Small wingless insects that are vectors of disease.
Carriers of bubonic plague and flea-borne typhus from rats to humans.
2-6 mm long, can move quickly and can jump 30 cm or more.
Bite results in a punctate hemorrhagic area with development into a papule, vesicle or a bulla.
Lesions may be clustered.
Usually associated with wheal around probe site with peak reaction in 5-30 minutes.
Skin bites usually associated with pruritus.
Induration of lesion with papule formation occurs within 12-24 hours.
Bites may produce immediate and delayed skin reactions.