Can Fleas Live on Humans Can I Get Fleas From My Pet

If youve ever had flea bites, then youve probably wondered whether fleas can live on people. The good news is that, with very few exceptions, fleas dont live on peoples bodies. The bad news is that fleas can and will inhabit human dwellings, even in the absence of pets. Kinds of Fleas and Preferred Hosts There are many kinds of fleas, and each species has a preferred host: Human fleas (Pulex irritans) prefer to feed on humans or pigs, but these parasites are uncommon in homes in developed countries and are more often associated with wildlife. Farms sometimes become infested with human fleas, particularly in pigpens. Rat fleas  (Xenopsylla cheopis  and  Nosopsyllus fasciatus) are parasites of Norway rats and roof rats. They generally dont infest human dwellings unless rats are present. Rat fleas are medically important ectoparasites, however, because they transmit disease-causing organisms to humans. The Oriental rat flea is the main carrier of the organism that causes plague. Hen fleas  (Echidnophaga gallinacea) are parasites of poultry. These fleas, also known as sticktight fleas, attach to their hosts. When chickens are infested, fleas can accumulate visibly around their eyes, comb, and wattle. Although hen fleas prefer to feed on birds, they will feed on people who live in proximity to or care for infested poultry. Chigoe fleas  (Tunga penetrans and Tunga trimamillata) are an exception to the rule. These fleas not only live on people, but they also burrow into human skin. Worse still, they burrow into human feet, where they cause itching, swelling, skin ulcers, and loss of toenails, and they can impede walking. Chigoe fleas inhabit the tropics and subtropics and are mainly a concern in Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa. Cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) are almost always the fleas that invade our homes and feed on our pets. Despite their name, cat fleas are just as likely to feed on Fido as they are on Miss Kitty. Though they dont usually live on nonfurry hosts such as humans, they can and do bite people. Less often, dog fleas (Ctenocephalides canis) infest homes. Dog fleas arent picky parasites, either, and will gladly draw blood from your cat. Cat and Dog Fleas Prefer Furry Hosts Cat and dog fleas are built for hiding in fur. Their laterally flattened bodies help them navigate between pieces of fur or hair. Backward-facing spines on their bodies help them cling to Fidos fur when hes on the move. Our relatively hairless bodies dont make great hiding places for fleas, and its much harder for them to hang onto our bare skin. Still, people living with pets often find themselves faced with a flea infestation. As they multiply, these bloodthirsty fleas are competing for your pet and may bite you instead. Flea bites typically occur on the ankles and lower legs. And flea bites itch, especially if youre allergic to them. Can You Get Fleas Without Pets? Although fleas rarely take up residence on human skin, they can and will live happily in a human home with no pets present. If fleas find their way into your house and dont find a dog, cat, or bunny on which to feed, they will consider you the next best thing. Sources Merchant, Michael. Safer Flea Control. Texas AM factsheet.Koehler, P.G.; Pereira, R.M.; and Diclaro, J.W. II. Fleas. University of Florida factsheet.Goddard, Jerome. Physicians Guide to Arthropods of Medical Importance. 6th Edition, CRC Press.