Both pests are annoying and irritating, but flea bites can have more severe consequences than mosquito bites.
One needs to understand the difference between flea bites vs mosquito bites before treatment as the bites look eerily similar.
Flea bites are usually seen in clusters, whereas mosquito bites are scattered in one or two places only. If the house is infested with these pests then there are simple home remedies to treat them.
Flea Bites vs Mosquito Bites
Flea bites vs mosquito bites is a valid topic that is important to understand in order to differentiate the treatment. It is interesting to know that both pests thrive in tropical climates. Fleas jump while mosquitoes fly. To understand the difference between their bites, it is important to understand the difference between fleas and mosquitoes.
What Are Fleas? Where Are They Found?
Considered a common household pest, fleas are reddish-brown in color, oval-shaped, and have hard shells. They have a tiny head, six legs, and biting mouthparts, through which they draw blood. They usually are found in pets and can easily hide under furniture, carpets, and cracks in the floor/walls. Fleas are found mostly in pets but occasionally they also bite humans.
What Are Mosquitos? Where Are They Found?
Mosquitoes on the other hand are winged creatures with long slender bodies. They use their mouthparts also called proboscis to pierce the skin and feed on blood. They need water sources to breed and usually use stagnant water for the same. They are mainly found in areas with hot weather and rain. Some species of mosquitoes can be carriers of deadly viruses and diseases.
Now that we know the difference between these two pests, it is also important to differentiate between their bites so we can administer the correct treatment. In most cases, though fleabites and mosquito bites fade away on their own within a day or two. Only if they last for up to or more than a week, it could become a matter of concern.
Difference Between Flea Bites And Mosquito Bites
Flea bites And Their Symptoms
They appear in the form of swollen welts grouped together. Flea bites are smaller than mosquito bites and can get extremely itchy. If you are sensitive to fleas, you could experience additional symptoms.
The bites could turn into blisters and create wounds. If you are bitten by fleas repeatedly, it could also lead to chronic hives, also known as urticaria, which can be formed anywhere on the body. Fleas are found mostly in pets and they can easily hop onto humans as they are always in contact with their pets. Flea bites generally cause the below symptoms:
Common Symptoms of Flea Bites
- Discoloration in a ring shape forms around the bite
- Itching and irritation
More severe symptoms may include:
- An allergic reaction, resulting in swelling, shortness of breath, and rashes
- Skin infections
- Fever, headaches, body aches, and dizziness
- Nausea, weight loss, and weakness
Commonly Used Treatments
- Keep your hands off the bites. Scratching will only make things worse and the bites may turn into wounds leading to secondary skin infections
- Apply an ice pack to the area to help soothe the skin and relieve the itchiness
- The most commonly applied over-the-counter anti-itch cream is calamine lotion as it acts as an efficient antihistamine.
Mosquito Bites And Their Symptoms
Mosquito bites form an itchy red bump on your skin and can appear immediately or within hours of the bite. When mosquitoes bite, they also release saliva containing anticoagulants and proteins that cause the body’s immune system to release histamine as a defense mechanism.
This is what causes the itch and irritation. Mosquitoes easily breed in warmer temperatures and are likely to be found in your backyard, areas with stagnant pools of water, and in the woods. As mosquitoes fly, they are not very easy to get rid of completely. They usually feed between the hours of dusk and dawn. Mosquito bites can cause the below symptoms:
Common Symptoms of Mosquito Bites
- A puffy redding bump
- Small blisters
- A dark spot resembling bruises
- Swollen lymph nodes
- A large area of pain and swelling
- Fever
- Hives
- Diseases like malaria, dengue, and yellow fever, depending on the species of the mosquito
Commonly Used Treatments
- Wash the affected area with soap and water
- Apply an ice pack or pack of frozen veggies on the bites. This will help soothe the skin and relieve the irritation
- You can also use over-the-counter antihistamine creams to get fast relief from the itching
Closing Thoughts
More than differences, there are some similarities between the bites of fleas and mosquitoes and some of the treatments are also common. Having knowledge of both can help control the bites in an effective manner before they cause any secondary infections or result in diseases that may require extensive treatment.
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