For not so long, most of the world firmly believed that fleas were animal-specific and that pets could get them, but humans could not— and it turns out that is a whole lot of wrong. Fleas can live in human hair, and if you find that horrifying, you are not alone.
In fact, fleas can and will infest human beings even when there are no dogs, cats, guinea pigs, bunnies, or any other furred pets in the home.
The good news is that it shouldn’t happen if you take care to prevent fleas in your pets. Living in or near the woods presents a risk, but you can take precautions.
Can Fleas Live In Human Hair?
Yep, they’re a pain in the butt to get rid of, as well, since human hair is longer and thicker than animal hair. You might not even react to the fleas, so you won’t necessarily know. Pay attention to severe itching and look out for red bumps and welts that itch like the dickens.
How to Fet Rid of Fleas in Human Hair
Below we have compiled a selection of remedies in case you discover that there are fleas in your hair.
#1: Try Lice Shampoo
Any shampoo for hair mites or lice will get rid of any fleas living in human hair. Follow the directions on the bottle, and pick up a fine-tooth comb—you’ll need it.
#2: Make a Baking Soda Paste
Create a paste with water and baking soda. It should be thin enough to spray out of a bottle. Saturate your hair, leave the mixture on for ten minutes, then rinse using warm water.
#3: Use Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil or shampoo with tea tree oil should eliminate fleas. It’s both anti-microbial and anti-parasitic, so it kills the eggs as well as the fleas.
#4: Wash with Lemon Dish Soap
Lemon dish work will get rid of your pet’s fleas, making it a safe, surefire option to deal with the fact that fleas can live in human hair. Also, yes, use it on your pets, too.
#5: Rinse with Apple Cider Vinegar
Finally, a simple apple cider vinegar rinse should do the job of killing your fleas, too. Because it’s acidic, it gets rid of fleas and their eggs. Even better, it leaves your hair and your scalp acidic, as well, so after you rinse with the vinegar, your head is no longer a welcome environment for the itchy guys. Get some warm water, add the apple cider vinegar, and apply it to your hair and scalp, then cover it with a shower cap and let it sit for 15 minutes before you rinse out your hair.
Can Bed Bugs Really Live in Your Hair?
Google the question, “can fleas live in human hair?” and you’ll find a whole host of other remedies, as well as precautionary measures. Tell the truth: have you ever had fleas?