Fleas (patient information)

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Fleas

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

Who is at highest risk?

When to seek urgent medical care?

Diagnosis

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Fleas?

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Prevention

Fleas On the Web

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

Images of Fleas

Videos on Fleas

FDA on Fleas

CDC on Fleas

Fleas in the news

Blogs on Fleas

Directions to Hospitals Treating Fleas

Risk calculators and risk factors for Fleas

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Fleas are blood-sucking insects that feed on humans, dog, cats, and other animals. Fleas do not have wings

What are the symptoms of Fleas?

  • Hives
  • Itching (can be severe, and may be all over or just where the rash is located)
  • Rash with small bumps that itch and may bleed
  • Located on the armpit or fold of a joint (at the elbow, knee, or ankle)
  • The amount of skin affected increases over time (enlarging skin rash or lesion) or the rash spreads to other areas
  • When pressed the area turns white (blanches to touch)

Skin folds, such as under the breasts or in the groin may be affected (intertrigo) Swelling only around a sore or injury

Note: Symptoms often begin suddenly (within hours).

What causes Fleas?

Fleas prefer to live on dogs and cats, but may also be found on humans and other available animals.

Who is at highest risk?

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.

Diagnosis

No testing is necessary.

Treatment options

The 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.

Where to find medical care for Fleas?

Directions to Hospitals Treating Fleas

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Getting rid of fleas can be difficult and takes persistence.

Possible complications

Scratching can lead to a skin infection.

Prevention of Fleas

Prevention 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

Sources

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001329.htm

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