During a visual check, look for red bumps on your cat’s skin. There may also be patches of fur missing from excessive scratching or licking. If your cat has an allergic reaction to flea saliva, you may even notice scabs on or around the flea bites.
What causes a flea bite?
Male and female fleas bite. They feed on your blood as part of their diet. Female fleas lay eggs after feeding on blood. Some flea species feed their young on the blood-filled excrement of adult fleas.
Do fleas bite humans?
Fleas bite humans. But the flea species that typically annoy cats and dogs don’t live on people. Dogs and cats have much more hair than humans. Animals with lots of fur are preferred by fleas because it makes hiding easier.
How do I stop flea bites from itching?
Don’t scratch your flea bites. You risk breaking your skin and exposing yourself to infection. If you inadvertently break your skin, bandage flea bites and wash the affected area with soap and water to keep it clean. If you believe you have been bitten by an infected flea, consult your doctor.
Flea bites only last a few days. Nonetheless, there are plenty of over-the-counter medications and DIY treatments that can reduce itching caused by flea bites.
Home remedies are safe for most people. Nevertheless, it’s a good idea to consult your doctor before attempting any of the following remedies to treat flea bites. There’s a chance your skin could experience an allergic reaction.
- Antihistamines: Antihistamines are a popular flea bite treatment. Histamine is a chemical created by your immune system. Your body releases histamine after it encounters an allergen. Histamine is what makes flea bites itch. Antihistamines come in pill form that you can take or apply topically as a cream or ointment to your flea bite.
- Hydrocortisone: Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid anesthetic combination medication. It relieves itching and swelling. It can be used as an ointment or cream directly on the flea bite.
- Ice: An area’s blood flow can be slowed down by ice. It reduces inflammation, pain, swelling and itchiness. For at least ten minutes, apply an ice pack wrapped in a thin towel over the affected area to relieve flea bites.
- Aloe vera: Aloe vera is a succulent plant. Salicylic acid, which is present in the gel of its leaves, reduces pain and itching. You can apply aloe gel directly to your flea bite.
- Chamomile tea: Chamomile tea contains dried chamomile flowers. The natural compounds flavonoids and terpenoids, which have antihistamine and antioxidant qualities, are present in the dried chamomile flowers. Add a chamomile tea bag to some water to treat a flea bite. At least 20 minutes should pass for the tea bag to steep and the water to turn a rich gold-brown color. After taking the tea bag out of the water, squeeze it to get rid of any extra water. After at least ten minutes of pressing the tea bag against your flea bites, wipe the area with a fresh towel. To reuse the wet tea bag on your bites throughout the day, place it in a container and store it in the refrigerator.
- Honey: Honey has many properties that relieve itching and pain. An enzyme called catalase is found in honey, and it helps reduce mild inflammation. Apply enough raw honey to your flea bites so that they are barely visible. You can additionally cover your honey-covered flea bites with a bandage to prevent unintentionally making a sticky mess.
- Oatmeal: Oatmeal contains properties that can soothe itchy flea bites. Using a food processor or blender to grind oatmeal into a fine powder (colloidal oatmeal) is the most effective way to apply oatmeal to flea bites. Warm water should be added to the oatmeal powder to create a thick, sticky paste. Use enough of the oatmeal paste on your flea bites to completely cover them. Use a fresh towel to remove the paste after at least ten minutes.
Care at Cleveland Clinic