First aid for a child with flea bites: medicines and folk remedies

Fleas are common parasites of warm-blooded animals and humans that live exclusively on blood. When choosing a host, fleas prefer animals, but they also attack people, of whom small children suffer the most. Knowing how to treat flea bites in children, parents will be ready to relieve symptoms in time and prevent complications. We will discuss how to treat flea bites on a child, what ointments to use against flea bites for children, as well as effective folk remedies.

What infections can fleas carry?

Parasites feed on the blood of healthy, sick and even dead people and animals. When a flea bites a person, the viruses enter the skin and are carried throughout the body through the blood.

The most dangerous diseases that bloodsucking animals can carry:

anthrax;
salmonellosis;
encephalitis;
typhus;
tapeworms;
fungal infections;
listeriosis;
tularemia;
plague.

The greatest danger is posed by fleas that live on rats. These rodents feed on spoiled foods and dead animals and carry dangerous diseases.

If rats appear in the basement of the house, you need to destroy the rodents and carry out a complete treatment of the room. Companies specializing in disinsection and deratization can best cope with this task.

Signs of flea bites

Flea bites on a child's head

You can distinguish flea bites from damage caused by other insects by the following signs:

Flea bites in children are located chaotically, 2–3 pieces each. Single bites practically never occur.
There are no anesthetic components in flea saliva. At the moment of the bite, the child experiences pain comparable to discomfort from an injection.

The immune system develops up to 14–16 years of age, so even one flea bite can cause an allergic reaction (rash, itching, swelling). It is important to ensure that the child does not scratch the injury site, as this increases the risk of infection.

What does a flea bite look like on a child?

It is difficult to avoid infection of an apartment or private house, especially if you have pets. Fleas can also get into a room through open windows, on the shoes of residents, or migrate from the basement. If adults often do not notice bites, then the child’s body reacts to them immediately, and insects prefer to bite the small inhabitants of the room.

A flea bite on a child looks quite harmless at first, especially if the skin is not too sensitive. This is a small red bump with a bloody spot in the very center - this is where the bite made by the parasite is located.

Often, a lump or even a large “bump” appears in the bite area, surrounded by extensive redness. If the bite damages the vessels passing near the surface, there is a risk of capillary rupture and the appearance of subcutaneous hemorrhage, which is most often not too large.

Common sites of injury

Insects do not choose the human body as their permanent residence. Here the temperature for their existence is low. They are comfortable living in carpets, upholstered furniture, grass and soil. In these places they lay eggs and hatch larvae. They only bite people. If there is an animal nearby, the insects fix their gaze on it.

Fleas, if necessary, can live for about a year and a half without food. But under normal conditions they eat repeatedly and greedily, receiving nutrition from the human body. The process of blood absorption lasts from a minute to several hours. Not all the blood is digested; a large amount is released with feces, which further increases irritation of the child’s skin.

As a rule, bite marks are found on the legs, arms, face and stomach, that is, on uncovered areas of the body. Individuals do not penetrate clothing and do not bite through it. Fleas feel great in a child’s head, leaving bite marks and spots. This can lead to such serious diseases as hepatitis, brucellosis, and anthrax.

Not all insects are infected, but if they see a similar problem on the baby’s head, they get rid of it urgently.

First, make sure that there are fleas in the child’s hair. You need to be able to distinguish them from lice. These insects require different approaches to treatment, and blood-sucking parasites can be recognized by the following signs:

Fleas on children's heads are in constant motion; they do not stay in the hair part, but jump from one place to another, while lice live and lay eggs in the hair.
The first ones jump on the head, and the second ones crawl.
They are saved from lice by using special hair products and combing out nits. You won’t be able to get rid of fleas on children’s heads this way. Complete disinfection of the home, clothes and shoes, and pets is necessary.

Fleas that pose a danger to humans

Among obligate parasites, the main feature of which is that their entire physiology is configured to feed exclusively on blood, fleas occupy an important place. Typically, these insects parasitize warm-blooded animals such as dogs, cats, birds, rats, pigs, horses, cows and others. But this does not mean that they do not threaten a person, it is just that he is rarely the main host, more often a temporary one, intended solely for maintaining life or transferring if there is no other object more suitable for this purpose nearby. Human body temperature, lower than that of animals, poor hair, good hygiene - all these conditions make people unsuitable for fleas.

It should be noted that there are exceptions to this rule, which include the so-called human flea, whose oral apparatus is optimally prepared for piercing the skin of people, and the characteristics of its life activity are closely related to human housing. Although some small animals such as dogs and cats can also become victims of this insect.

Of the more than 2,000 varieties of fleas, almost all can bite a person, but you should consider those that account for the bulk of the bites.

The bulk of bites occur:

Dog fleas

It is this type of flea that bites people more often than others. This situation can be explained by the large number of these parasites, which can live even on one pet. In addition, dogs are constantly on the street, where they come into contact with possible sources of infection.

Cat fleas

The prevalence of fleas of this species in the world is significant; they can feed on many species of mammals. They move to people for the purpose of feeding due to the fact that there are usually not many of their original owners, cats, in the house.

Rat fleas

In modern cities, they rarely parasitize humans, but for rural areas and the private sector, the problem of bites by this type of insect remains relevant. In addition, it is rat fleas that usually carry the most terrible diseases, so they pose the greatest infectious danger.

Rabbit fleas

This type of parasite rarely affects people, but compared to the remaining unlisted insects, the percentage of their bites is the highest.

It should be understood that all other types of fleas, which traditionally parasitize other animals or birds, can bite through human skin and begin to feed on his blood, so there are no fleas that are safe for people.

What is each of the listed types?

Let's start with the human flea, since for it people are the main source of food.

Externally, this type of parasite differs little from its relatives. They are distinguished by their larger size, which sometimes reaches 4 mm. Such a large individual can jump half a meter in length. The body of the parasite is flattened to the sides; antennae and piercing-sucking mouthparts are located on the small head. Due to the small size of the “mouth,” the flea is not always able to reach the blood vessel directly, so at the moment of the bite it is forced to immerse the entire head and front part of the body into the skin of the victim, making its way as deep as possible. At this moment, her body is almost vertical. The picture is completed by 6 legs, of which the hind ones are designed to make leaps tens of times greater than the size of the insect itself. The flea's jump is so rapid that the human eye is unable to discern it, so all that is visible is how the parasite disappears.

The structural features allow these insects not to be afraid of damage when a person catches them or scratches the bite sites; the dense upper shell protects the individual from being crushed.

The structure of their paws and antennae helps them stay on the host, although these insects do not live on it permanently. Adults spend most of their existence in secluded places located near permanent human habitation. When hungry, they lie in wait for people or animals passing by and jump on them, then, after piercing the skin, suck blood. Having had enough, the parasites try to leave the host’s body. Interestingly, this parasite can exist without food for about one and a half years.

The female lays several eggs at a time, but they do not attach to the hair or skin, but fall down, filling floor and wall cracks, carpet and furniture pile, and animal bedding. Here the larvae develop in organic debris. They feed on the excrement of adults or rotting organic matter. Their length does not exceed a few millimeters, the body is worm-shaped and white in color. After a few weeks, the larva turns into an adult insect, but only if there is a food source nearby, otherwise it can remain in the cocoon until the opportune moment.

Adult fleas live for several months, during which time they can lay about five thousand larvae.

Cat, rat and dog fleas are similar in physiological structure to each other and to the human species. The difference is related to color and size, but they are so insignificant that only a specialist can recognize them using equipment.

First aid

Tavegil

If your child is bitten by fleas, wash the wound with cold water and antibacterial soap. If you are allergic to bites, you should use any antihistamine. Suitable for treating children:

Diprazine.
Fenistil.
Diazolin.
Suprastin.
Tavegil.

Before giving medicine to a child, you need to read the instructions, which indicate at what age the drug can be taken.

Flea bites can be lubricated with the following products:

ethyl alcohol or vodka;
baking soda solution;
Sulfuric ointment;
calamine solution.

If a child scratches the skin, the wounds should be treated with brilliant green or iodine. If desired, you can use pharmaceutical ointments (Nezulin, Bepanten or Psilo-balm). To prevent further scratching, the treated areas are bandaged.

Treatment methods

Flea bites do not go away without leaving a trace. And it's not just pimples and scabies. Other symptoms may also occur, such as:

temperature rise to 38°;
intestinal disorder;
lymphadenitis;
nervousness;
rarely anaphylactic shock;
itching, pain;
allergic reactions.

The appearance of allergies is a possible phenomenon. Fleas really like the delicate skin of babies, which lends itself well to the pressure of insects, and supplies them with a valuable product - their blood.

In addition, fleas bite a child, and thereby spray an enzyme into his body that interferes with blood clotting. And if there are a lot of fleas, then there will be an increased amount of enzyme, which will provoke the appearance of a life-threatening rash. In childhood, the immune system is not developed enough to withstand such a problem.

In 50% of cases, the rash can cause angioedema, which in some cases has unpredictable consequences. Facial swelling is directly related to swelling of the laryngeal mucosa and the membranes of the brain. The danger lies in squeezing the blood vessels, which can lead to asphyxia. The appearance of neurological disorders, including epilepsy and its accompanying manifestations, is possible.

If fleas have bitten a child, what to do in this case. After all, mothers constantly hear the baby crying, see his arms and legs covered with a rash. This deprives them of sleep and peace.

First aid steps for parents:

calm down yourself and calm the baby;
wash the puncture sites with a soap solution, preferably an antibacterial one;
Treat the wounds with hydrogen peroxide and apply ice to relieve itching and pain. Instead of ice, a napkin moistened with cold water is suitable;
lubricate problem areas with ointment that relieves itching or an alcohol solution;
To prevent scratching, wounds can be bandaged.

A child is bitten by fleas at home, what to do after rescue measures. Bedding and clothing should be disinfected immediately.

If parents are used to using chemicals, but there are none in the house, they use folk remedies that are always at hand and work no worse than chemicals.

Folk remedies

When the actions of fleas do not cause complications, treatment consists of disinfecting the bite site, relieving swelling and itching.

How to treat flea bites in children at home:

Potato. Make juice or grate the vegetable to obtain a paste. Apply the workpiece to the wound.
Soda. Prepare a solution and use to relieve irritation and itching.
Herbal infusions (decoctions). The best herbs to relieve irritation are plantain, chamomile, and calendula. Use as a compress.
Aloe. Apply crushed sheet.
Lemon plus honey. Mix a 2:1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice with honey. Suitable for compresses.
Apple cider vinegar. Prepare a solution to relieve itching.

Having chosen what to anoint your child’s flea bites with, perform the procedure repeatedly, then you will be able to relieve your baby from itching and pain in 3-4 days.

Pharmacy drugs

There are many medicinal herbs that help cope with the consequences of flea bites. A good effect can be expected from decoctions of Chamomile, Calendula, Plantain and other plants, the infusions of which can be purchased at the pharmacy.

In addition to herbal preparations, the pharmaceutical industry offers what to apply to flea bites on a child:

medical alcohol;
brilliant green or iodine;
potassium permanganate solution.

The products are used to disinfect wounds and adjacent skin. Swelling can be removed with drugs such as Fenistil-gel, Boro Cream Plus, and Zvezdochka Balm.

flucinar;
Elidel;
sulfuric ointment;
ointments with retinol;
ointments containing steroids;
calamine lotion.

Each remedy has contraindications, so it is better not to take steps, but to take the advice of a doctor. If a child has fleas in his head, but the parents don’t know how to get rid of them, you need to try the methods described above. Otherwise, seek help from a clinic.

A doctor treats exacerbations after flea bites. Independent actions should not be taken to avoid further exacerbations. In such cases, the doctor prescribes antipyretics, sedatives and antihistamines. The dosage and method of administration depends on many reasons.

Flea bites in children are quite easy to recognize. While sucking blood, one individual makes several punctures in the skin. In addition, the location is also characteristic; usually these are the most tender areas of the legs, the top of the feet, and less often the arms and neck (if the child was bitten while sleeping). In addition, the bites of these parasites are quite painful and it is extremely difficult not to notice them.

So, what does a flea bite on a child look like? Depending on the body's reaction, this may be:

Several small red spots, with subcutaneous microhemorrhages in the center.
Red spots with slight swelling and thickening of the skin around.
In addition to the bite marks, a rash resembling hives is present on the child’s body.
Photo of flea bites on the legs of an infant Photo of flea bites on the legs of a small child

After piercing the skin, the flea injects a special enzyme into the human blood that increases its outflow, which is often perceived by the human body as an allergen. In children, an allergic reaction occurs more often, for the reason that their immune system is not yet fully formed.

What does an allergy look like in a baby? The following symptoms are usually observed:

body temperature 38-39°C;
enlarged lymph nodes;
rash or severe swelling of the skin;
diarrhea;
anxiety, irritability.

If you find one or more signs of an allergy to a flea bite, your child should be urgently shown to a specialist. This condition is dangerous for young children and can lead to anaphylactic shock.

If strange rashes are found on the child’s body, parents should find out whether there are fleas in the house. If you have pets, they must be carefully examined and, if necessary, treated. If there are no living creatures in the house, you should carry out one simple test. You need to spread white paper on the floor and observe its surface for 15 minutes. Jumping black dots will indicate that the child was bitten by this particular type of parasite.

How to treat flea bites in a child? A set of remedies for any insect bites should include antiseptics and antihistamines. They should be chosen based on the age and weight of the baby. In addition, it is important to avoid scratching the wound, which is sometimes very difficult to do. So, the procedure is as follows:

Treat the wound with any antiseptic or soap.
Give your child anti-allergy drops or tablets (antihistamines).
Eliminate itching using ointments (Boro-plus, Calamine lotion, Psilo-balm, Rescuer, Fenistil-gel and others) or traditional medicine.

Folk remedies

A folk remedy for fleas for a child can be prepared from a regular set of kitchen products. Here are a few recipes to help relieve itching:

Add one teaspoon each of baking soda and ammonia to a glass of warm boiled water. Stir thoroughly and treat the bite areas. You can do without alcohol.
Grate one medium potato and onion (raw). Mix the resulting pulp and apply it as a compress.
Add a tablespoon of honey to a glass of freshly squeezed lemon juice and then apply to the sore areas.
Dilute a tablespoon of natural apple cider vinegar in a glass of boiled water. Treat affected parts of the body.

Zelenka and 2 ear sticks

How to treat a flea bite on a child if he scratched the wound? Spread it with brilliant green, and after the skin dries - with sulfur ointment.

With proper treatment, the swelling around the bite site disappears on day 2, and after 4 days the skin is completely restored. However, curing a child is not enough. To prevent the situation from happening again, you should get rid of fleas in your home once and for all. All animals must be treated, and wearing a special collar is recommended to prevent parasites. Things and furniture in the house (especially carpets, sofas, bed linen, blankets) need to be thoroughly cleaned using disinfectants.

If parasites are not found at home, you need to find out whether the child was bitten by fleas in kindergarten. This happens when sanitary standards are not followed. To begin with, you can have a conversation with the teacher, interview other parents. If your suspicions are confirmed, you should take action by contacting the SES (Sanitary and Epidemiological Station).

How to cure fleas in a child without medications? You can help after a bloodsucker bite using folk remedies that relieve itching and inflammation.

What can you apply against fleas on a child:

Acid wipe. Dilute table/apple cider vinegar 2 times with boiled cool water. Wipe the affected areas and then leave as a compress for 10 minutes.
Prepare a water mixture from baking soda. Apply the paste onto the bite until the moisture is completely absorbed. Remove dry residue with sterile material.
Mix honey and lemon juice (proportion 1 to 2) and apply ointment against flea bites 4-5 times a day.
Make a mixture of mashed potato mass and onions and apply as a compress 5/7 times a day for 3-6 minutes.

These remedies are used if there are no allergic manifestations after flea bites.

A child’s skin is thinner and more vulnerable – so a flea bite is especially painful, it can be scratched and does not go away for a long time.
Children are prone to allergies because... their immune system is weaker than that of an adult.
The flea is a carrier of infections and eggs of most helminths (we talk in more detail about the danger of fleas to humans here).

Flea bites on a child's head

In adults, flea bites are less pronounced than in children. The child becomes restless and irritable, the affected area becomes very dense, and a blister with a red halo appears. Severe itching appears almost immediately. Insects easily bite through the delicate skin of children, so bite marks can be found on any part of the body, including on the scalp. The legs, arms and face are most often affected.

Vinegar. Mix the apple product with water in equal proportions. Treat the bite areas with a ready-made product (for convenience, you can use a cotton swab). Vinegar will soothe irritated skin, relieve itching and redness.
Aloe. Cut a plant leaf lengthwise and apply the inside to the affected areas of the body. Secure with adhesive tape or bandage.
Decoction of medicinal herbs. Mix plantain, coltsfoot, calendula, chamomile and green tea in equal proportions. Place 2-3 tbsp in a saucepan. l. collection, pour boiling water over low heat. After 15 minutes, remove the pan from the stove and strain the liquid. Wipe the skin with the prepared decoction several times a day.
Baking soda. Pour 1 tsp. baking soda with a glass of warm water, stir. Use the resulting solution to wipe the skin, lotions or compresses.

If there are a large number of bites, the skin should be treated with a solution of honey and lemon juice. To prepare the product you will need 1 spoon of beekeeping product and 2 glasses of freshly squeezed juice.

Folk remedies

The following remedies will relieve pain:

Vinegar. Mix the apple product with water in equal proportions. Treat the bite areas with a ready-made product (for convenience, you can use a cotton swab). Vinegar will soothe irritated skin, relieve itching and redness.
Aloe. Cut a plant leaf lengthwise and apply the inside to the affected areas of the body. Secure with adhesive tape or bandage.
Decoction of medicinal herbs. Mix plantain, coltsfoot, calendula, chamomile and green tea in equal proportions. Place 2-3 tbsp in a saucepan. l. collection, pour boiling water over low heat. After 15 minutes, remove the pan from the stove and strain the liquid. Wipe the skin with the prepared decoction several times a day.
Baking soda. Pour 1 tsp. baking soda with a glass of warm water, stir. Use the resulting solution to wipe the skin, lotions or compresses.

Where to begin?

Do not panic! Wash the bite site with any available antiseptic : it can be hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine, or even just water and laundry soap.

Important ! The water should be cold - hot and warm water only intensifies the itching.

Take steps to relieve the itching . You can apply a cotton pad with soda solution or an ice cube wrapped in a clean cloth to the affected area. A good folk remedy is to wipe the wound with apple cider vinegar diluted in water.
If a severe rash appears, give your child an antihistamine .

Possible complications

Inflammation of the lymph nodes in a child

Children's bodies are especially susceptible to flea bites, so the skin reaction can be unpredictable. The development of complications can be determined by the following symptoms:

increase in body temperature to +37…+38 °C;
inflammation of the lymph nodes;
problems with stool (diarrhea);
severe allergic reactions (up to anaphylactic shock).

The most common complication is an allergy to flea bites. It develops for the following reasons:

During a bite, the insect injects an enzyme that prevents blood clotting. The enzyme contains proteins that cause the development of allergic reactions.
The child’s immune system is in the formative stage and cannot withstand negative external factors.
Delicate skin is especially sensitive to insect bites.

If a child scratches the bites, wounds appear in their place, through which microbes enter the body. Parasites carry plague, typhoid, hepatitis and other dangerous diseases. There are known cases of fleas infecting children with helminths.

A child who has been attacked by bloodsuckers must be closely monitored. Even a slight increase in body temperature may indicate the presence of an infectious process in the body, so if any unusual symptoms appear, you should contact your pediatrician. After a thorough examination, the patient will be prescribed adequate therapy.

Symptoms of flea bites in children

Determining that a child is being bitten by fleas at home is not too difficult. To do this, just carefully examine the baby's skin. Main symptoms:

a tiny spot of blood on the skin (after a bite, a little blood comes out of the wound, which dries quickly;
a large lump or even a lump appears at the site of the bite; if the dermis is too sensitive, subcutaneous hemorrhage is possible;
the insect is not limited to one bite - several bloody spots appear on the sensitive area of the body at once, most often located chaotically;
the bitten area of the body becomes covered with a rash, indicating an allergic reaction.

Flea bites are very painful - insects do not have an anesthetic enzyme. The child may scratch the affected area, which can cause abrasions or even infection.

If an allergy starts

Allergies occur in a child due to the following reasons:

weak immunity;
predisposition to allergies;
infection through scratching the affected skin.

Attention! With severe burning and pain, a baby can often experience anaphylactic shock due to flea bites. An allergy resulting from insect bites is called pulicosis. The appearance of such a reaction signals to adults the need for medical attention.

Advice! At the first sign of an allergy, the child is given an anti-allergy tablet (Diazolin, Cetrin). It is necessary to wash the wound with soapy water and apply a special anti-inflammatory agent.

It is necessary to treat the skin with an antiseptic: brilliant green, iodine. This will protect the wound from suppuration and the spread of infection.

How dangerous are flea bites for a child?

It has been scientifically proven that these insects can carry various diseases, including hepatitis and anthrax. If fleas have bitten a child, you need to pay attention to other signs that may indicate an infection:

a sharp increase in temperature;
the appearance of nausea or vomiting;
general malaise;
intense diarrhea;
dizziness or even loss of consciousness;
spots of redness all over the body;
severe headaches.

In this case, you should immediately consult a doctor. Self-medication can result in dangerous consequences for the child’s health.

Infection with infectious diseases from fleas is uncommon, but these parasites remain dangerous for a child. The baby actively scratches the sore spot, injuring the skin. This threatens:

the appearance of scratches,
light bleeding
infection (most often this happens if the child is not accustomed to hygiene and tries to get rid of the itching with dirty hands).

A flea bite can also result in an allergy. If the irritation is not relieved, the reaction will spread throughout the skin, leading to widespread dermatitis - the entire body will be covered in rashes.

How to keep children safe?

Flea remedies

Preventive measures will help prevent flea bites in children. The main thing is disinfestation of residential premises. Before you start treating the apartment, you need to destroy parasites on pets. Shampoos, sprays, drops, collars and other means are suitable for this. You can find out which one is suitable for your particular pet from your veterinarian.

Fleas live not only on the body of the owner, but can also hide under baseboards, in carpets, floor crevices, upholstery and even in cribs. The treatment of the premises must be comprehensive. Anyone who is not confident in their own abilities should contact a specialized company. Exterminators use drugs that are poisonous to fleas, but safe for humans and pets. The result is the complete destruction of bloodsuckers and their larvae.

To avoid re-infection, you need to ensure that children and pets do not have contact with stray animals. Cats and dogs should walk in anti-flea collars impregnated with special compounds.

To protect your child from insect attacks outside the home, you can use special ointments or sprays. The content of the active component (DEET) in them should be no more than 5–10%. Children under 3 years of age are a contraindication to the use of repellents.

Flea removal

No means will protect against the bites of these insects unless measures are taken to completely remove fleas and prevent their reappearance. For this purpose, it is necessary to identify the source of infection. Pets will be first in line and need to be thoroughly examined for parasites. Fleas will reveal themselves not only by their personal presence, but also by particles of dark brown excrement on the animal’s skin.

To remove them, pets are washed with special shampoos or treated with insecticides in the form of sprays and gels. It is important to remember that parasites can be found not only on the animal’s body, but also infest pets’ favorite resting places - bedding, surfaces of floor carpets and sofa bedspreads, which must also be thoroughly cleaned.

The entire living space should be vacuumed, paying special attention to corners and crevices, and all surfaces should be treated with disinfectants. It is advisable to destroy the garbage bag from the vacuum cleaner immediately, since it contains fleas and eggs collected during cleaning. Given the duration of the transformation of the larva into an adult parasite, disinfection should be repeated after two weeks to destroy mature fleas. Each room must be treated in the most thorough manner, and a car is no exception if a pet was transported in it.

Protection from insect bites during disinfestation will be provided by pharmaceutical products designed to protect against blood-sucking insects.

To carry out disinfection, it is recommended to use insecticides such as solfak, chlorpyrimark, tetrix, and ultra effectively.

Before using them, remove any heat sources that may cause a fire if they come into contact with chemicals. Animals must be taken out of the premises and food must be hidden so that toxic components do not come into contact with them. After disinfection, the remaining drugs must be washed off, as they pose a danger to people and animals.

You cannot destroy parasites with chemicals that are not intended for this purpose. Incorrectly selected components can lead to mutation of fleas, which will greatly complicate their subsequent removal. In this case, you will have to seek help from specialists who are engaged in the destruction of parasites.

For preventive purposes, you can spread dry or fresh wormwood around the house, taken together with the inflorescences. It is recommended to place it on baseboards, under carpets and other areas where these insects are most likely to appear. This measure can also be effective against existing parasites. Tansy tincture has a similar effect, which is recommended to periodically spray the premises.