Pulicosis is a skin

Skin

-Dermis:The dermis is the layer of skin beneath the epidermis that consists of connective tissue and cushions the body from stress and strain. The dermis is tightly connected to the epidermis by a basement membrane. It also harbors many Mechanoreceptors that provide the sense of touch and heat...

 condition caused by several species of flea

Flea

Flea is the common name for insects of the order Siphonaptera which are wingless insects with mouthparts adapted for piercing skin and sucking blood...

s, including the cat flea

Cat flea

The cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis, is one of the most abundant and widespread species of flea on Earth.-Overview:The cat flea's primary host is the domestic cat, but this is also the primary flea infesting dogs in most of the world. The cat flea can also maintain its life cycle on other...

 Ctenocephalides felis. The condition manifests itself after as few as one flea bite and may not even be noticed. Within minutes skin irritation begins. This can range from extremely mild to severe. After 48-72 hours, a more severe form may begin to spread throughout the body. Symptoms include swelling of the bitten area, erythema

Erythema

Erythema is redness of the skin, caused by hyperemia of the capillaries in the lower layers of the skin. It occurs with any skin injury, infection, or inflammation...

, ulcers of the mouth and throat, restlessness and soreness of the areola

Areola

This article is about the breast tissue. For the entomology term, see the glossary of Lepidopteran terms. For an artistic cloud motif, see aureola. For the cactus feature, see Areole....

s. If these symptoms appear, seek immediate medical attention. Within 1 week the condition may spread through the lymph nodes and begin affecting the central nervous system. Permanent nerve damage can occur.