What are mites and fleas, and how can you recognize and treat their bites? Discover the essential facts about these pesky creatures and how to manage their impact on your health.

Understanding Mites: What You Need to Know

Mites are tiny arthropods, closely related to spiders and ticks, that can sometimes bite or affect humans. While most types of mites feed on other insects or on dead plant and animal matter, there are a few that can cause issues for people. These include chiggers, scabies mites, rat mites, bird mites, and the northern fowl mite.

Contrary to popular belief, home mite infestations are relatively rare and often less problematic than many assume. As Mike Merchant, PhD, a former professor of entomology at Texas A&M University, explains, “A lot of the mite stuff on the internet makes it sound like [a mite infestation is] the end of the world, but it’s not.”

The Potential Health Impacts of Mite Bites

Mite bites can cause skin irritation, including lumps, rashes, and occasionally more severe reactions. The most common culprit is the chigger, a type of mite that bites during its larval stage and produces an intensely itchy red welt.

Other mites that may bite or affect humans often come from animal nests, such as those of birds, rats, and mice. These can cause itchy skin rashes, usually featuring small lumps or pimples. While unpleasant, these symptoms typically resolve within a week with proper treatment.

The exception is scabies mites, which actually infest a person’s skin to lay eggs and feed. Scabies rashes will continue to appear unless the person receives medical treatment, usually in the form of a prescription skin cream or lotion.

Dust mites can also cause allergic reactions in some people, leading to symptoms like a runny nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes. Over-the-counter and prescription allergy medications can help manage these types of reactions.

Eliminating Mites in Your Home

The key to getting rid of mites in your home is to remove the animals and animal nests that are bringing them in, says Merchant. “Everybody always wants a spray to solve these types of mite problems, but the real solution is getting rid of any animals nesting in your home, and animal-proofing your home.”

For scabies mites, in addition to medical treatment, you’ll also need to decontaminate your home by thoroughly washing and drying bedding, clothing, and towels, or by dry-cleaning and sealing these items in plastic for at least 72 hours.

Dust mites, on the other hand, are much harder to eliminate completely. But you can limit their impact by frequent cleaning and dusting, installing HEPA air filters, and using bedding that resists dust accumulation and can be washed in hot water.

The Lowdown on Fleas

Fleas are blood-sucking insects that typically live on mammals, including dogs, cats, and other furry pets. While they prefer animals, fleas can also migrate onto human skin, often biting the lower legs as people walk through infested areas.

Flea bites typically present as small red bumps, often appearing in groups of three or more. Like mite bites, these can be itchy, but the symptoms tend to resolve within a week with proper treatment.

Treating and Preventing Flea Bites

To manage flea bite symptoms, you can use ice and hydrocortisone cream to help relieve the itching and swelling. However, the real key to addressing flea problems is to eliminate the fleas themselves, either through pest control measures or by treating your pets and their living areas.

Preventing flea and mite issues in the first place is also important. Regularly grooming and treating your pets, maintaining a clean and well-sealed home, and being vigilant for signs of infestations can help you avoid the hassle and discomfort of these pests.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Most mite and flea bites can be managed at home, but it’s important to watch for any signs of more serious reactions, such as severe swelling, difficulty breathing, or an unexpectedly prolonged or worsening rash. In these cases, it’s best to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.

By understanding the differences between mites and fleas, recognizing the signs of their bites, and taking appropriate steps to prevent and manage infestations, you can keep your home and your health protected from these pesky pests.