Dog Fleas and Humans
- Humans can be allergic to dog flea bites, causing symptoms ranging from itchy, red bumps to hay-fever-like conditions. When a flea-infested dog scratches, he sends dander, flea eggs and particles airborne, which can trigger allergies. Flea saliva also contains compounds called histamines which can induce allergic reactions in humans.
- Though tiny, fleas have caused many serious diseases in humans including the deadly bubonic plague. The bubonic plague is caused by the bacterium Pasteurella pestis, but is spread by various species of fleas. In particular, the appropriately dubbed "plague rat flea," otherwise known as the oriental rat flea, has been deemed the primary culprit of spreading this disease. The bubonic plague is so deadly because it can quickly degenerate into a widespread epidemic with high mortality rates, the most famous being the medieval European Black Death.
- Murine typhus, sometimes referred to simply as "flea-borne typhus," is caused by the microorganism Rickettsia and passed to humans by different species of lice and fleas. Once again, the oriental rat flea has been named as the main culprit when it comes to spreading this disease to humans.
While humans are not the preferred host of the oriental rat flea, people have been known to become infected with diseases when rat populations are particularly high, as humans simply provide an alternate host. People can infect themselves, as well, by accidentally scratching flea feces into the skin or by inadvertently ingesting a flea. - Fleas also play host to a myriad of tapeworms that can infect humans, including Dipylidium caninum and the Hymenolepis diminuta. Tapeworms are parasites that generally live in humans' gastrointestinal tracts.
- The best way to avoid diseases transmitted by dog fleas is to get rid of the fleas, of course. Treating your dog with flea treatments such as flea medication, flea shampoos, and flea preventative collars and herbs will help the situation. Vetinfo.com also recommends vacuuming or cleaning dog sleep and playareas, washing all bedding and rugs that your dog comes into contact with, taking antihistamines to relieve allergic symptoms and using anti-itching lotions. If you have a skin infection, see your doctor.
