If you own pets, you would at some point have faced the nuisance of fleas. In fact, you could face a flea infestation even if you don’t own a pet. While fleas feed on the blood of animals, in the absence of one, they resort to biting and feeding on people. A flea bite appears as a raised reddish bump often with a halo surrounding the center, and itches. If you’re wondering how to treat flea bites on humans, don’t worry, we have the right home remedies for you.
| A female flea can lay around 2,000 eggs in her lifetime. If you find a flea in your house, chances are, you have a pest problem and need to call pest control. |
While flea bites(1) are very rarely dangerous, the itch they cause is definitely frustrating. They are usually found on the floor so you may find flea bites on ankles and the feet. Some people are more sensitive to flea bites than others and need treatment to relieve the itch caused by a flea bite. Flea bites on toddlers can be especially bad. Here are 19 home remedies for flea bites:
Aloe Vera is popularly used as a natural antiseptic to treat skin ailments like rashes and burns. An Aloe Vera leaf’s gel has antifungal, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties that help relieve the itchiness. If you’re wondering how to get rid of flea bites, aloe vera is a great remedy.
All you need to do is cut off a part of the leaf, peel off the hard exterior and apply the gel directly onto the flea bite.
As much Aloe Vera gel as needed to cover the rash.
[Read: Natural Remedies to Treat Mosquito Bites]
Rubbing alcohol acts as an antiseptic and helps prevent infections from a flea bite, and is an effective flea bites treatment. It’s good to clean the affected area with rubbing alcohol.
Dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and apply it to the affected area.
As much as is needed to cover the rash.
Both the tea itself, and the tea bags can be used to reduce inflammation and provide relief from the itchiness caused by flea bites. If you’re pouring tea on the bite, remember to let it cool off first.
Steep a tea bag in water and place it in the refrigerator to cool. Once it cools, you can place the tea bag onto the bite to ease the itchiness.
Place the tea bag for about 10 minutes. You can repeat as necessary.
Apple cider vinegar contains antifungal compounds that can help prevent any infections from the bite, and its acidic nature also helps restore pH levels of the skin. You can also add a few drops of apple cider vinegar to y9our pets drinking water to help get rid of fleas!
Mix one part apple cider vinegar with 2 parts water. Dip a cotton swab into this mixture and apply to the affected area for 5-10 minutes then wash off.
One part apple cider vinegar mixed with 2 parts water. The quantity depends on the area of the rash. Apply to the affected area for 5-10 minutes.
[Read: Home Remedies to Heal Flea Bites]
The alkaline nature of baking soda helps neutralize the pH levels of the bite, thereby reducing the itchiness.
Mix a teaspoon of baking soda in water and stir until it completely dissolves. Apply the resulting paste on the flea bites. Let it sit for 10-20 minutes and then wash the area with lukewarm water.
One teaspoon of baking soda in enough water to form a paste. Use as much as needed to cover the entire area. Leave it on for 10-20 minutes.
Oats are a healthy breakfast but did you know, they can be topically applied to provide relief from itchiness caused by bugs like fleas? Oats contain anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and skin rejuvenating compounds that help lessen the itch of a flea bite.
Mix equal parts of oats in water and make a paste. Take some paste in a washcloth and place it on the bite for about 10 minutes.
You can also draw a bath with oats to get relief if the bites are too many. Add one cup of oats to a bathtub of warm water and soak yourself in it for 20 minutes.
Mix equal parts of oats and water to form a paste and apply through a washcloth for 10 minutes.
For a bath, add 1 cup of oats to a bathtub of warm water and soak yourself in it for 20 minutes.
[Read: Home Remedies for Bug Bites]
Lemons contain natural anti-inflammatory compounds that help reduce the swelling and itchiness caused by flea bites. Additionally, you can make a spray out of lemon and water and spray it on your body to prevent flea bites, and around the house to drive them away.
Cut a lemon into 4 wedges and use one to rub the juices directly onto the flea bites.
As much as is needed to cover the bites.
[Read: Essential oils for spider bites]
The sulfate and magnesium present in Epsom salt(2) have natural healing properties and are widely used on the skin for beautification. Epsom salt is antifungal in nature, which helps prevent infections, and it also has anti-inflammatory properties, providing relief from the itchiness caused by flea bites.
Use Epsom salts in a bath. Add two cups of Epsom salt to a bathtub of warm water and soak yourself in it for about 20 minutes. Rinse yourself with clean water and dry.
Two cups of Epsom salt to a bathtub of warm water, once or twice a day.
In India and across the world, neem is used for its medicinal properties. It is used topically for skin conditions and also consumed for its numerous nutritional benefits. Its anti-inflammatory properties help soothe bug bites and are a good remedy for flea bites.
Either use purchased neem oil or prepare a mixture by boiling neem leaves in a pan of water and letting it cool. Dip a cotton swab in the mixture and apply it to the flea bites.
As much as needed to cover the bites.
[Read: Natural Cures for Mosquito Bites]
The menthol in peppermint provides a soothing and cooling effect to provide relief from flea bites. It also has antibacterial properties that help ward of any infections at the site of flea bites.
Either apply peppermint oil directly to the affected area or crush peppermint leaves and apply the juices to the bite.
As much as needed to cover the bites.
Basil works wonders in soothing the itchiness caused by bug bites(3), especially flea bites. It has antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and anti-inflammatory compounds.
Wash basil leaves and mash with a little water. Apply the resulting paste to the affected area and leave it on for 15 minutes. You can also cover it with gauze and leave it on for longer.
As much as needed to cover the bites.
[Read: Home Remedies to Treat Fire Ant Bites]
Tea Tree Oils is one of the best essential oils for flea bites. The antimicrobial properties of tea tree oil help in preventing bacterial infections caused by bug bites. It acts as a natural antihistamine(4) providing relief from the swelling and itchiness caused by flea bites.
Essential oils should always be used along with a carrier oil. Dilute tea tree oil with coconut oil or jojoba oil and directly apply it to the bite, and let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
Equal parts of tea tree oil and coconut oil or jojoba oil applied to cover the bite left on for 10-15 minutes.
Witch hazel oil is a popular herbal remedy for skin conditions and care. It contains compounds like gallic acid and tannins which possess potent anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce the swelling and itchiness caused by flea bites.
Dab some witch hazel oil on a cotton ball and apply it to the affected area.
As much as needed to cover the bites.
[Read: Witch Hazel for Bug Bites]
Lavender is a popular essential oil used directly to treat bug bites. It has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe the itch and also has pain-relieving effects.
Lavender essential oil is milder than others and can be directly applied to dot the bites. You can dilute with a carrier oil like coconut oil if you have sensitive skin.
As much as needed to cover the bites.
Eucalyptus oil can be used to soothe flea bites and also prevent them, as the smell keeps bugs away.
Mix eucalyptus oil with a carrier oil like coconut oil and apply it to the flea bites.
As much as needed to cover the bites.
Chamomile oil has anti-inflammatory and painkilling characteristics that help with allergic reactions as well as with itching caused by flea bites.
Dilute chamomile oil with a carrier oil like jojoba oil, or dilute it with water. Add 2 – 3 drops of chamomile oil in the carrier oil and apply to the affected area.
As much as needed to cover the bites.
[Read: Cure Treat Chigger Bites Naturally]
Ice helps reduce the swelling caused by fleabites and also helps numb the area to provide relief from the itchiness.
Wrap ice in a cloth or use an ice pack. Place it on the affected area and leave it until it is comfortable.
Twice or thrice a day.
If you’ve ever wondered why do flea bites itch, it is because of the enzymes they secrete when they bite. The heat helps in destroying the protein in this enzyme and helps get rid of the itchiness.
Soak in a bathtub with warm water or take a warm water shower. Do not scratch the bites. If you’re soaking in a bathtub, you can add the essential oils mentioned in this article for further relief.
Once or twice a day.
If you own pets, there are high chances of your home getting infested by fleas. The first step in preventing fleas is treating your cat or dog by grooming them and providing proper care. Take them to the vet regularly for anti-flea treatments. If you do have a flea problem, however, there are some repellents you can make right at home. Use lemon or eucalyptus oil with water and make a spray and spray it in areas you think are infested with fleas. It will help get rid of them. Vacuuming your house regularly will also help get rid of fleas.
Fleas are not known to be carriers of dangerous diseases. Very rarely, however, they could spread diseases like the plague.
Fleas do not prefer human blood. Only in the absence of an animal will fleas bite humans.
One to two days on most individuals.