The old wive's tale about bed bug bites is true.
Bed bugs are not just monsters in a fairy tale. They are real live insects that have infested major cities across the globe. While the idea of tiny little bugs biting in your sleep may make your skin crawl, the itch after a bite is worse. If you're not already sensitive to bed bugs, enough bites could also cause you to develop allergies.
What Are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs might be mistaken for a tiny roach. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) describes bed bugs as a "wingless, red-brown, blood-sucking insect that grows up to 7 mm in length." They can live from four months up to a year feeding off your blood while you sleep. Bed bugs are nocturnal, sleeping during the day in cracks in the paint, creases along the walls, inside mattresses and in the stitching of bed linen.
Treating Bites
Bed bug bites are usually more annoying than dangerous. The itching from a bed bug bite is similar to that of a mosquito but it seemingly never goes away. Studies at the Harvard School of Public Health show that "Physicians often treat patients with antihistamines and corticosteroids to reduce allergic reactions and inflammation." Effective anti-itching creams can be bought over the counter at any drug store.
Disease Transmission
Unlike mosquitoes and other blood-sucking insects, the CDC says that bed bugs do not transmit disease from host to host. This is due to the fact that the flow of blood from host to insect is one-way. CDC reports show that some viruses such as Hepatitis B have been detected in the insects up to 6 weeks after feeding on infected blood, but they have not be shown to transmit the virus to an uninfected person they later feed on.
Anaphylaxis and Allergies
In general, bed bug bites are be annoying but harmless. However, after multiple bites over an extended period of time, the host can become sensitive to the bites and develop allergies. Some can have an anaphylactic response to bites. Anaphylaxis occurs when the body attacks something that has previously been harmless or unknown to the body due to hypersensitivity. According to WebMD experts, "Anaphylaxis can cause swelling, hives, lowered blood pressure and dilated blood vessels." This is a reaction commonly seen in people allergic to bee stings, nuts and seafood and can be fatal in the most extreme cases.
Pest Control
Harvard School of Public Health advises to get rid of clutter and expose any places that bed bugs could hide. Scrub the infested room, using toothbrushes to clean cracks and crevices and get rid of eggs. Use bed bug mattress covers to wrap your mattress and box springs. Caulk and seal all holes, then call an exterminator.
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