
- Abdominal pain
- Fever
- Dizziness
- Nausea
In addition to anti-itch remedies, try over-the-counter antihistamines to reduce itching and allergic reactions. Some essential oil for fleas, like tea tree oil, diluted in a carrier oil, can also soothe bites thanks to the antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, but be cautious as it can be irritating to some skin types. If you really need a quick, chemical-free remedy, oatmeal baths can give you widespread relief from itching and soothe your skin.
Try Not to Scratch
Making sure that you scratch as little as possible is crucial to having your flea bite heal quickly and thoroughly. Scratching might feel good at the moment, but it can have a variety of unintended consequences. Aggressive or frequent scratching can result in opening the wound, which is the last thing you want to do.
Opening the wound makes the bite take longer to heal and can also expose you to infection and other complications. It can also make the itchiness worse, which is entirely counterproductive. Instead of scratching, you should look into more productive ways to help you feel better and reduce the urge to itch, such as an itch patch.
Treatment and Relief for Flea Bites
If you're the provider of blood meals for fleas, luckily there are many ways to soothe the itch and encourage healing. For starters, a cool compress can work wonders for immediate relief. Over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams are also great for calming the itch. If you're leaning towards natural remedies, the famously soothing aloe vera gel can be applied directly to the bite. Another trusty remedy is the baking soda paste (a mix of baking soda and water) that can be dabbed on the bites to reduce itching and swelling. Remember to resist the urge to scratch to prevent infection and let the bite heal faster.
How to Ease Discomfort From Itchiness
Treating the itchiness from a flea bite is much like treating the itchiness you feel from a mosquito bite. Your options are often either to just wait it out or to turn to a barrage of harsh chemicals. Luckily, more natural options will still help both you and your kids be itch-free before you know it, such as NatPat's Health and Wellness Patches.
The MagicPatch Itch Relief Patches from The Natural Patch Co. utilize the powers of Grid-Relief Technology to promote drainage, making your whole family feel better fast. This technology creates a micro-lift in the skin, which helps your body release the biochemicals and histamines that created the uncomfortable sensation in the first place. Just put a patch over a bite as soon as you notice it, and let the sticker work its magic. Check out NatPat's Natural Outdoor Protection collection for these and many more.
If Grid-Relief Technology does not do it for you, or if you want to put itchiness to bed for good, we have another option. AllergyPatch Allergy Relief Stickers are another all-natural alternative to other itch-relievers that contain harsh chemicals. These bug bite patches use a powerful blend of essential oils, including lemon, grapefruit, black spruce, and peppermint.
Together, these oils work to relieve the most common allergy symptoms like itchiness, sneezing, and watery eyes. Just stick patches onto your and your kids' clothes to let them get to work while you relax.
Preventing Flea Bites
Prevention is always better than cure. Flea bites are clearly no exception. So keep the living space clean, vacuum and wash bedding (yours and your pets') to significantly reduce the risk of flea infestations. If you have pets, flea treatments are a must. Use natural flea repellents like diatomaceous earth for the yard if the fleas seem to infest it. When hiking or walking in flea-prone areas, wear long pants and socks to physically block those jumpers from reaching your skin.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While most flea bites are more annoying than harmful, there are times when seeing a doctor is the best course of action. If you notice signs of infection around the bite site, such as increased redness, swelling, warmth, or pus, it's time to have a talk with a healthcare provider. Perhaps more pressingly, if you have severe allergic reactions like difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or lips, or dizziness, seek immediate medical attention. It's better to err on the side of caution when your body is reacting strongly to flea bites.
Get Fleas to Flee
Once you notice a flea or flea bite, you can rest assured that more are waiting in the wings. At that point, you must spring into action as quickly as possible. Every moment that you are not thoroughly cleaning your pets, clothes, and furniture is a moment that fleas could be multiplying.
While experiencing itchiness and discomfort, you can absolutely pursue a natural means of feeling better. Ultimately, the only real way to address the problem is to get rid of the fleas once and for all.
FAQs
How long do flea bites take to go away?
Once more, how long does a flea bite last on a human, specifically? Flea bites usually start to disappear within a few days. The itchiness might stick around for a bit, but you'll see the redness and swelling begin to dissipate within a week. If you're not scratching them into oblivion, they should be mostly a memory in about a week or two. Of course, this can vary if you're more sensitive or allergic to the bites.
How do you tell if a bite is from a flea?
Flea bites have a few telltale signs. They're usually tiny, red bumps that appear mainly around your feet, ankles, or legs. If you see them in groups or little lines, start suspecting fleas. Unlike mosquito bites, these pests are smaller and might have a red halo around the bite center. Plus, if you've been hanging around pets or places pets love, fleas might be the culprits.
Why are my flea bites not going away?
If flea bites are overstaying their unwelcome, a few things might be going on. Scratching them can make them stick around longer and even lead to infection, which definitely prolongs the healing process. If you're particularly sensitive or allergic to flea saliva, your body might be in overdrive, making the bites linger. If they're really not going away, or if you notice signs of infection like increased redness, swelling, or pus, it might be time to check in with a doctor.
How long do sand flea bites last on humans?
Sand flea bites can be a bit more stubborn. If you've had a run-in with them, you might notice the bites hanging around a bit longer than standard adult flea bites. They can stay itchy and irritated for up to two weeks, especially if they're not treated properly. Keep the bites clean and avoid the itch-scratch cycle. If you're reacting strongly, or if the bites seem to be getting worse, seeking medical advice is a good move.
