siphonaptera (flea)
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Introduction
Wingless insects 2-4 mm long that feed on the blood of humans & other warm-blooded animals. Common human-biting fleas include Ctenocephalides canis & felis (dog & cat fleas), Xenopsylla cheopis (rat flea) & Pulex irritans (human flea).
Epidemiology
- larvae feed on pellets of dried host blood that adults eject from their rectum while feeding
- adults jump onto humans when the usual host abandons its nest
Clinical manifestations
- sensitized individuals develop erythematous, pruritic plaques, urticaria & occasionally vesicles
- bacterial superinfection at a bite site may occur
Management
- antihistamines
- antipruritics
- flea control
- cleaning of nesting sites
- insecticides: pyrethin, DDT, malathion
More general terms
More specific terms
References
- ↑ Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 13th ed. Isselbacher et al (eds), McGraw-Hill Inc. NY, 1994, pg 936