Can Cat Fleas Bite Humans?

Yes it is very possible for a human to get bitten and if a flea is going to bite you it is usually the cat flea (Ctenocephalides Felis) that does it, at least that is the case in the United States.

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Is it harmful to be bitten by cat fleas?

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A nip from one of these little parasites can be unpleasantly irritating and cause discomfort for a couple of days. Some people however are allergic to the saliva of the flea and their discomfort can be more severe. A bite from Ctenocephalides Felis can prove very itchy and scratching the itch can cause secondary infections. Children seem to be affected more acutely than adults.

More seriously, Murine Typhus is a possible outcome albeit extremely rarely. Again it is possible to contract tapeworm through inadvertently swallowing a cat flea. However, although this is a fairly common outcome of cats swallowing the parasite, it is rare for humans.

Ctenocephalides Felis is a tiny wingless creature. Being wingless it obviously can't fly, but it does have very powerful hind legs that enable it to leap up to about eighteen inches. Therefore the most usual place to be bitten by one of these creatures is the ankles and lower legs, although bites elsewhere on the body, such as the elbows, waist and armpits, are not uncommon.

It is quite possible for you to be bitten by a cat flea and not even feel it. What you almost certainly will notice is the itching coming from a tiny reddish, or pink, bump. Give in to the temptation to scratch that itchy bump and you can cause it to bleed and you risk infection.

What can you do?

If you have multiple cat flea bites, or are seriously affected or there is an infection, then get treatment from your doctor.

In milder cases. To reduce the chance of infection wash the area with an antiseptic soap.

Resist the temptation to scratch, use calamine lotion or an anesthetic cream to ease the itching.

An ice pack will help reduce any swelling.

Any human can be bitten by cat fleas, but if you share your home with a feline your chances are much greater. If you should suffer an attack from Ctenocephalides Felis it is a pretty good indication that your cat has fleas. If you don't want you and your pet to keep getting bites, then you need to do two things. Get your feline free of fleas and rid your cat's environment, your home, of the creatures too.

If you don't get rid of the parasites from your home then they will keep on infesting your cat and doubtless keep biting you.

Can Cat Fleas Bite Humans?

See - Cat Fleas and how to get rid of them. Also Cat Flea Allergy

Larry Chamberlain writes about all things cat for Best-Cat-Art.com

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