If you own a cat or dog, it is very likely that you will see some parasites on their body. A common parasite that take refuge on furry animals and sucks their blood are fleas. Fleas are tiny, dark brown wingless creatures that go through four stages in their life cycle namely, egg, larvae, pupae and adult. Their preferred habitats are warm shady places and the furry coats of dogs or cats. However, one question arises here: “Can fleas live in human hair?” The conditions in hair are almost the same as in a pet’s fur. If they can, there comes a concern how to get rid of fleas in human hair. Keep reading and you will find out the answer.
First, we are going to deal with the question, “Can fleas live in human hair?” It is said that there are more than 2000 species of fleas, only one of which feasts on humans. The place on the human body that has the best conditions for them is our hair where they can hide themselves. There is not much difference between human fleas and other kinds of fleas but the one distinguishing point is that these ones have fewer mouth bristles.
Sometimes, cat or dog fleas may reside on your hair even though we humans are not their favorite hosts. This happens when you play with your pets and whether it is on purpose or accidental, fleas find their way to your hair. Human blood may not be what interests those fleas but they use your hair as a means of transport to help them travel somewhere or to get closer to their favorite host – which is another dog or cat.
There would be nothing much to worry about if fleas were just in your hair, but they don’t simply stay there. Instead, fleas will bite the rest of your body, leaving red lumps which are terribly itchy bites. There is then the danger of contracting the diseases that these insects carry. Those of you who are allergic to flea saliva may even get infections from flea bites. This is the reason that we need to know how to get rid of fleas in human hair.
Now that we know that the answer to the question “Can fleas live in human hair?” is yes, we can proceed to the next step which is finding ways to eradicate fleas. The remedies to treat fleas in our hair should be absolutely safe as far as our well-being is concerned. It is not “how to get rid of fleas in human hair by all means possible” but “how to get rid of fleas in human hair safely”. We cannot treat fleas in our hair with all kinds of chemicals that target and kill fleas because, while they may be effective, they may have an adverse effect on our health. Therefore, natural and non-toxic methods should be the solutions to the question, “how to get rid of fleas in human hair”. Let’s look at some of the safe remedies to cure you of fleas.
Shampoo
Look for shampoos that have been specifically produced to treat lice or hair-mites. Those products are ideal for removing fleas from your hair as well. The procedure is quite simple. Wet your hair with warm water and apply the shampoo to every root of hair and to your scalp. It will take about ten minutes for the fleas to be killed so leave the shampoo on your hair for a sufficient amount of time before trying to rinse it off. Any remaining dead fleas that have not been washed off by the water can be removed with the help of a comb with thick teeth. Move the comb along the hair from scalp to the ends so that dead fleas and their eggs are removed altogether.
Baking soda
Housewives will be familiar with this substance as it is present in almost every home due to its multiple uses. As the name suggests, baking soda can be used for baking purpose, but also for whitening teeth, neutralizing odors, and cleaning sinks or kitchenware. Baking soda is also the answer to the question of how to get rid of fleas in human hair. Just create a paste by mixing some baking soda with a little water. Wet your hair with warm water, then spread the paste through your hair and leave it there for ten minutes. Once the allowed time for the paste to take effect is over, you can rinse it off with water without having to apply shampoo. Any fleas will be killed by the baking soda and any irritation that flea bites on your head have caused you will be soothed as well. Baking soda is useful in so many different ways, so don’t hesitate to keep some of this amazing substance in your pantry.
Apple cider vinegar
Another way to remove fleas from your hair is with another pantry staple- apple cider vinegar. How does this liquid kill fleas? The secret lies in the acidity of the vinegar which acts as a poison to fleas and their offspring while doing no harm to humans. Mix some apple cider vinegar with a little water and use it to wet your hair thoroughly. Cover your head with a towel and leave the vinegar on for at least fifteen minutes for the mixture to do its job of killing fleas. After that, you may rinse and dry your hair. Try this if your hair is infested with fleas and you will see how effective it is.
Comprehensive flea treatment in the house
We’ve seen that it is a big “yes” to the question that “Can fleas live in human hair?” so it is high time you did something to control fleas in your house before they really find their way into your hair. This is a preventive measure but its even more important than just using the remedies. Your pets are the first thing you should think of when trying to control fleas in your house. Help your pets get rid of fleas by using such products as flea shampoos and flea combs. It’s best to use natural, non-toxic products to protect them from any adverse effects.
Next, have a plan to kill any fleas in your house. The places which are a perfect habitat for fleas are under carpets, rugs, sofas and even your bed. Washing removable items in hot water or drying them at high temperatures is highly recommended to de-flea them. Alternatively, vacuuming is an excellent way to fight fleas as it will suck up fleas at all stages of their life cycle- adult fleas, larvae or eggs. However, remember to dispose of the vacuum bag right away to prevent any hatched eggs from invading the house again.
So, now you know the answer to the question, “Can fleas live in human hair?” It’s bad luck if you or any family members are attacked by the bloodsuckers but now you also know that there are a number of remedies that are both simple and safe to use to treat fleas in your hair. Nevertheless, no cure is better than prevention. By taking care of your living space, keeping your house neat and clean, or watching out for any fleas on your pets to promptly treat them, there will be no chance for the pesky insects to invade your hair.
Thanks for reading!
