Little winged parasitic insects are called fleas. These annoying insects feed on human and animal blood. Fleas mostly attack pet animals at home. Kids are most likely to get bitten by fleas as they play with pets. Flea bites can be very itchy. The spots also become red and swollen. Some kids can also be allergic to flea bites that cause hives to breakout in the skin.
Flea bites can be effectively treated with home remedies. Applying cool used tea bags on the bites is very effective. It reduces the inflammation. Also using aloe vera gel, witch hazel and baking soda also work wonders on flea bites. Essential oil like lavender and tea tree oil also effectively works. Keep reading to know more about what are the home remedies for getting rid of flea bites on your kid’s skin.
The effective home remedies are given below:
11 Effective Home Remedies for Flea Bites
Aloe vera
Aloe vera gel is very soothing for the skin. The Society for Dermopharmacy established in a study that aloe vera gel is more effective than chemical creams to treat skin problems. The gel extracted from aloe vera leaves has soothing properties. Aloe vera always soothes skin irritations of every kind. Therefore aloe vera gel is one of the best home remedy for treating flea bites. If your kid has flea bites his skin might become itchy and become swollen. Aloe vera will soothe the itching and reduce the swelling also.
Ice packs
Ice is a great cure for skin irritation and pain of any kind. The coldness of ice can soothe the irritation from the rashes. Flea bites can be very itchy and annoying. Ice can help your kid to get relief from the constant itching. It can also numb the entire area. This will also help your child to not feel troubled by the irritation from the bites. Wrap ice cubes on a towel and apply on the bites. You can also apply ice packs. But do not directly apply ice on the skin.
Used tea bags
Used tea bags work like magic on flea bites. This is a popular home remedy for curing swollen flea bites. The used tea bag applied directly on the bites can actually reduce the swelling. It is supposed to relieve the inflammation and tenderness of the skin. It is best to apply cooled tea bags. If your kid has flea bites, do not throw away the tea bags after drinking tea. Refrigerate those bags for some time and then apply those throughout the day. Make sure the tea bag is cool every time you put it on your kid’s skin.
Tea tree oil
One essential oil that is extremely effective as a cure of flea bite is tea tree oil. This essential oil has antiseptic properties. Tea tree oil is popularly used to heal skin wounds naturally. It can heal the flea bites quite successfully. This wonderful essential oil can also relieve the itching and swelling from the bites. Apply a few drops of tea tree oil on the flea bites and massage gently.
Lavender oil
Lavender oil is also very effective in treating skin problems. This oil has anti-inflammatory properties. This oil can therefore reduce the inflammation of the skin because of the bites. Lavender oil is also very soothing for the skin. It can give relief to your kid by controlling the constant itching. Applying a few drops directly on the bites can provide instant relief.
Lemon juice
Lemon juice is another excellent natural treatment to cure flea bites on kids. The acidity of the lemon juice actually normalizes the pH level of the red, itchy skin. This helps in relieving the itching and the swelling. Flea bit increases the Ph level of the skin as the skin turns red, itchy and swollen. The citrus juice naturally cures the bite and stops the itching also. You can directly apply a few drops of lemon juice on the irritated skin.
Baking soda
Dr. David Derrer, medical reviewer for WebMD swears by baking soda as one of the best home remedy for flea bites. It can be safely used on kids. Baking soda has anti microbial properties. This not only heals the flea bites but also prevents further complications from scratching. Scratching the affected areas can cause further infections on the skin. Baking soda can effectively prevent that.
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is one natural remedy that can give your child relief from the itchiness of flea bites. It is highly acidic in nature. Like lemon juice, this vinegar can also normalize the pH level of the skin. This reduces the inflammation as well as the itching. It is important to dilute apple cider vinegar with water. You can then apply the diluted mixture with a clean cotton ball.
Honey
Honey has several medicinal properties. It is a natural healer of skin problems. It can reduce skin irritation and also repair the skin. Honey is very effective in curing flea bites. Honey also has antibacterial properties that can protect the skin from further infections. Apply honey on your kid’s affected skin all through the day to reduce the inflammation and itching.
Witch hazel
Witch hazel is a powerful natural remedy for healing flea bites. It contains tannin that is effective to reduce the itching and swelling of flea bites. It is gentle enough on the skin and can naturally causes the pores in the bitten areas to become smaller. Witch hazel also prevents secondary infections on the skin. Soak a cotton ball on witch hazel and gently apply in the bitten parts of the skin.
Oatmeal
The Journal of Drugs and Dermatology claims that oatmeal is an effective home remedy for treating flea bites and other skin problems. Oatmeal has anti bacterial and anti inflammatory properties. It can reduce the inflammation of the skin and also prevent the itching. Oatmeal has a soothing effect on skin. It has moisturizing properties also that alleviates any kind of redness or irritation of the skin. You can make a paste of oatmeal and yoghurt and apply on your child’s affected skin.
Conclusion
Flea bites can be nasty. They cause constant itching. Kids who have flea bites often make the situation worse by scratching. Scratching can cause secondary infections on other parts of the skin. It can also be allergic to some children and cause serious health complication. If the prescribed home remedies do not show any result, consult a doctor.
References
http://www.thebugsquad.com/fleas/flea-bites-solutions/
