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Morsus insecti from flea bites: seasonal appearance and relation to sex and age of flea‐exposed persons
Author(s) -
Hallas T.E.,
Roesdahl K.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
journal of the european academy of dermatology and venereology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.655
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1468-3083
pISSN - 0926-9959
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-3083.1993.tb00034.x
Subject(s) - flea , medicine , veterinary medicine
Objectives To elucidate (1) the seasonal appearance of Morsus insecti from flea bites and (2)the prevalence of this disease in males and females. Material (1) 182 patients suspected of being bitten by fleas from dogs and/or cats and 9697 non‐patients complaining of ‘flea bites’ and (2) 514 non‐patients exposed to and bitten by (cat) fleas. Methods (1) Clinical examination of patients and microscopic investigation of fur samples from their pets and (2) inquiries about the sex and age of bitten vs non‐bitten members of the households. Results (1) Non‐patients are mainly affected by bird fleas from April to May and to cat fleas from August to October, as are patients, but examinations of fur gave insufficient verification in April‐May (expected) and in October (unexpected). (2) Children of both sexes (0–10 years) are equally bitten, but adult women are more often bitten (i.e., show Morsus insecti symptoms) than adult men. Conclusion (1) Examination of the patients' pets for signs of fleas is a useful diagnostic tool, but should be supplemented with knowledge of the seasonal appearance of flea bites. (2) It is necessary to elucidate why Morsus insecti from fleas preferentially appear in adult women. Some possible explanations are given, but none is conclusive.