What do fleas look like on a leg? - briefly
Fleas are tiny, dark‑brown to reddish insects about 1–3 mm long, with laterally flattened bodies that enable rapid movement through hair or clothing on a leg. They appear as brief, jumping specks that can cause itching and small red welts.
What do fleas look like on a leg? - in detail
Fleas that infest a human leg are tiny, laterally flattened insects measuring approximately 1.5–3 mm in length. Their bodies are dark brown to reddish‑black, with a hard exoskeleton that gives a glossy appearance. The head is small and concealed beneath the thorax, while the legs are long relative to body size, adapted for jumping; each leg ends in a tiny claw that can grasp hair shafts.
The abdomen expands after a blood meal, appearing engorged and pale compared to the unfed state. When feeding, fleas attach to the skin, often near the ankle or lower calf, where hair density provides a grip. Their mouthparts—piercing‑sucking stylets—penetrate the epidermis, causing a pinpoint puncture that can be difficult to see without magnification.
Typical visual indicators on the leg include:
- Small, moving specks that intermittently jump several centimeters.
- Tiny black dots, the flea’s excrement, which may appear as a dusting on clothing or skin.
- Red, itchy papules surrounding the bite site, sometimes with a central punctum.
- Slight swelling or a raised welt that intensifies after a few hours.
Behaviorally, fleas remain close to hair follicles, moving rapidly in a hopping motion. They are most active in warm, humid conditions and tend to congregate in areas where the skin is thin and hair is present, such as the outer calf, ankle, and around the shin. Their ability to leap up to 150 mm enables them to relocate quickly across the leg surface.
Identification without magnification relies on observing the characteristic jumping behavior, the size and shape of the insects, and the pattern of bite marks. Professional examination may involve a handheld microscope to confirm the laterally compressed body and the distinctive comb‑like rows of spines on the hind legs.