Flea Bites On Kids: How They Look, Treatment And Prevention

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Flea bites on children appear as tiny and itchy red bumps or welts on the skin. These occur due to the bites of fleas, which thrive on blood. Fleas are often transmitted to humans from furry pets such as dogs or cats. The fleas jump on non-living objects, such as carpets or tables, and transfer to a new host from there. However, flea infestation may occur in houses without pets, too.

The bumps due to flea bites may be painful and itchy, causing significant discomfort to the child. But, constant itching may increase the risk of secondary infection. Timely diagnosis and treatment of flea bites are important to prevent secondary infection.

Read on to know more about complications, treatment, and prevention of flea bites in children.

How Do Flea Bites Look?

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The common signs and symptoms of flea bites in children include

• Extreme itching (pruritus).
• Development of small, red, hard bumps or welts within 30 minutes of the bite.
• Soreness, swelling, and pain at the site of the bite.

The intensity and severity of these symptoms may vary from one child to another. Additionally, children sensitive to flea bites may develop an allergic reaction, causing rash, hives, or central blisters (or weal) that may break and become oozy and crusted.

Note: Flea bites commonly occur in the exposed body parts, such as the legs, feet, ankle, and waist, where there’s a gap between the shirt and trousers or skirt. However, they may also occur in the skin folds of the elbow and knees, armpits, and groin.

Quick fact

Flea bites don’t swell up to the size of a mosquito bite. They appear in a straight line or a cluster (10).

Possible Complications Of Flea Bites In Children

One of the most common complications of flea bites is a secondary bacterial or viral infection due to constant scratching or rubbing of the affected site.

Also, when a flea bites, it can transmit pathogens, such as bacteria, to humans, causing diseases such as bubonic plague, rickettsia typhus, and cat scratch fever. However, this is a rare case.

Besides these, flea bites can trigger a localized or general allergic reaction in sensitive children. The intensity of these reactions depends on the child’s sensitivity. Some of the common manifestations of an allergic reaction that a child may show are

• Extreme itching at the site of the bite.
• Rash or hives in and around the site of the bite.
• Skin irritation or dermatitis.
  

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• Nausea and vomiting.
• Breathing difficulty.

Note: AnaphylaxisⁱXA severe allergic reaction causing breathing difficulties and loss of consciousness. due to flea bite allergy has not yet been reported.

Furthermore, if a child ingests an infected flea, they may develop intestinal tapeworms. However, the chances of this complication in humans are much less than it is in pets.

Did you know?

Fleas prefer to bite animals though they can bite anyone. Body heat, breathing, movement, and vibrations are factors that can attract fleas (10).

Treatment For Flea Bites In Children

The treatment for flea bites aims at relieving the symptoms and preventing the spread of secondary infection. Here are some simple treatment measures you can take to relieve your child’s symptoms.

• Instruct your child to avoid scratching the affected site as much as possible. To ensure the scratching doesn’t do much harm, keep your child’s nails trimmed.
• Keep the affected site clean by washing it with warm water and mild antiseptic soap. Maintaining cleanliness will help prevent secondary infection risk to some extent.
• Apply cold compression or ice packs in and around the bite site to relieve swelling, soreness, and itching.
• Use skincare products, such as calamine lotion, to soothe the skin and relieve itching. You can also use anti-inflammatory and antibacterial products, such as pure aloe vera gel, to help the flea bite heal.
  

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• Consult your pediatrician regarding antihistamine use for your child to relieve allergy symptoms. According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, “an oral antihistamineⁱXDrugs used to treat allergies. can help reduce the itching of the flea bites as well as lessen any allergic reactions experienced. Topical antihistamines and anti-bacterial, in addition to tepid baths with an oatmeal solution, will help to cleanse and soothe the skin when needed.”

Image: IStock

Quick fact

The doctor may prescribe a hydrocortisone cream or ointment. Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroidⁱXA group of steroid hormones produced in the adrenal cortex that are used for treatments in synthetic form to reduce inflammation. with an anesthetic pain reliever that can help alleviate itching and swelling (10).

• Check with your child’s doctor about any treatment that might be needed for potential tapeworm infestation, as fleas can transfer this parasite through their bite.

Note: If you intend to use herbal home remedies, such as essential oils, to relieve itching and promote skin healing, consult an alternative medicine expert. An expert will help you with the right product dosage suitable for your child based on their age, general health condition, and state of the flea bite.

Despite prompt treatment, if your child’s symptoms do not improve and they complain of additional discomforts, such as increased pain, secondary infection, or fever, consult your pediatrician.

Prevention Of Flea Bites In Children

The best way to prevent flea bites is to minimize your child’s exposure to them. Here are some measures that you can observe.

1. Locate the flea source and kill them with anti-flea insecticides. Extermination is necessary as fleas reproduce rapidly, and curbing their growth becomes extremely difficult. You can find fleas in your doormats, carpets, or couch. Alternatively, they can be on your furry pets, such as cats and dogs, and in your yard, construction sites, and woody areas with tall grasses.

2. Clean the suspected indoor areas and items. As soon as you locate the area, prepare for its sanitization. For instance, you can vacuum clean rugs, couch liners, doormats, carpets, and all the other fabrics that you suspect are infested with fleas. It will help remove flea, flea eggs, and droppings. Alternatively, you can steam clean or shampoo the fabrics and use boric acid powder to prevent flea from reproducing.

Two Crazy Cat Ladies, a YouTube channel belonging to two cat-lovers from the US, mention in their vlog how the manifestation of fleas in their homes, or more specifically rugs, can be stopped. They explain, “In order to safely remove fleas from your home, you would want to stop the cycle. Flea eggs can go dormant in your carpet and hatch with the smallest vibration, which will start the cycle again, so you will need to treat your house even after you no longer see the fleas. Vacuum the carpets in your home daily and use safe natural flea treatments, both for your cats and in your home. Be consistent as it can take several weeks to break the cycle, but you can do it naturally with these tips (i).”

You could also vacuum all the crevices around baseboards, behind doors, and under furniture, cabinets, and appliances. Throw off the vacuum bag immediately once you finish cleaning.

3. Consider pest control indoors and outdoors. For instance, you can treat your home with insecticides using a hand sprayer, aerosol can, or room fogger. Alternatively, you can book a professional pest control service and let them clean the house and yard thoroughly. Here, you should note that the flea pupae don’t get affected by the insecticide. So, you may see some adult fleas in your house for up to two weeks after the treatment.

4. Talk to your child’s school or day-care facility if you suspect that the child may be getting flea bites there. While the organizations take the necessary measures to locate and combat fleas, go a little further and dress your child in weather-appropriate clothes that cover their exposed body parts, such as arms and legs.

You can clothe your child in full-arm shirts, socks, gloves, and trousers. Additionally, tuck in their shirt in their trousers and their trousers’ legs into their socks or shoes. Follow this practice even when you take your child to play outdoors.

5. Consult your healthcare provider regarding insect repellents. The doctor will suggest some non-toxic, child-friendly insect repellents that the child could wear on their skin or spray on their clothes. Fabric roll-ons are another good option. Teach your child to use insect repellents whenever they step out of the house.

6. Keep your pets flea-free. To know if your pet has fleas, observe them. For instance, if you notice your pet continually scratching themselves, especially when they spend a lot of time outdoors, there’s a high chance that they have fleas. Furthermore, if you notice salt and pepper-like mixture on your pet’s bedding or red scabs on their skin, they may have fleas. In such a scenario, consult a veterinary doctor and seek advice to treat your pet. The doctor may

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• Administer anti-flea liquid applicants, pills, or flea collars for your pet.
• Use anti-flea shampoo to bathe your pet regularly.

Quick tip

Use a flea bomb. A flea bomb is an aerosol fumigator that kills indoor fleas.

Note: Buy anti-flea products that are labeled for a particular pet. It means if you buy a dog-oriented anti-flea product, use it only on dogs and not cats. Also, keep your child away from anti-flea products and pets that have just been treated. If they want to tend to the pet, ask them to wear gloves.

Infographic: Secondary Infections Caused By Flea Bites

In addition to the common complications of flea bites, there are certain secondary infections that fleas may spread through their bite. Many people may not be aware of these infections since they tend to be uncommon among humans. We have prepared this infographic that lists the not-so-common secondary infections associated with flea bites. Read on and save it for future reference as well.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

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Dr. Arva M BhavnagarwalaMBBS, DNB

Dr. Arva Bhavnagarwala did her post-graduation from Masina Hospital in Mumbai and worked at Jaslok Hospital and Research Center as a Clinical Associate. With seven years of experience, she currently practices pediatrics at her private clinic in South Mumbai and is attached to Masina Hospital as a consultant pediatrician. Dr. Bhavnagarwala is a National Advisory Board Member of Indian Pediatrics,...more

Swati PatwalM.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA

Swati Patwal is a clinical nutritionist, a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and a toddler mom with more than a decade of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She started her career as a CSR project coordinator for a healthy eating and active lifestyle project catering to school children. Then she worked as a nutrition faculty and clinical nutrition coach in...more

Rohit GarooBSc, MBA

Rohit Garoo is a writer-turned-editor with over 9 years of experience in content writing, editing, and content marketing. He did his bachelors in Science at St. Xavier's College, Hyderabad, and masters in Business Administration at Osmania University. Also, he holds a certificate in Developmental Psychology from The University of Queensland and loves to expand his knowledge through certifications in various...more

Dr. Joyani DasM.Pharm, PhD

Dr. Joyani Das did her post-graduation from Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra and PhD in Pharmacology. Previously, she worked as an associate professor, faculty of Pharmacology, for two years. With her research background in preclinical studies and a zeal for scientific writing, she joined MomJunction as a health writer. Her research work was published in international journals and publications, such...more