Can humans get fleas?
Last reviewed by Dan Burn, RSPH Level 2
Short answer
Humans can be bitten by fleas, but cat and dog fleas prefer pets, and most of an infestation lives in carpets, bedding and furniture. They feed on people mostly when there are no animals around. The NHS says flea bites are red, raised and itchy, usually in groups below the knee. The human flea is now rare in the UK.
Do cat and dog fleas live on humans?
Not by choice. Cat and dog fleas prefer pets, but they will bite you. Watford Borough Council says they feed from humans usually when there are no animals around.
The British Pest Control Association says the cat flea is the most common flea in the UK and readily bites people. The human flea, which does prefer people, is now rare here.
Most of the problem isn’t on any animal at all. The BPCA says around 95% of flea eggs, larvae and pupae live in the environment: carpets, sofas, bedding and pet beds.
What do flea bites look like?
The NHS describes flea bites as large, red, raised groups of bites, usually below the knees. Watford Borough Council adds that they often sit around the ankles, where clothes touch the skin, and can stay itchy for weeks.
| Flea bites | Bed bug bites | |
|---|---|---|
| Where on the body | Mostly below the knee, ankles and lower legs | Skin exposed in bed: face, neck and arms |
| Pattern | Groups or clusters, sometimes in lines | Often in a line or grouped together |
| Look | Small red spots, sometimes with a puncture in the centre | Raised and itchy |
Bites alone can’t tell you for certain what bit you. If you think it might be bed bugs, see how to check for bed bugs.
When should you see a pharmacist or GP?
Most flea bites settle with simple care. The NHS advises washing the area with soap and water, using a cold pack for at least 20 minutes, and not scratching.
- See a pharmacist if a bite feels hot or looks red, is painful or swollen, or has pus or fluid. They can suggest antihistamines or a steroid cream, and can supply antibiotics for an infected bite.
- See a GP if a child under 1 has been bitten.
- Get an urgent GP appointment or call 111 if symptoms get worse or the bite is near the mouth, throat or eyes. Do the same if you have a high temperature with swollen glands.
- Call 999 if lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly swell, or breathing becomes difficult.
Why can an empty house have hungry fleas?
Because flea cocoons wait. The BPCA says a fully developed adult stays inside its cocoon until it detects the vibrations of a person or animal.
Watford Borough Council says this is why people are sometimes bitten when they move into a house that has been empty. Your footsteps and body heat set them off, and with no pet in the house, you are the only meal.
The BPCA also says homes without pets can get fleas, sometimes from an infestation that started before you moved in. That can happen after buying or renting a home where the last occupants had a cat or dog.
What should you do?
- Treat any pets with a product your vet recommends.
- Vacuum every day, especially carpets, sofas and along skirting boards. The vibration brings waiting fleas out of their cocoons.
- Empty the vacuum into an outside bin each time.
- Hot-wash bedding, including pet bedding.
- Treat your bites as above, and see a pharmacist if they look infected.
The full step-by-step plan is in how to get rid of fleas in the house.
When to call someone
Call if you keep getting bitten after a couple of weeks of vacuuming and pet treatment. Call straight away if you’ve moved into a house with fleas and have no pets of your own.
Our flea treatment covers the whole house from £149 including VAT. We call back within 30 minutes during opening hours, Monday to Saturday 8am to 6pm. We agree a fixed price on the phone before anyone visits. Visits are usually [same or next day].
Questions people ask
Why are my flea bites only on my ankles?
Fleas live at floor level in carpets and furniture, so they reach your feet and lower legs first. Watford Borough Council says bites usually appear where clothes are close to the body, such as the ankles.
How long do flea bites itch?
Watford Borough Council says flea bites can stay itchy for several weeks. Don't scratch, and see a pharmacist if a bite becomes hot, swollen or weeps.
Is the human flea still around in the UK?
Rarely. The BPCA says human fleas are now rare in the UK, though occasional infestations still happen. Most household flea problems in the UK involve the cat flea.
Should I put bicarbonate of soda on flea bites?
No. The NHS advises avoiding home remedies such as bicarbonate of soda. Wash the bite, use a cold compress and ask a pharmacist about antihistamines or a cream.
Should I wash my clothes to get rid of fleas?
Washing bedding and clothes on a hot wash helps, but most fleas are in carpets and furniture. Daily vacuuming and treating pets matter more.
Sources
- Fleas information sheet (Watford Borough Council)
- Fleas (British Pest Control Association)
- Insect bites and stings (NHS)
- Bedbugs (NHS)