Even though bed bugs bites are not deadly harmful to humans, they can be quite uncomfortable and can cause some health challenges. Even though the bites are intrinsically dangerous, they can be itchy and may require an over-the-counter medication to relieve the itchiness. Bed bugs find their host by detecting carbon dioxide emitted from warm-blooded animals or people and they respond to moisture/warmth.
For a lot of people, bed bugs are quite an annoyance as opposed to serious health hazards. Bed bugs suck blood for nourishment. Here are some ways bed bugs can affect our health:
● Allergic reaction
Some people react to bed bug bites with mild to extreme allergic reactions. This allergic reaction is quite similar to what some people experience when stung by a bee. If you are allergic to bed bug bites seek medical attention right away for treatment.
● Insomnia
Bed bugs are nocturnal, which means they don’t feed while their host is still awake. They wait till you are asleep before pouncing. While the bites are not painful themselves, they can cause irritation which is quite uncomfortable. This can lead to lack of sleep, which can lead to a variety of health issues such as irritability, depression, difficulty focusing, anxiety, loss of appetite, and so on.
● Infection
While bed bug bites don’t transmit disease, they can lead to infection. Bed bug bites lead to infection as the individual scratches the area and then germs and other pathogens will be introduced to the wound.
Treating bed bug bite
Most times, bites from bed bugs can pose several threats to our health. However, treating bed bug bites is quite easy. To relieve the symptom of bed bug bites, the following may help:
- Use over the counter pain reliever to relieve the pain and swelling
- Take an oral antihistamine to reduce the burning and itching sensation
- Apply calamine lotion or anti-itch cream
- Contact a professional pest control service
