4 Ways to Cure Flea Bites

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 10:50

While most ticks are harmless and just need to be removed, knowing the symptoms of the various diseases that ticks can transmit is important for preventing life-threatening diseases, such as Lyme disease. Fleas usually live in the body of pets, tall grass, and forests. Lice eat by biting and sucking human blood. While that may sound disgusting, flea bites are easy to treat and rarely require consulting a doctor.

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Method 1 of 4: Treating Flea Bites

Step 1. Remove lice with tweezers

Pinch the tick as close to the skin as possible and remove it slowly and firmly. Make sure that there are no broken pieces of the tick that are left in the skin.

If there is a broken part of the tick that is left in the skin, leave it alone because the body can handle it

Step 2. Store fleas in the freezer

If disease develops, your doctor will likely want to examine the tick that has bitten you. Place the tick in a plastic clip bag and store in the freezer.

Step 3. Wash off the flea bite with soap and water

Use a washcloth to disinfect and clean flea bites.

Step 4. Apply an antibiotic ointment to the tick bite, then cover it with a bandage

This method is effective in relieving redness and minor irritation within 2-3 days.

Step 5. Watch for circular red rashes on tick bites that could be an indication of Lyme disease

Other symptoms of Lyme disease that can also occur are joint pain, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. Immediately consult a doctor.

Not all cases of Lyme disease develop the characteristic circular red rash. So, be aware of other symptoms as well

Step 6. Watch out for headaches, rashes, fever, and nausea that may be indicative of other illnesses

There are some rare, but dangerous, diseases that require immediate treatment. If you feel unwell after being bitten by a tick, talk to your doctor. Don't forget to bring the tick that has bitten you (can be stored in the freezer beforehand).

Step 7. Machine dry the clothes on a high temperature to kill any remaining fleas

Wash clothes well and dry on high temperature for 1 hour.

Step 8. Use a mirror to check your body for lice

Take off your clothes and check the whole body. Immediately remove any fleas found.

Method 2 of 4: Getting Rid of Ticks

Step 1. Use tweezers to pinch the tick as close to the skin as possible

Position the tip of the tweezers as close to the underside of the tick as possible to prevent the tick from breaking when removed.

Step 2. Pull up with a firm, even force

Use even force to gently remove the tick from the skin. Do not twist, grab, or jerk the tick to prevent the flea's mouth from breaking and remaining in the skin. Pull out the tick like pulling an arrow on a bow steadily.

Do not use excessive force if the tick cannot be removed easily. Remove the tick as gently as possible

Step 3. Use tweezers to pick up all the remaining pieces of the tick

If the flea's mouth is broken and remains in the skin, gently remove it with tweezers. However, if it can't be removed, just let it sit while the skin heals itself.

Step 4. Don't apply petrolatum or nail polish to the tick or "coax" the tick away with heat

Just remove the tick with tweezers.

Step 5. Wash the tick bite well with soap and water

This step keeps the tick bite clean and uninfected. Cover the tick bite with a bandage and let it heal on its own, usually within 2-3 days.

If you have one, apply a topical antibacterial cream, such as Neosporin, to prevent tick bites from becoming infected

Step 6. Save the tick so that it can be checked later if needed

If you develop symptoms from a tick bite, your doctor will likely want to examine the tick that has bitten you to confirm a diagnosis. Place the tick in a plastic clip bag or dry glass bottle and store it in the freezer for later inspection if needed.

Step 7. Consult a doctor if the tick bite becomes infected

Signs of an infected tick bite include pain, pus, redness, swelling, and red streaks that spread from the tick bite.

Method 3 of 4: Diagnosing Diseases Transmitted by Ticks

Step 1. Consult a doctor immediately if you experience a rash, joint pain, headache, or fever

These are common symptoms of tick-borne diseases. Because tick-borne diseases spread quickly, consult a doctor as soon as possible after symptoms appear.

If you have a tick that has bitten you, take it with you so that it can be examined by a doctor

Step 2. Recognize the symptoms of Lyme disease

Lyme disease is the most common disease transmitted by ticks. If left untreated, this disease can cause serious problems in the muscles, joints, and brain. Symptoms of Lyme disease, which usually begin to appear within 3-30 days of being bitten by a tick, include:

A red rash resembling a shooting target at the tick bite area
Fever, chills
Joint pain
Swollen lymph nodes

Step 3. Recognize the symptoms of STARI (Southern Tick Associated Rash Illness)

STARI occurs only on the east coast of America, from the southeastern edge of Nebraska to Maine and Florida. This disease is transmitted by the tick Amblyomma americanum. Symptoms of this disease include:

A red rash (2-4 cm wide) that appears within 1 week of being bitten by a tick
Tired
Headache
Muscle ache

Step 4. Recognize the symptoms of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Transmitted by many species of ticks, this disease, which is a bacterial infection, can be fatal if left untreated. If any of the following symptoms occur, consult a doctor immediately because treatment is most effective if it is started within 5 days of being infected.

Sudden headache and fever
Rash (although there are many patients who do not experience this symptom)
Nauseous vomit
Stomach pain
Red eye
Muscle or joint pain

Step 5. Recognize the symptoms of Ehrlichiosis

The disease is transmitted by many species of ticks and occurs throughout the United States and South America. If detected early, treatment is usually only in the form of antibiotics. However, if not treated immediately, this disease can cause serious problems. Symptoms of this disease include:

Fever, chills
Headache
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Confused or unable to think
Red eye
Rash (in 60% of pediatric patients and less than 30% of adult patients)

Step 6. Recognize the symptoms of Tularemia

The disease kills many rodents and rabbits each year, but is usually curable quickly with antibiotics when it occurs in humans. Symptoms of this disease include:

Red sores that resemble blisters from tick bites
Red and irritated eyes
Sore throat, tonsillitis
Cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath (in severe cases)

Method 4 of 4: Preventing Flea Bites

Step 1. Know the places where ticks usually like

Ticks generally live in tall grass, forests, and shrubs. Walk in the middle of the trail as you hike to avoid coming into contact with areas where ticks may be living.

Step 2. Wear long sleeves and long pants when climbing

Long-sleeved shirts and long pants can protect the body from tick bites. Tuck the hem of your pants inside socks or boots to prevent fleas from crawling under your clothes.

Step 3. Apply an insect repellent containing 20-30% DEET on the skin that is not covered by clothing

This method is most effective in preventing flea bites. Spray DEET on the skin every 2-3 hours to prevent tick bites. Be careful not to let DEET get in your nose, eyes or mouth.

If you can't use DEET, some people who prefer the natural method use 2-3 drops of the strongly scented Pelargonium graveolens oil to naturally prevent tick bites

Step 4. Coat clothing, tents and equipment with 5% permethrin

This chemical can't be applied to the skin because it's too toxic, but it's a good flea repellent and doesn't go away after 5-6 washes. Clothing that is advertised as “flea-proof” is coated in this substance.

Step 5. Permethrin should not be applied to the skin.

Step 6. Take a shower or bath as soon as you get home

Many lice stick to the body for several hours before biting. Wash your body with soap and water to get rid of the lice and check to see if anyone has bitten.

Step 7. Use a mirror or ask a friend to help check your entire body for lice

Lice can stick to clothing and bite any part of the body. So, also check the forearm area, behind the ears and knees, and hair.

Do this check as soon as possible after leaving the forest

Step 8. Machine dry clothes at high temperature to kill lice

Any lice that remain on the clothes will die when the clothes are tumble dried. Dry the clothes on a high temperature for 1 hour to kill any remaining fleas.