How Common Are Human Fleas?

Fleas are ectoparasites that live on animals, including humans. They cause irritation by biting humans and can also cause allergic reactions in some people. Fortunately, there are some measures that you can take to minimize the damage that fleas cause to your health.

First, you should know what fleas look like. Adult fleas are approximately 1.5 to 4 millimeters long and have flat, dark brown bodies. Their mouth parts are designed for sucking and piercing. They’re parasitic on both humans and other mammals and can survive for up to four months without a blood meal. Fleas bite the skin, causing itching, swelling, and raised skin. Flea bites usually occur in clusters or rows and can remain sore for weeks.

Fleas feed on blood from hosts, such as cats and dogs. Once they’ve fed, they lay eggs. The eggs are not sticky, so they fall off the host and hatch inside the carpet, blanket, or yard. Once they’re hatched, the adult fleas will come out of their cocoons and start biting humans.

Human fleas can also carry the deadly Yersinia pestis bacterium. This disease is rarely transmitted to humans in the United States, but it can occur in people from infected animals. Infected fleas transmit the disease to humans via bites and feces. The disease is usually curable with antibiotic treatment.