Are Dog Fleas Dangerous to Humans?

Does your pet look restless and rub against the wall? It could be a sign of a dog flea infection. These little animals can also land and bite humans. These fleas can cause itching, to serious conditions such as allergic reactions and tapeworm infections.

Dog fleas are one of the many problems that can happen to your pet. These tiny wingless parasites can bite the skin of furry animals and suck blood to survive. The problem is, these bites can cause itching and discomfort in pets.

So, can dog fleas also move and live in the human body? If so, are there any dangers? Ok, I will explain the question in this article. I hope this article is very useful for those of you who have dogs.

Dog fleas can bite, but don't live on humans

Keep in mind, dog fleas can't live on humans, but they can still bite. Ticks are usually host-specific and are not contagious to other species although they can still bite. Fleas are attracted to some animals because of their fur. They can hide in between animal hairs, eat, and breed. Dog fleas do not live on humans because there is no substantial hair like animals, and it is very difficult to breed without adequate coat protection.

Dog fleas can bite humans, generally on the feet and legs. Usually, the initial bite does not cause lesions on the skin, but once a person is exposed to the tick for a longer period, they develop a hypersensitivity reaction. The visual results of a tick bite can last several days but can get worse if the bite is more sensitive or if the area is infected.

Dangers to Watch Out for

In addition to itching in humans, dog flea bites can cause many serious diseases that can be fatal to animals if the infection is severe enough to affect overall health. Ticks can carry several different diseases that can be transmitted during a bite, the most common of which include:

1. Allergic Reaction

   Dog flea bites can cause allergic reactions on human skin because the body reacts strongly to flea saliva. An allergic reaction to a bite can cause flea allergic dermatitis. This can result in:

   • Irritation, red skin.

   • Incredible itching.

   • Infection.

   Allergic reactions to flea bites can also occur in animals. An allergic reaction can cause the animal to scratch the area of ​​the flea bite in such a way that their skin becomes red or even sheds the fur.

2. The Risk of Tapeworms

   Dog fleas can carry tapeworms. The species that usually carry tapeworms are ticks of the Trichodectes Canis species. If you ingest fleas, there is a risk of getting tapeworms carried by fleas. Children may be more likely to accidentally ingest lice.

   
   Tapeworms may not be harmful to your overall health or your pet's health, but if you see something white and look like pumpkin seeds in your stool or stool, it may indicate a tapeworm infection. Talk to a doctor on the Halodoc app if you suspect this.

That's the discussion about the dangers of dog fleas for humans. It is known that these small animals can bite humans, but they can only live on the bodies of furry animals. Be sure to monitor pets regularly, and keep the house clean to reduce the chance of fleas. Thank you for reading, don't forget to subscribe, like, and comment. If you find this article useful, please share it on your social media accounts. thank you

Reference:

Trudog. Accessed in 2021. Are Dog Fleas Harmful To Humans?

Healthline. Retrieved 2021. Why Fleas Prefers Our Pets Over Us.

American Kennel Club. Dog Lice: What They Are, How to Avoid Them.

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