Bed Bug Bites – Spotting And Treating

Bed bug bites come from parasitic insects that prey on warm-blooded animals, including humans. Bed bugs get their name from the fact that they often congregate in and around beds. The bugs then feed on humans while they sleep. Unfortunately, they are exceptionally hard to detect, given that they typically come out at night and that they hide in cracks and crevices. People usually do not notice they have bed bugs in their homes until they start showing symptoms of their bites.

Bed Bug Bites: Why are They So Common?

At one time, bed bug infestations were under control due to the use of DDT. Because some pesticides are now known to harm humans, they are no longer used to fight pests in developed countries. There is also the fact that bed bugs are particularly resilient and are becoming immune to human methods of fighting them. Foreign travel also contributes to the prevalence of bed bug bites. Travelers go to countries where bed bugs are common and then return with the critters in their clothes and luggage. Apartment and condominium living also contributes to the problem. If one residence in a building becomes infested, they are all at risk. Every person who lives there is then capable of transporting bed bugs to other residences outside of the building and thus the cycle continues.

Bed Bug Bites: The Symptoms

Bed bug bites can cause a range of symptoms or no symptoms at all. Victims may notice small red marks to large red welts at the site of the bite. A rash may also occur over a period of exposure because it appears that victims become more, rather than less, sensitive to bed bug bites over time. People who have allergic reactions to bed bug bites may notice hives, severe itching and discomfort at the site of the bite and elsewhere on the body. The bites may also become infected, becoming more noticeable as the infection worsens. Bad infestations may also cause psychological issues as the bites and sensation of bed bugs becomes unbearable. It may also become difficult to sleep. Elimination of the bed bug infestations will alleviate psychological symptoms and eventually rid the victim of bite symptoms.

Bed Bug Bites: How to Treat Them

Treatment of bed bug bites involves treatment of the symptoms and treatment of the infestation. If the bed bugs were encountered away from home, place all clothing that was in that home in a dryer on high heat for a full cycle before bringing them home. Place belongings that cannot go in the dryer in the hot sun for a few hours, if possible. If not, clean and inspect them before bringing them home. If the bites occur at home, call an exterminator.

To treat the bites themselves, first clean them thoroughly with soap and water. Use anti itch cream to soothe itching and ice packs to relieve swelling. If there is an allergic reaction to the bites, use a topical or oral antihistamine. In rare cases, anaphylaxis can occur. If there is shortness of breath, swelling of the mouth or face, or shock associated with the bites, go to a hospital immediately. If the victim has an EpiPen prescribed by a doctor and there is clearly anaphylaxis, administer the EpiPen.

Bed bug bites can be debilitating in a psychological sense. It is important to spot them and treat the symptoms and infestation as soon as possible. This is also a public health issue. If an infestation goes untreated, the bed bugs that are causing the bites can spread to other buildlings. Some areas are so infested with bed bugs as to be nearly epidemic. College dorms, apartment buildings and cheap motels are the most susceptible. To learn more about the spread of bed bugs and bed bug bites, watch this video.

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