Final answer:
Flea allergic dermatitis is a hypersensitive allergic reaction in pets to flea bites, which causes severe itching and can lead to skin infections. It's underpinned by an overactive immune system response to substances that typically don't cause harm, such as flea saliva.
Step-by-step explanation:
Flea allergic dermatitis is the most common dermatologic disease of domestic dogs and is also found in cats. It is a condition where animals are allergic to flea bites, specifically the flea's saliva. In a flea-allergic pet, just one bite can trigger an intense and prolonged response, typically resulting in severe itching and scratching. The skin may become red, swollen, and develop sores which can lead to secondary infections.
Hypersensitivity
Hypersensitivity refers to an overreaction of the immune system to an allergen, which can lead to various allergic diseases like hay fever, and allergic asthma. Hypersensitivity involves an immune response that is disproportionately aggressive against substances that most people would find harmless.
Examples of Allergic Skin Disease
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is an example of an allergic skin disease, characterized by dry, itchy patches of skin that may swell, flake, or bleed. Common allergens that are associated with eczema include animal dander, molds, pollen, and in some cases, dust mites.