How Long Do Flea Bites Last?

Despite lacking wings, fleas can jump at least a foot, and wherever they land, they’ll get hungry and bite. When they do, small red welts appear almost immediately.

According to David Price ACE, Technical Director for Mosquito Joe—a Neighborly company—flea bites can also make their appearance as small, discolored bumps on the skin. Bites usually appear on the legs, feet, calves and ankles—remember, fleas can’t fly, so they aim low. Some bites will appear to have a ring or a “halo.”

“Evidence of small black spots on pet fur or carpet are also a good indication you have fleas,” says Fred Rozo, Board Certified Entomologist for Western Exterminator. The black spots are adult flea feces, which consists mostly of undigested blood from the host—that’s how fleas get their sustenance.

To see if you have fleas in your home, Price recommends spreading a linen sheet on the floor or carpet—if you see small black spots jump onto it, fleas have come for a visit.

“Flea bites don’t typically need treatment,” says Price, “Many over-the-counter anti-itch creams, ointments, and antihistamines can relieve itchy skin and discomfort.” Aloe vera and calamine lotion, in particular, are known to soothe the itchiness, as well as any ointment with hydrocortisone.

Price does note that, as with all insect bites, you should monitor symptoms. If you have a spike in fever, experience a headache or body aches or exhibit other signs of an allergic reaction, you should seek the help of a medical professional as soon as possible.

Flea bites generally last only a couple of days. Some people may not even realize they’ve been bitten, while others will feel very itchy, depending on their skin sensitivity and the severity of the flea infestation.

“Try not to scratch the bites and break the skin,” Price advises. “However, if you do accidentally break the skin, simply wash with soap and water, then cover with a bandage.” Fleas are known to carry diseases, so you need to treat any open wounds to prevent infection and speed the healing process. Blisters may occur if you scratch open flea bites.

The red or discolored marks will typically fade within a week, though if you have sensitive skin or other underlying conditions, they may take longer to disappear. If there is cause for concern, seek the care of a dermatologist.

If someone thinks they’ve been bitten by fleas or sees evidence of fleas in their home, they should check their pets first, according to Gilles Ventejol, who has more than 20 years of experience in the animal health industry and founder of AnimalPet.com.

“Fleas don’t like humans,” Ventejol says. When fleas transform from larvae to adult insects, they look for a host, but humans are not their first choice. “They prefer furry animals, especially dogs and cats. They prefer the shadow provided by abundant hair,” he says. They like it so much, in fact, that fleas will only leave the host when disturbed, such as when a human pets their dog or cat.

If your dog or cat is scratching excessively, fleas could be the cause. If you see fleas jumping around on your pet, then you could have an infestation on your hands and need to act quickly.

• Bathe pets using warm water and a flea shampoo.
• Vacuum your home thoroughly, especially in any area that your pets like to sleep or play. (Don’t forget about your car seats!) Then, throw the vacuum bag away in an outdoor garbage can so as not to keep any fleas in your home.
• Launder pet beds and blankets as well as your own bedding, if that’s where your pets sleep.
• Reduce indoor temperatures—fleas thrive in warmer environments.
• Use a flea treatment in your yard, or call a pest control expert to apply one for you. Lawn and garden experts suggest mowing grass short, as fleas and ticks alike prefer to settle in taller blades of grass.
• Call your veterinarian if the problem persists.

Rozo also notes that pet-friendly lodging options might be a source for fleas, so check your pet thoroughly when you check out from vacation.

You might be tempted to call a pest control professional at the first sign of fleas in your home, but Price says it all depends on the extent of the infestation.

“A low to moderate infestation could be resolved with aggressive vacuuming, treating your pet and some over-the-counter products,” Price says. “A more aggressive infestation will require a professional, who will utilize products to get ahead of the [fleas’] lifecycle.”

Of course, the best way to combat any insect infestation is to prevent one from happening in the first place. If you’ve seen fleas on your pets, it’s time to call a pest control company who can treat your yard to keep fleas far away. You can also secure your yard so that no wild animals who might be carrying fleas can enter.

“Sometimes DIY home remedies work well, but often the problem just gets worse,” Rozo told Forbes Home. “If your initial attempts to treat fleas are unsuccessful, you could quickly end up with a full-blown flea infestation.”