What do fleas and their bites look like? - briefly
Fleas are tiny, dark, wingless insects about 1–3 mm long, laterally flattened, and equipped with powerful hind legs for jumping. Their bites manifest as small, red, itchy puncture spots that often appear in clusters or linear groups on the skin.
What do fleas and their bites look like? - in detail
Fleas are small, laterally compressed insects measuring 1–4 mm in length. Their bodies are dark brown to reddish, with a hard exoskeleton that gives a glossy sheen. Six legs are present; the hind pair are elongated and adapted for powerful jumps, allowing the flea to leap up to 150 times its body length. Antennae are short and concealed beneath the head, while the mouthparts form a piercing‑sucking stylet used to feed on blood. The abdomen expands after a blood meal, appearing slightly swollen and more translucent.
Bite marks appear as clusters of tiny red papules, usually 2–5 mm in diameter. Each puncture is caused by a single flea, and multiple fleas feeding simultaneously produce a grouped pattern often described as “breakfast‑bites.” The lesions are most common on the ankles, lower legs, and waistline—areas where clothing or fur provides easy access. Initial lesions are flat, erythematous spots that may become raised, itchy wheals within 24 hours. In sensitive individuals, a wheal can enlarge to 1 cm, develop a central punctum, and persist for several days. Secondary bacterial infection is possible if the skin is scratched, leading to crusting, pus formation, and increased pain.
Typical progression of a flea bite:
- Immediate: sharp, brief pricking sensation.
- 1–2 h: redness and mild swelling.
- 12–24 h: itching intensifies; papule may become raised.
- 48–72 h: resolution in most cases; lingering hyperpigmentation may remain.
Distinguishing features from other arthropod bites:
- Size: flea punctures are smaller than mosquito bites, which often exceed 5 mm.
- Distribution: flea lesions are grouped in linear or clustered lines, whereas bed‑bug bites tend to appear in a zig‑zag pattern.
- Reaction time: flea bites produce itching sooner than tick bites, which may be delayed for hours.
Effective management includes: