The good news is that bed bugs don’t result in any serious illnesses or diseases. However, they can still cause skin irritation and itchiness in the affected areas of your skin. In addition, bed bug bites could trigger allergic reactions in some cases. Due to excessive scratching from the itchy bites, one could also suffer from infections or cellulitis. There are many such facts regarding health issues that one might face due to bed bugs, which we’ll discuss in this following section. Scroll down to find your answers.
Signs That You’ve Been Bitten By A Bed Bug
Let’s help you identify the very first signs of being bitten by a bed bug. For first-timers, it may be difficult to confirm which particular bug it is, as bed bug bites, spider bites, and flea bites, all have very similar symptoms. The initial reaction would be skin irritation for all three, more precisely, itchiness.
You should also know that not everyone has symptoms that are alike. Many people face itchiness, while others feel slight burns and inflammation on the affected areas of their skin. Both are common symptoms triggered by bites from bed bugs.
One more insight would be to monitor the bite patterns on your skin. Bed bugs are known to leave three marks that form a triangular-like shape or a straight line. Bed bugs, however, don’t come out every night to bite; they take breaks and attack again in a few days. This, again, is a sign that your house is home to bed bug eggs.
Does It Affect Physical Health?
The first reaction to being bitten by a bed bug is – nothing! Although, it has been identified that most people bitten would notice a reaction, even if it is mild. However, it can get severe for some people. Here’s a list of the most common reactions to bed bug bites:
- Red marks form a triangle or straight line in patterns of three dots or marks
- Inflammation or burning
- Skin itchiness or irritation
- Widespread rash for multiple bites
Being bitten by bed bugs does not require one to worry about spreading it around, as they are not contagious. Another common concern is if the affected areas spread due to scratching or itching skin continuously – it doesn’t. But that does not mean that you scratch away, as your skin could catch an infection if you’re not careful.
Bed bugs don’t spread on the skin and are not contagious for sure, however, it is possible for them to spread their infestation through you – meaning your clothes, possessions, and other belongings. Simply put, if you have been at a hotel that’s infested with bed bugs, you’re most likely to bring it along with you to your home. And next thing you know, your home is infested too.
If you have the slightest concern, we strongly recommend you get it treated by booking yourself for a pest-control inspection.
How To Get Rid of Bed Bugs?
We hate to break it to you that you cannot get rid of beg bugs in a day because it is a lengthy process. We’ll discuss three effective solutions that have been tried and tested to get rid of bed bugs.
- Treatment and Pesticides
- Thermal Treatment
- Freezing bed bugs with Cryonite
For a minimal infestation, you could probably choose the DIY way of getting rid of them. But the question remains, how do you know the severity of the infestation? It is not easy to guarantee that you’ve gotten rid of it all without seeking professional help from pest control services. Trust us, you’ll be frustrated once you notice them coming back in a week.
A thorough inspection can help you identify the surfaces of infestation, and they can be treated effectively and permanently.
Preventive Measures to Stay Away From Bed Bug Infestation
The first thing you need to do is work on decluttering your home and office. Congested and overcrowded spaces attract bed bugs to start building their homes. Once you remove unwanted items, make sure you are keeping the corners and hard-to-reach areas clean. Surfaces of furniture should also be cleared and cleaned.
Bed bugs are sneaky pests, and they’ll find the smallest spaces to start an infestation. Storage areas and common living spaces are also potential homes for bed bugs. Make sure you vacuum daily, and the garbage bin should be kept outside the house after you have cleaned your home.
Treating a Bed Bug Bite on Your Own
Home remedies can be a solution, but there’s no guarantee that you’ll be able to successfully treat it at home. Here are some over-the-counter products that are effective – calamine lotion, pramoxine ointment, an antihistamine containing diphenhydramine, cetirizine, fexofenadine, etc.
You could also make a mixture of pest control solution using tea bags, lemon juice, baking soda, toothpaste, and spray or gently apply it to the bites.
Treating a Bed Bug Bite with the Help of a Doctor
If you’re suffering beyond your control, you must see a doctor without further delaying it. Infections and allergic reactions can often escalate if neglected, or not attended to immediately. A physician or just a general family medicine doctor can prescribe you medications for instant relief.
Conclusion
It’s safe to say that there are no health dangers associated with bed bug bites, however, one should not underestimate it. The infestation can spread like wildfire, only if you allow it. Being bitten by bed bugs will not immediately make you sick, but if you’ve been suffering for a long time, you could develop allergies, infection, or even face blood loss in severe cases. For any symptoms or slightest concerns, you should pick up your phone and call the pest-control guys right away to come and inspect your home for you.
