How to Get Rid Of Flea Bites Quickly and Naturally
If you’ve ever had a flea bite, you know that these small red bumps on your skin can be very itchy and you need to get rid of them as quickly as possible. Flea bites on humans cause an intense itch that makes you scratch your skin, which then seems to make the severe itchiness of the bite even worse. Although fleas don’t live on humans, they can jump onto you and bite you when dogs, cats or other pets bring them into the home.
Fleas can cause a lot of discomfort for your pets as well. Flea bites on dogs and cats cause them to scratch a lot. In fact, if you have noticed your pets scratching, it could be one of the first signs that they have fleas.
Fleas tend to bite humans around the ankles and wrists as these areas are usually in more contact with pets. However, you may also get flea bites on other warm, soft areas of your body like your waist, armpits, and the backs of your elbows and knees. Flea bites look like small red spots which can be in clusters of 3-4 bites. Your body’s immune reaction to the flea bite causes your skin to swell and become red and itchy.
Many home remedies can help you get rid of flea bites quickly and naturally. Natural remedies like aloe vera, coconut oil, and baking soda can help to soothe itchy skin and can be used for both human flea bites and flea bites on dogs and cats. Essential oils can be used as a natural flea bite treatment for humans, however, they shouldn’t be used on pets. They help to reduce itchiness and stop infections in human flea bites.
Let’s look at the many natural home remedies for flea bites. These remedies will give you quick relief from the discomfort and irritation that flea bites cause.
Natural Home Remedies for Flea Bites
One of the first courses of action if you have flea bites is to make sure and get rid of any fleas from your pets and your home. However, you still need to treat the red itchy bumps on yourself and your pets. Here are some of the best natural flea bite treatments for humans and pets.
Apple cider vinegar (ACV)
Raw unprocessed apple cider vinegar can give you quick relief from the itchiness caused by a flea bite. The acetic acid content in ACV helps to balance the pH levels on your skin to reduce itching and inflammation.
When discussing how to reduce itchy skin (pruritus), the journal Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy said that topical applications that have a low pH can help to reduce itching.1 The effect of acidic applications like apple cider vinegar can help to protect the skin’s barrier function and maintain a normal acidic pH skin level.
To use the acidic properties of apple cider vinegar to stop itching caused by flea bites, you should dilute equal parts of raw ACV and water. Using a cotton ball, apply the diluted ACV home remedy to the itchy flea bites for quick and fast relief from the discomfort and irritation. Use apple cider vinegar any time when you need to get rid of a flea bite itch on yourself or your pet.
Apple cider vinegar has many other benefits for your skin. For example, you can use ACV as a face wash to help keep your complexion healthy and free of pimples. Or you can rinse your hair with apple cider vinegar to help get rid of dandruff.
Lemon juice
Lemon juice can also be used as a natural flea bite treatment for humans and pets. The acidic effect of lemon juice on itchy skin is similar to apple cider vinegar. It helps to normalize the high pH level of red, itchy skin. The citric acid helps to quickly treat flea bites and relieves the itching associated with them.
To use lemon juice as a natural flea bite remedy, apply lemon juice directly to the itchy red spots for instant itch relief.
Baking soda
To get rid of itchy flea bites on humans or pets, you can use baking soda for its anti-inflammatory properties. Baking soda is a natural and cheap remedy for many itchy skin complaints, as well as acne and pimples.
Dr. David Derrer on WebMD recommends using a baking soda paste to relieve redness and itchiness of flea bites or insect bites.2 Baking soda also has antimicrobial properties which can help prevent secondary infections occurring if you scratch and damage the skin around the flea bite.3
It is very easy to make this effective home remedy to speed up the healing process and soothe the irritation caused by flea bites. Make a thick paste using some baking soda and a small amount of water. Apply the paste to the inflamed itchy spots and leave on for 15 minutes before rinsing off with warm water. Use the baking soda flea treatment 2-3 times a day until the itchiness has gone.
Baking soda is also safe enough to be used as a natural flea bite remedy for dogs and cats. In fact, if your pet has many flea bites, you can help your dog get relief from flea bite itching by adding baking soda to his/her bath. You should sprinkle baking soda into your dog’s bath water then wash and dry as normal. This will help to reduce the itchiness on your dog’s skin and stop him/her scratching so much.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is commonly used to alleviate a number of skin complaints, and you can use oatmeal as a natural flea bite remedy. It contains anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that help to reduce redness, calm inflamed skin, and prevent skin infections.
According to the Journal of Drugs and Dermatology, oatmeal’s moisturizing properties also help to relieve skin itching and irritation. It does this by balancing the skin’s pH levels and locking in moisture. The study concluded that oatmeal is an effective natural remedy to provide relief from various itchy skin conditions and insect bites.4
To make a natural home remedy for flea bites using oatmeal, you should grind a cup of oatmeal into a fine powder. Make a soothing paste by combining equal amounts of oatmeal and plain yogurt to make a thick paste. You can also add a little honey for its antibacterial properties. Apply the oatmeal remedy to the areas where fleas have bitten you or your pets and leave for 20-30 minutes before rinsing off with warm water. Repeat the process 2-3 times a day until all itchiness from the flea bites have gone.
Doctors at the Mayo Clinic recommend using an oatmeal bath to relieve itching from large areas of the body.5 This is an effective natural way to treat flea bites on pets. To make an oatmeal bath to treat flea bites on dogs, prepare a warm bath and sprinkle one cup of ground oatmeal onto the bath water. Mix well. Use the water and oatmeal mix to wash your dog’s fur. The cleansing properties of oatmeal mean that you don’t have to add any soap to the water. Bathe your dog regularly in the oatmeal mixture to ease the discomfort caused by flea bites.
Honey
Among the many medicinal properties of raw, natural honey is its ability to alleviate itching and help repair damaged skin. You can apply raw honey directly to the itchy flea bites for quick relief from the urge to scratch.
An interesting study into the soothing effects of honey on irritated skin showed that it can help to reduce the symptoms of itchy skin. Honey was applied to the scalp of people with chronic seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff (both of which are associated with itchiness). The result was a marked reduction in itching and it helped the skin to heal quicker.6 The study also mentioned that honey has antibacterial and antioxidant properties that can prevent skin infections from developing.
Manuka is the best type of honey for flea bites because of its therapeutic effect on itchy skin. You just need to apply a little honey to the affected area to soothe the itch and reduce inflammation. Apply as needed throughout the day every time you get the urge to scratch the itchy skin.
Aloe vera
Pure aloe vera gel can help flea bites heal quicker. Aloe vera is a great all-around natural remedy to keep skin moisturized and healthy. The reason that aloe vera gel is so great healing skin conditions is that it contains anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties which can soothe inflamed skin.
Aloe vera gel has been shown to be more effective at treating skin conditions than many pharmaceutical products. For example, the Society for Dermopharmacy published a study showing that aloe vera gel was more effective than 1% hydrocortisone cream.7 Hydrocortisone creams are usually recommended by doctors to treat skin inflammation and reduce the symptoms of insect bites.
Apply pure aloe vera gel directly to the itchy flea bites to get rid of the irritating itchiness and reduce swelling around the bite. Use the natural aloe vera remedy for flea bites 2-3 times a day until the discomfort has gone for good and you no longer have itchy red flea bites.
Witch hazel
Witch hazel is another quick and natural home remedy to treat flea bites. Witch hazel is a natural astringent which reduces itchiness and swelling because it helps pores to contract and become smaller. Witch hazel is gentle enough to be used as a natural flea bite treatment for both humans and pets.
Doctors at WebMD say that witch hazel is often applied directly to the skin to reduce swelling, inflammation, and itchiness caused by insect bites. The anti-itch and anti-swelling effect occur because of the tannins in witch hazel. Witch hazel is also antibacterial and can help to treat and prevent secondary skin infections developing in the flea bites.8
Soothe your itchy skin by soaking a cotton ball in pure witch hazel and dabbing it on the flea bites around your ankles, wrists, or other areas of your body.
You can also use witch hazel to soothe the irritation from flea bites on your dog or cat. This will help them stop scratching and also clear any infection that may be on the skin.
Cool tea bag
Tea also contains tannins and the astringent properties of tea can help to soothe away the irritation caused by flea bites.9 All you have to do is place a cool tea bag directly on the areas of your body that have been bitten by fleas.
The soothing effect of the tannins in tea and the cold compress from the tea bag will help to quickly relieve any itchiness that you have because of flea bites. There are many other uses for used tea bags which you can read in my previous article.
Ice pack
One of the simplest ways to get rid of an irritating itch on your skin is to apply an ice compress. Ice helps to numb the nerve endings that become irritated after a flea bite.
Dr. Charles P. Davis on eMedicinehealth.com recommends using intermittent cold packs or ice to reduce swelling and redness around the flea bite.10
To help stop itching and reduce swelling caused by flea bites, put a few pieces of ice in a thin towel. Apply the cold compress to the itchy area for 2-3 minutes at a time. Do this for 10-15 minutes a few times a day to treat the itchy flea bites.
Remember never to place ice directly onto skin, but always cover it with a cloth.
Essential Oils to Get Rid of Flea Bites on Humans
Many essential oils also contain anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that can help to quickly and naturally treat flea bites. These essential oils can help you get quick relief from itchy skin and also reduce the risk of flea bites becoming infected.
Because essential oils are very powerful, they should be diluted in a carrier oil. You only need 2-3 drops of essential oil for every tablespoon of carrier oil. One of the best carrier oils is pure virgin coconut oil because of its anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to relieve pain.11
One word of warning: essential oils shouldn’t be used to treat flea bites in pets.
Tea tree oil
You can use tea tree oil to quickly relieve the itch due to flea bites. Studies have shown that tea tree oil can not only reduce the itchiness of the skin, but it can help kill off many strains of bacteria that cause skin infections.12
Tea tree oil is one of the few essential oils that you can apply directly to very small areas of your skin (such as spot treatment). You can put a few drops of tea tree oil on the end of a cotton swab and use it as a natural flea bite remedy. You should dab the end of the cotton bud on the itchy spot to get fast relief from intensely itchy flea bites. For larger skin area or if you have sensitive skin, dilute with a carrier oil.
Applying tea tree oil is also good for treating spider bites and bed bug bites.
Lavender essential oil
Another essential oil that can help to treat itchy flea bites on humans is lavender oil. The anti-inflammatory activity of lavender oil and its pleasant scent make it an excellent flea bite treatment.
A study published in 2015 reported that as well as reducing inflammation, lavender is also an effective topical pain relief treatment.13 Lavender oil has shown to be effective against Staphylococcus aureus strain of bacteria (this strain often causes skin infections).14
Just like tea tree oil, lavender oil can be used as a spot treatment for flea bites by applying a drop or two directly onto the itchy spot for instant relief from the discomfort. You can also add 2-3 drops of lavender oil to a tablespoon of coconut oil and apply to areas where you have many flea bites to relieve the itchiness and speed up the healing process.
Calendula oil
Calendula essential oil (or, pot marigold) is often used to treat many itchy skin conditions and it is an effective natural remedy for healing flea bites. The University of Maryland reports that calendula is an effective treatment for itching, stinging, or burning sensation on the skin and can help to reduce swelling and redness.15
The easiest way to use calendula to help speed up the healing process of flea bites is to buy a natural cream containing calendula oil. Apply the healing ointment directly to the affected area to get relief from the severe itching that flea bites cause.
Chamomile oil
Chamomile oil is a natural soothing essential oil that can give you relief from irritation caused by flea bites.
Research into the anti-itch effect of chamomile found it has properties similar to antihistamine and can help to reduce redness, swelling, and itching on the skin.16
Make a healing cream for curing flea bites by adding 2-3 drops of chamomile oil to a tablespoon of coconut oil. Apply the chamomile oil remedy to your flea bites 2-3 times a day to soothe the itchiness. Continue applying the ointment until the small red itchy flea bites have disappeared completely.
Or you could apply a cool chamomile compress to the affected area. Make chamomile tea by placing a teabag in a boiling cup of water. Cover and leave until the tea cools. Put the tea bag directly on the itchy spots to relieve the discomfort.
Read my other related articles:
1. How to Naturally Get Rid of Fleas From Your Home, Garden and Pets
2. How to Use Diatomaceous Earth (DE) to Kill Fleas
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