Fleas are blood-sucking insects that feed on humans, dog, cats, and other animals. Fleas do not have wings.
Alternative NamesDog fleas; Siphonaptera
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsFleas prefer to live on dogs and cats, but may also be found on humans and other available animals. Pet owners may not be bothered by fleas until their pet is gone for a lengthy period of time, and the fleas must find another place to go. This is when they begin to bite humans. Bites frequently occur around the waist, ankles, armpits, and in the bend of the elbows and knees.
SymptomsNote: Symptoms often begin suddenly (within hours).
Signs and testsNo testing is necessary.
TreatmentThe goal of treatment is to get rid of the fleas by treating the home, pets, and outside areas with insecticide. Small children should not be in the home when insecticides are being used. Birds and fish must be protected during spraying. Home foggers and flea collars do not always work. If home treatments do not work, professional extermination may be needed.
If flea bites occur, an over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone cream can help relieve itching.
Expectations (prognosis)Getting rid of fleas can be difficult and takes persistence.
ComplicationsScratching can lead to a secondary skin infection.
PreventionPrevention may not be possible in all cases. Use of insecticides may be helpful if fleas are common in your area. Professional extermination may be necessary in some cases.
Fleas are blood-sucking insects that feed on humans, dog, cats, and other animals. Fleas do not have wings.
Alternative NamesDog fleas; Siphonaptera
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsFleas prefer to live on dogs and cats, but may also be found on humans and other available animals.
Pet owners may not be bothered by fleas until their pet is gone for a long period of time, and the fleas must find another place to go. This is when they begin to bite humans. Bites often occur around the waist, ankles, armpits, and in the bend of the elbows and knees.
SymptomsNote: Symptoms often begin suddenly (within hours).
Signs and testsNo testing is necessary.
TreatmentThe goal of treatment is to get rid of the fleas by treating the home, pets, and outside areas with insecticide. Small children should not be in the home when insecticides are being used. Birds and fish must be protected during spraying. Home foggers and flea collars do not always work. If home treatments do not work, professional extermination may be needed.
If flea bites occur, an over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone cream can help relieve itching.
Expectations (prognosis)Getting rid of fleas can be difficult and takes persistence.
ComplicationsScratching can lead to a skin infection.
PreventionPrevention may not be possible in all cases. Use of insecticides may be helpful if fleas are common in your area. Professional extermination may be necessary in some cases.
ReferencesHabif TM. Infestations and bites. In: Habif TP, ed. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa:Mosby Elsevier;2009:chap 15.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 10/28/2010
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
I do not have fleas, but it is possible for humans to fleas. Usually though fleas stick to dogs and cats etc.
Fleas on a rabbit are just called fleas, and a rabbit with fleas is just called a rabbit with fleas. If your rabbit has fleas, the safest way to treat it is to take the rabbit to a vet.
While cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) and dog fleas (Ctenocephalides cannis) are two different species, most of the fleas found on dogs are actually cat fleas.
Yes, there are fleas in Alaska. The fleas can be on house pets such as dogs and cats. Fleas can also be on wild animals such as bears.
Some fleas are there but most fleas stay on.
Yes, fleas is the plural form of the noun flea, referring to the parasitic insect. The collective noun for a group of fleas is a swarm.Examples:I was bitten by a flea.That dog is covered in fleas!Her house was infested with a swarm of fleas.
The fleas; but the rats carried the fleas. So in a sense both.
No, bird fleas cannot get into cats. There are different kinds of fleas.
Due to their fur type, it is unlikely that they will get fleas. However, if you have a cat or dog with fleas, the fleas can end up on the sugar glider.
yes or no because if a person had fleas and they picked it up it could get fleas
Yes, if you or your pets have had fleas, the fleas will infest your house unless you exterminate them with insecticide.
probably they can if they had fleas lol :)