Flea Bite Dermatitis

Pet owners, who take proper care of their pet's skin, always are surprised when they notice flea bite dermatitis symptoms. The allergic reactions to flea bites can result in mild itchiness, severe hair loss and even respiratory problems. Most dogs and cats are allergic to flea bites. So, how to get rid of cat fleas and dog fleas is a big problem for the cat and dog owners. Before taking a look at flea bite treatment, let us first take a look at what is flea bite dermatitis.

What is Flea Bite Dermatitis

Most animals are allergic to flea saliva. Proteins (antigens) in the insect's saliva are responsible for triggering an immune system reaction, the release of immunoglobulin, which then causes itching. Due to the unquenchable appetite, fleas bite your dog or cat several hundred times a day which forces your pet to scratch, bite and clean to the point that hair falls out. These irritated spots or bald spots are known as allergic dermatitis. There is a great risk of these spots becoming infected, potentially causing further pet illnesses. Though, the pet owners can remove the adult fleas on dogs or cats, the eggs laid by the female flea remain there on the host animal. These eggs then fall to the ground, carpet, sofa, dog bed, owner's bed, or easy chair, where they hatch in two-to-five days. Humidity plays an important role in flea survival. Besides, fleas are able to leap 100 times their own height! Thus, the cycle begins anew.

Cat flea allergy is the main reason behind flea bite dermatitis in cats. Only one flea can also cause it, since the flea feeds on blood of the cat, like a mosquito. Without flea bite dermatitis, you can confirm a flea infestation if you notice dark specks on the coat. It is possible that your pet does not have allergy to flea bites. Since, summer and fall are the seasons which promote flea growth, the highest number of flea bite dermatitis cases are noticed during these seasons. A flea lives for less than two months, but a female flea usually lays over 2,000 eggs. Base of the tail of your pet, feet, stomach and inner thighs are the common sites for flea bites. Flea bite dermatitis is generally found in young animals rather than in puppies or kittens and older animals. A veterinarian can confirm the diagnosis of flea bite dermatitis by performing an intradermal allergy test, rather than a blood test.

Symptoms

• Severe itchiness
• Thickening of the skin
• Tiny red bumps on the skin
• Swelling
• Reddening of the skin in case of extreme sensitivity to flea bites.

Flea bites on humans are not uncommon and the symptoms are same as mentioned above. Whether you have a pet or not, there are chances of flea bites, if fleas are present in the surrounding environment. Let us take a look at flea bite dermatitis treatment.

Treatment

In humans also, itching is the main symptom of flea bites but scratching should be avoided because it increases the risk of infection. Flea bite dermatitis in humans can be treated with antihistamine drugs, while creams may be applied on skin. Severe flea allergy dermatitis can be cured with antibiotics. Applying ice or calamine lotion can be the first step of flea bites treatment for humans, as it helps control the itching sensation. Cleaning the house thoroughly is necessary to get rid of fleas.

Treating your pet for flea bite dermatitis is essential to avoid further problems. Washing the area with cold water and antiseptic soap is beneficial. Hot water may increase itching. Checking the possibility of tapeworms is also necessary. Pesticides and flea traps can be used for flea control. Many over the counter flea products are available in markets but most of them contain highly toxic insecticides. So, cat owners need to consult with their veterinarian for advice on safe cat flea treatment. The vet may prescribe hydrocortisone for dogs and cats, in order to help stop some of the itching and redness of the skin but the pet owner needs to monitor the pet for secondary infections, as the scratching tends to open up the sores further and leaves them open to other infections. If you are worried about how to get rid of fleas on dogs, you can use diatomaceous earth in the carpet, dog's bedding, yard and other areas of the house and you can buy a herbal flea collar for your dog.

Untreated flea bite dermatitis may lead to chronic scratching and infection which may result in hair loss and hot spots. Cleanliness is necessary to avoid flea bite dermatitis. Pet owners should regularly inspect their pets for fleas and comb out any belly dirt or other dark spots. A medicated bath, flea preventive, antihistamine or injections and prescription drugs can help control fleas and flea bite symptoms.