Nearly more than 50% of American families own pets, and half of those pets share their owners’ beds. Our pets, especially dogs, as well as other household animals, may spread illnesses, often known as zoonoses. While many species of crawly little monsters have been put under the spotlight, what about the flea? Do people and their pets acquire fleas from each other? Follow our guide as there is a lot you can do to change the situation.
From Dogs to Humans
Dogs, and other pets, may serve as carriers for the transfer of fleas. Fleas tend to leave behind dark spots on your white socks or on your carpet; this can be easier to notice if the fabric is of lighter color.
While pets undeniably enhance our quality of life in various ways, becoming closer to our animals does present us with an increased risk of contracting ectoparasites like fleas. Yet, there is no need to worry, you are not putting your dog in the doghouse just because you may acquire fleas. While most animals host a single flea species, there are thousands of flea species out there; and most animal hosts have one particular flea species that like to live on that specific animal. Though the dog flea may successfully leap to people and bite us, the flea that dogs often carry is unable to live on humans.
First, fleas in dogs only feed on dog blood. Finally, human skin isn’t thick enough to offer a sufficient layer of concealment, nor is there the warm climate that fleas seek in a home. Once they’ve determined where they want to go, fleas will often decide to return to your dog or choose a safer location in your house. Using your house to treat fleas is essential to effective flea control.
Required Steps If You Catch Fleas
Insect bites, in particular flea bites, are very unique. It is probable that you have fleas if you discover black, tiny bugs jumping around the house and find yourself experiencing itchiness at the same time. Flea bites don’t scar. Other possible symptoms include a red halo surrounding the bite site, red pimples around the ankles or legs, and bites in groups of three or four.
In addition, bite treatments for fleas are not required for humans. Using soap and water, applying an anti-itch lotion to the affected areas when needed, and abstaining from scratching can sufficiently hasten the healing process. However, for your pet, these cases might differ. In severe infestations, particularly with the young or weakened, fleas on dogs may induce hot patches and anemia. Other parasites can also be found on fleas and they transmit many illnesses as well. These secondary parasites can transmit the bubonic plague, which is one of the most frequent tapeworms seen in dogs and cats, and the lowly common tapeworm as well.
Though this may seem frightening, you need to realize that fleas on people typically stay on the body for less than two bites. However, it is important to start treating your pet as soon as possible; it is especially critical to have a fecal test done on your pet if you find fleas on either one of you.
For How Long Can Fleas Survive On Humans?
A flea is unlikely to remain on a human body for an extended period of time. Humans lack the hair and feathers that other animals and birds have, allowing them to nest and reproduce on a regular cycle. A flea is likely to be washed or scratched off before it can reproduce. However, chigoe fleas are an exceptional species of fleas that can survive on both humans and their pets; in addition to that, they burrow into human skin.
Another problem is that they may be difficult to remove. Worse yet, they may become embedded in human feet, where they can cause swelling, ulcerations, and toenail damage, and may hinder walking. Although chigoe fleas are found mostly in the tropics and subtropics, they have caused significant problems in South America and Africa.
Remember that if you notice a flea crawling on your draperies or carpet, you have evidence of a flea infestation. This is the downside of having dogs in your life. On their fur coats, you might spot plenty of dark-brown or black detritus, which may suggest a flea infestation. These are the feces left after a blood-feeding flea has gone through its routine on your pet’s skin or fur. An infected region on your dog’s skin can cause scabbing or hair loss. In addition to that, some kinds of tapeworms utilize fleas as their hosts, afflicted animals are therefore more likely to get infected with tapeworm.