Fleas, in fact, are temporary bloodsucking ectoparasites, that is particular types of parasites that live on the external surface of the host feeding on its blood. They can infest both mammals (including humans) and birds and can represent the vector of contagion of various microorganisms responsible for numerous infections.This is precisely the reason why flea bites are so feared and why preventing their infestations (even in domestic environments) is essential.
Although fleas preferentially infect animals, this article will focus primarily on the characteristics and risks associated with flea bites in humans.
and feet.which can be associated with pain, especially following scratching and continuous rubbing. Sometimes, the area affected by flea bites may have mild to moderate swelling. The swelling rarely reaches severe degrees.
Finally, in predisposed and sensitive individuals, the saliva of these insects - inevitably injected into the host during the meal - can cause allergies that manifest themselves with the onset of allergic dermatitis and erythema associated with intense itching.
Possible Complications of Flea Bites
In addition to the potential transmission of pathogens, the constant scratching and rubbing of the lesions caused by flea bites can lead to grazes and wounds of the skin, which can lead to infections.
Please Note
If you experience additional symptoms in addition to pain and itching and / or if pus has formed at the lesions caused by flea bites, you should contact your doctor immediately. This is because the appearance of "abnormal" symptoms and the formation of pus could be clear signs of a possible infection.
Flea Bites in Animals
The symptoms of flea bites in animals are similar to those described for humans. The bites themselves and the resulting injuries, in fact, can cause the animal pain and, above all, very intense itching. Because of this last symptom, the animal is inclined to scratch itself continuously with the risk of damaging the skin and favoring possible superinfections.
Furthermore, even in sensitive animals there is the possibility of developing allergic reactions (flea allergy dermatitis or FAD).
, viruses and parasites) that can be transmitted. Therefore, some of the main microorganisms - responsible for causing disease in humans - that can be transmitted through flea bites will be listed below.Yersinia pestis
This bacterium affects rodents and is subsequently transmitted to fleas that feed on their blood. The beating can then be transmitted by fleas to other rodents or even to humans, causing the plague. Fortunately, in Italy, this disease has now been eradicated. However, the aforementioned beating can be transmitted by rat flea bites. (Xenopsylla cheopis) And of man (Pulex irritans).
Rickettsia typhi
There Rickettsia typhi is the beating responsible for the onset of murine typhus. The pathogen is usually transmitted to humans by rat flea bites (Xenopsylla cheopis).
Francisella tularensis
It is the beating responsible for tularemia, better known as "rabbit fever". Generally, it is transmitted by the bites of fleas belonging to the genus Spilopsyllus species cuniculi that infest, in fact, rabbits.
Bartonella henselae
This beating gives rise to the so-called cat scratch disease, because it is usually transmitted through scratches or bites from domestic or stray cats. However, fleas can also be vectors of contagion for this microorganism, both from cat to cat and from cat to human.
Parasites
Fleas are also vectors of parasites, among which we find those belonging to the genus Hymenolepsis And Dipylidium (particularly, Dipylidium caninum or dog tapeworm). These are flatworms that cause intestinal parasites and are usually transmitted by cat and dog fleas (respectively, Ctenocephalides felis And C. canis) and rat fleas (Xenopsylla cheopis). However, these parasites are not transmitted by flea bites, but through their ingestion.
Such a transmission, in adequate hygienic conditions, can hardly occur in humans who, in order to introduce the parasite into their intestine, would have to involuntarily eat insects infested by it.
Therefore, transmission of these flatworms is much more likely in dogs, cats, or other animals that tend to bite and lick their fur to clean themselves or to get relief from flea bites.
of ice on the injuries.However, if the wheals or blisters resulting from flea bites are particularly bothersome, the doctor may decide to prescribe the administration of steroidal anti-inflammatories for topical use, such as hydrocortisone-based ointments (Foille Insetti®).
In case of allergic reactions, however, the doctor may prescribe the administration of topical antihistamines, such as, for example, dimethindene (Fenistil gel®) or diphenhydramine (Allergan®).
Cures and Treatments for Infections Transmitted by Flea Bites
Fortunately, the contraction of infections following flea bites does not seem to be a particularly widespread phenomenon in Italy, even if such an event cannot be completely excluded. of fleas on your body, you must immediately contact your doctor who will make all necessary checks. Generally, the doctor prescribes the execution of special blood tests to highlight the presence of any infections and pathogens. If successful, the doctor may decide to undertake prophylactic drug therapy in order to prevent the onset of possible infectious diseases.
In the event that the patient has already manifested the symptoms of any of the diseases that can potentially be transmitted by flea bites, however, the doctor will immediately prescribe specific treatments to combat the responsible pathogen (drug therapy based on antibiotics and / or antibacterials, antivirals or antiparasitics, possibly associated with supportive and symptomatic therapies).
and are not treated with suitable pesticides.
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