Curing Flea Bites

Fleas not only feed on your pets, they also feed on you. As they say, the best cure is prevention but if you continue to suffer from flea bites, despite your best efforts to rid your pets and home of these pesky parasites, follow the steps below.

Things You'll Need

• Ice pack
• Calamine lotion
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Insecticide

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Instructions

• 1

  Clean the affected area. If you find your self with a flea bite, wash the bite(s) with soap and water. Avoid using hot water as it may dry out your skin and increase the itch.

• 2

  Avoid scratching the affected area. Scratching a flea bite can lead to an open wound and a secondary infection; the sooner you stop scratching the bite, the sooner it will heal. If the itch is so persistent that you cannot avoid scratching, take an anti-histamine which can be purchased at your local pharmacy and is very effective in relieving an itch.

• 3

  Treat the flea bites. If the affected area is red and swollen, frequently cover it with an ice pack to help reduce the swelling. Then apply an anti-inflammatory cream such as calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream. These will help to reduce inflammation rapidly and can be found easily at any pharmacy or drug store.

• 4

  Visit your doctor if the bite's condition worsens after a few days of at home treatment. This is a sign that you may have an infection and your doctor may need to prescribe antibiotics.

• 5

  Rid your home of fleas. To avoid flea bites in the future, treat your entire home with an insecticide. If treatment does not work, you may need to hire a professional exterminator. It is also necessary to rid your pet(s) of fleas. Wash your pet with flea shampoo and purchase a flea collar to be worn around the neck and flea control tablets that are given orally.