Table of Contents
Fleas are widely known as tiny and irritating bugs, which mainly attack pets. However, if you have pets or settle down in places where fleas are common, the risk of undergoing flea bites is relatively high. Flea bites look distinctive. In fact, they are unlike mosquito bites [1] and quite small.
Flea bites usually cause itching [2] , along with pain. The bites can occur as small, red bumps [3] and particularly either in a group of three or four or in a straight line. Flea bites are increasingly common around the armpits, breasts, waist, groin, or in the folds of the knees as well as elbows.
Read also: Home remedies for mosquito bites
What are the symptoms of a flea bite?
Flea bites can offer some common symptoms. As being bit, they become very itchy, and the affected skin around the bites can be sore or painful. You might also experience hives [4] or the growth of a rash [5] [6] near the site of each bite. Additionally, excessive scratching can cause further harm to the skin and a secondary bacterial infection [7] [8] can have chance to start and develop. Hence, you should avoid scratching as much as possible and observe your bitten areas for several signs of an infection, consisting of white-topped blisters [9] or rashes.
Flea bites rarely lead to other health problems. The chance of catching another disease from the flea is fairly low. To prevent the spread of flea bites on both human and pets, it is necessary to take your pets to the vets right away before the fleas can launch further invasions.
To cure effectively and stop the presence of flea bites, the most important thing which needs to be done first is managing the infestation while applying some natural home remedies to treat quickly flea bites.
Following are top 10 handy –tips on how to get rid of flea bites on human. The flea bites treatments are shown to be simple but effective.
1. Aloe Vera
The most impressive function of aloe vera is to help soothe your skin. Due to its active blends including antiseptic [10] and anti – inflammatory [11] properties, aloe vera aids in reducing itching as well as swelling caused by flea bites. In addition, it helps speed up the process of healing wounds.
How to use:
- Grab a small part of an aloe vera leaf and then extract the gel
- Apply the gel to your affected skin areas and wait for 15 minutes
- Wash off with warm water
- Repeat this treatment 2 or 3 times on a daily basis
Read also: How to get rid of itchy skin
2. Witch Hazel
Witch hazel serves as an effective astringent, which is commonly used to treat flea bites. It aids in easing the itching and relieving the inflammation as well as redness resulted from the tannins [12] . Also, cats and dogs can be cured with witch hazel.
How to use:
- Dip a cotton ball in with hazel before rubbing it on the affected skin areas
- Leave it on for 10 minutes
- Repeat the treatment as necessary
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Fresh apple cider vinegar is another incredible help on how to get of flea bites on human. This home remedy for flea bites works wonder for both humans and pets in general.
Apple cider vinegar can provide a source of relief consisting of inflammation and itching on skins caused by flea bites.
How to use:
- Soak a cotton ball in fresh apple cider vinegar
- Apply it to the affected areas and leave it on for 5 minutes
- Remove the cotton ball
- Practice the treatment a few times daily until you get some better improvements
Note: If there remains an irritation [13] , you can add water to the apple cider vinegar before using it.
4. Cold Compresses
Using cold compresses can put a stop to the itching as well as pain owing to flea bites. Thanks to the cold temperature possessing the numbing effect on the nerve endings, both the itching sensation and swelling [14] are successfully reduced.
How to use:
- Use warm and soapy water to clean the side of the bite and around areas
- Place ice cubes in a washcloth
- Apply the ice pack to the affected areas and leave it on for no more than 3 minutes
- Reapply the pack after taking a break
- Repeat the action for a few times per day with each turn reaching for 15 minutes
5. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is among excellent helps on how to get rid of flea bites on human. Oatmeal, typically colloidal oatmeal, has been indicated to be beneficial for removing flea bites. In addition to flushing inflammatory toxin [15] [16] out the skin and soothing it, oatmeal helps curing inflammation as well as irritation caused by flea bites. Oatmeal is considered safe for both humans as well as pets.
How to use:
- Apply a thick paste created by an equal amount of ground oatmeal, yogurt and honey
- Rub the paste on the affected skins and wait for around 30 minutes
- Rinse off with water until you see positive outcomes
6. Lemon
Apart from the above – mentioned home remedies for flea bites, another help on how to get rid of flea bites on human is lemon. This natural treatment helps effectively remove fleas by controlling their spread on your pets and houses.
Read also: Home remedies for Rashes
Lemon helps get rid of rashes from flea bites and ease itching. Furthermore, it also helps eliminate both swelling and redness and stop the infection.
How to use:
- Soak a cotton ball in lemon juice before applying on the affected areas
- Keep it dry and wash off with water
- Practice the process a few times per day
7. Tea bags
Drinking teas and using tea bags provide a source of relief from flea bites. After finishing the tea time, you can rub the tea bag on the bitten skin areas to help ease the itching and accelerate the healing process. Black tea, meanwhile, possesses the properties of healing and has its own ability to stop the itching.
8. Basil and Lavender oil
The combination of basil with lavender oil generates a wonderful home remedy for treating the inflammation of flea bites and easing the itching. In fact, currently, cortisone creams as well as calamine lotion are commonly used for relieving itching caused by flea bites but some of the best ways to get rid of fleas coming from natural treatments have been gaining their popularity in treating flea bites on both adults and children.
9. Baking Soda
Baking soda is another great home treatment for curing flea bites on human. Because of acting as an acid neutralizer, baking soda can give an instant relief from itching. Also, it helps eliminate swelling, inflammation and infection.
How to use:
- Mix baking soda with water in the ratio 1: 1
- Rub the thin paste on the affected areas
- Wait for from 5 to 10 minutes and then wash off with cool water
- Repeat this treatment 2 times daily
Or,
- Pour baking soda into a cool water bathtub
- Soak yourself in it up to 10 minutes
- Dry yourself with a soft towel
- Repeat once daily
10. Epsom Salt
According to a study, Epsom salt is fairy useful for soothing a variety of skin discomforts consisting of flea bites. An Epsom salt bathtub aids in relieving the inflammation and irritation dervived from flea bites.
How to use:
- Add a cup of Epsom salt to a bathtub which is full of lukewarm water
- Soak yourself in it for 15 minutes
- Repeat this soothing bath once or twice per week
To help us reach out millions of outside readers, do not forget to LIKE and SHARE if you find this article helpful!
I am going to try the acv treatment for flea bites. Have a cat and a young granddaughter and don’t like using harsh chemicals.