Summary
Flea bites don’t hurt. Most people aren’t aware of being bitten until an itchy skin reaction develops. A wheal appears soon after the bite that isn’t too irritating and fades quickly. However, 24 hours after the bite, a hard bump called a papule forms. The papules cause considerable itching.
Details
Flea Bites aren’t Felt Initially
Flea bites aren’t painful. In fact, people are often unaware of being bitten unless they see the flea. Most bites are noticed once a skin reaction develops, which may not occur until a day later.
When fleas bite, they introduce saliva into the surrounding skin. The saliva prevents blood coagulation, and spreads and softens dermal tissue. This allows their needle-like mouths to easily penetrate the skin. Only one stylet pierces into the blood vessel. Once the meal is over, the stylet is rapidly withdrawn and there’s remarkably little damage done to the host.
Immune Response & Itching
Flea bites vary in severity, depending on the host’s individual response and sensitivity due to previous exposure. Most people experience both an immediate and delayed reaction.
Immediate Reaction
After a flea bites, the affected skin rises in 5-30 minutes. This is called whealing, and it’s similar to what happens with mosquito bites. Wheals cause mild itching, but they usually don’t bother people much. The effects aren’t too irritating and they’re short-lived.
Delayed Reaction
The wheal fades in 12-24 hours and is replaced by a papule. A papule is a solid bump, like a welt. The papules are extremely itchy and bothersome. The severity of the irritation peaks in 12-24 hours. The itchy lesions may induce scratching and rubbing, which can lead to secondary bacterial infections.
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The information above is incorrect dogs cats and humans alike all feel a flea bite instantly that’s why we react the way we do by scratching and slappingjust because something is on the internet doesn’t mean it’s true
I was going to say that! It’s like a stinging sensation. If they don’t hurt then can someone explain to me why my sister’s doggie a white German shepherd name Chleo would wake up all hours of the night crying out and biting or scratching where a flea was hurting her at? She had so many bleeding bites that when I first met her I wanted to beat my sister upside the head till she had bleeding spots. Thankfully I with my two years of animal care knowledge took control and with some researching (Mostly searching for if it was safe to use flea products on a doggie with bleeding flea bites. I didn’t want her to feel anymore pain.) That night she had managed to get a full nights sleep without waking up and crying. and within a couple of days I seen her bites starting to heal. I just would spray those with the anti itching spray. I used flea drops until she was all healed up then did a flea dip and after that a once a month flea shampooing. I usually stay a month at my sister’s house. But I chose to stay as long as it took to get Chleo flea and pain free.
Anyways, yes they hurt and they can feed through thin clothing and even get embedded in thick clothing. Oh and I gave my big sis a HUGE lecture on how she could have gotten in serious trouble and could have had Chleo taken from her. She learned her lesson.