Not only harmful to animals! Are fleas dangerous for humans? What diseases do they suffer?

For some reason, it has always been thought that fleas threaten only animals, because they are their masters.

For man, the trouble was lice. In fact, everything is not so. Fleas are no less dangerous to humans.

Where there are pets, there are fleas. Another thing is how much their owners are aware of this and are actively fighting this evil.

Where are the parasites in the house?

Your favorite pets bring them. - cats and dogs. In the poultry yard in a private house, too, is restless - a chicken flea is no less dangerous than a dog or cat.

Cats often cling to themselves and bring a rat flea into the house, the one that at one time became the culprit of a terrible mora in medieval Europe from bubonic plague. True, their bloodsucking preferences have. A cat flea does not linger on a dog and vice versa. Chicken - also prefers an authentic owner.

And so, the pets living in the apartment or in the house, drag on themselves these parasites which quickly breed and infect not only animals. Their eggs and larvae fall into the cracks, on carpets and upholstered furniture, and especially a lot of them on dog or cat litter.

In urban homes, they can fall into apartments from the basement, the entrance or from neighbors who keep animals.

Since fleas are ready to feed on any blood, including human blood, they often attack humans. Especially goes to young children.

Highly it is important to start fighting parasites at the very beginningwhen it does not take a lot of money and the health problems of the household begin.

Is a flea dangerous to humans?

To begin, we define what kind of "beast." Flea refers to ectoparasites, that is, parasites living on the surface of their host’s body. They may be any animal, bird, as well as man. It is a blood-sucking insect that, when it reaches food, pierces the skin. With saliva in the puncture site and an infection is introduced, the carrier of which is a flea.

Important! In addition to infection, an enzyme is injected into the wound, which can be the strongest allergen, especially if the bites are frequent enough.

Infections

Infections, which are carried by a flea, are very serious. These are diseases such as:

  • Bubonic plague;
  • hepatitis;
  • encephalitis;
  • anthrax;
  • typhus.

The most common infection with endoparasites:

  • worms;
  • nematodes;
  • tapeworms;
  • salmonellosis;
  • fungal infections.
Attention! No less dangerous is listeriosis, which affects the human nervous and lymphatic systems.

It cannot be said that every insect is infected with these diseases, but the risk always remains. But each of them with its bite causes unpleasant, sometimes painful and far-reaching consequences.

Especially dangerous are rat fleas that a cat can bring on itself. Rats are very illegible in food, they can feed on waste, the remains of sick animals, etc.

Imagine what infections a rat flea can carry! It may be pseudotuberculosis, tularemia, myxomatosis, melioidosis and other no less dangerous diseases.

The effects of flea bites

Flea bites, especially multiple ones, can cause severe skin reactions, such as reddening of the skin, swelling of bite spots, severe itching. In some cases, developing flea dermatitis, which is treated very hard.

Bites can also cause a more violent reaction of the body in the form of swelling of the lymph nodes, an allergic reaction with increasing temperature.

With frequent encounters with fleas, with constant discomfort while waiting for their bites, people may experience phobias, neuralgia, and even nervous disorders.

How to fight?

The methods of struggle are simple - keep clean and hygiene rules. If the culprits of insects are your favorite animals, take action immediately. Cats and dogs also suffer from flea bites and also risk falling ill. Immediately free them from parasites until they have settled your home.

You can learn more about cat and dog fleas, as well as measures to combat them, on our website.

Keeping the house clean is also a way to fight fleas. Regularly clean the carpets, rugs and bedding of animals, do not let dust accumulate in the house.

If you are unable to cope with fleas on your own, use chemical control agents or contact specialized services.

In conclusion, we offer you a video about how to get rid of fleas in an apartment:

Watch the video: Mayo Clinic Minute: Tips to best remove ticks (April 2024).