Fleas are small insects that always bite and suck the blood of humans and warm-blooded animals, such as dogs and cats. Ticks are difficult to find because of their small size. In addition, fleas also move so fast that it is difficult to see with the naked eye. If you think you have been bitten by a tick, examine the bite mark to determine the cause. If you have pets, they may have flea bite marks on their bodies. You can also try to find fleas and their droppings directly.
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Method 1 of 3: Recognizing Flea Bites on Humans
Step 1. Observe the bite marks on the feet and ankles
Lice generally bite parts of the human body that are easily accessible from the ground, such as the feet, calves, and ankles. Lice also generally bite the area around the waist (the gap between the shirt and pants) or the area above the socks.
Due to the unique feeding habits of fleas, flea bites generally look like spots
Step 2. Observe the firm reddish spots
Unlike insect bites, flea bites generally do not swell. Flea bites usually look like small red spots with a white dot in the center.
- A puncture mark may be visible in the center of the tick bite.
- Flea bites may bleed or scab if they are scratched frequently.
Step 3. Observe the bite for itching or pain
One of the symptoms of a tick bite is intense itching, although some people may experience itching more often than others. Flea bites may also be painful.
- If possible, don't scratch the flea bite too often. If you scratch too often, the tick bite will become infected and itchy.
- Try to stop the itching by applying a topical cream, such as calamine lotion or antihistamine cream.
Step 4. Observe the blisters if you are sensitive to tick bites
If you are allergic to flea bites, the reaction may be more severe. Flea bites may swell and blister in the center. Flea bites will eventually break and harden.
Warning:
Generally, flea bites do not cause an allergic reaction that is too severe. However, you need immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms of shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, or swelling of your face, mouth, lips, or tongue after being bitten or stung by an insect.
Step 5. Watch for fleas
If you think you have been bitten by a tick, try to find the tick directly. Ticks are very small insects (lice are 1-3 mm long, or slightly smaller than a sesame seed), are black or dark brown in color, and can jump. Lice are commonly seen crawling through the hair of humans or animals. Fleas have no wings.
If you wear bright colored socks, you may be able to find ticks on your feet or ankles more easily
Method 2 of 3: Finding Flea Bites on Pets
Step 1. Observe pets that often scratch or bite their skin
If a pet is bitten by a tick, it will feel very itchy. Your dog or cat may be scratching their skin more often or biting in areas where their nails cannot reach them.
An animal bitten by a tick may appear restless or grumpy
Step 2. Watch for coarse, thin, or uneven pet hair
If your pet frequently scratches or bites his skin, his hair may be damaged or thinned. In addition, the allergen content in flea saliva can also cause pet hair to fall out. Check for pets with unkempt, coarse, or dirty looking hair.
Most cats who are allergic to fleas will lose most of their hair. Dogs generally experience hair loss at the base of the tail
Step 3. Observe the cut or scab on the pet's skin
Pets that are bitten by fleas generally have a visible spot or scab, especially in areas where they are often scratched or bitten. Look for cuts or scabs on your pet's tail, buttocks, legs, and neck.
- You may notice redness and irritation, or areas of your pet's skin that are thickened and discolored.
- If your pet is allergic to flea bites, the bite marks will ooze or harden.
Take note:
Sores or scabs on dogs and cats that are irritated will generally become infected. Watch for signs of infection in the wound, such as pus coming out of the scab or the wound emitting an unpleasant odor.
Step 4. Check for fleas in your pet's hair or bedding
Even if you don't see it in person, fleas often leave a trail of dirt that looks like dark spots on your pet's hair or bedding. Try combing your pet's hair for any live dirt and fleas.
- Brush the pet over a white surface, such as white cloth or paper. This is done so that dirt and fallen fleas can be seen clearly.
- To prevent fleas from escaping or roaming your home, you can also comb your pet over a sink or bathtub filled with foaming water. By doing this, fleas that fall from your pet's hair will immediately sink into the water.
- Since flea droppings are made of blood, the water may turn red or reddish-brown when mixed with flea droppings.
- Focus on areas of your pet's body that may be inhabited by a lot of fleas. For example, fleas will generally gather on the ears, neck, back, and base of the dog's tail. In cats, fleas will generally gather on the back of the neck or head.
Method 3 of 3: Preventing Flea Bites
Step 1. Make sure your pet is always indoors whenever possible
If you are bitten by fleas, your household pet may have fleas. Pets such as dogs and cats are very easy to catch fleas when outdoors. Therefore, the best way to keep fleas away from your home is to keep your pet indoors.
- If your pet wants to get out of the house, keep fleas away from him by wearing a flea collar. You can also use flea control on pets.
- Some places in the open are generally inhabited by a lot of fleas. If your pet is suddenly attacked by fleas after visiting the park, try taking your pet to a different place and see how it develops.
Step 2. Treat pets with fleas appropriately
If your pet has fleas, treating your pet properly can help reduce your risk of being bitten by fleas. Make sure you brush your pet's hair regularly to remove fleas and eggs. Use an anti-flea shampoo or insecticide that is safe for pets.
- A tick treatment that is safe for one species may not be safe for another. For example, never apply flea medication containing permethrin to cats.
- Some good flea treatments are flea medications, such as Frontline and Advantage, or flea shampoos such as Adams Flea & Tick Shampoo.
- There are also oral medications that work quickly. This medicine can be used to treat pets that have lots of fleas. Some brands of oral flea treatment for pets are Sentry Capguard and PetArmor Fastcaps.
- You can also buy flea necklaces. Anti-flea necklaces can kill and prevent lice. However, some flea collars contain insecticides that are harmful to pets and humans, such as tetrachlorvinphos, carbaryl, and propoxur.
Step 3. Clean pet bedding regularly
Flea eggs, larvae, and pupae may congregate in places where pets or pets usually sleep or visit. To keep fleas away from pets, use a vacuum cleaner on their bedding. Wash bedding with a long washing cycle and using warm water.
- If your pet's bedding can't be washed, or if it's covered in dirt and fleas, throw it away and replace it with a new one.
- Also clean toys and objects that pets often sleep on, such as carpets or blankets.
- If your pet uses your bed frequently, clean the sheets and pillowcases regularly.
Step 4. Use a vacuum cleaner to clean floors, carpets and furniture
In addition to cleaning areas frequented by pets, cleaning the entire house can also help remove unhatched flea eggs and pupae. Use a vacuum cleaner regularly to clean the entire house, especially areas frequented by pets.
Immediately empty the dirt container on the vacuum cleaner. You can also remove the dust bag and throw it outside
Step 5. Try to get rid of the lice thoroughly using an insecticide
If your house is infested with fleas, the best way to get rid of them is to apply pesticides all over the house. You can buy a flea control product or contact a pest control to fix this problem.
- Flea products are sold in the form of sprays or “bug bombs”. This product is specially designed to spread insecticides throughout the house.
- You may need to reapply the insecticide after a few weeks to make sure all the live lice are dead.
Warning:
Check the safety information of flea products carefully before applying them all over the house. You may need to take your pet out of the house when applying this product. This is done so that the pet does not inhale the harmful chemicals contained in the product.
