Bed bugs and Pests
Pest exterminators Dhanush Madhavan and Nalaka Daundaratne
Bed bug Bites and Distress
Bed bug bites are the most uncomfortable part of any infestation. If commonly causes mild to severe itchiness that would cause sleep disturbance in both humans and the pets that are being bitten. In most cases, it’s the primary indicator that you have a bed bug issue on hand. However, not all will show signs as itchiness, redness to skin, hives or similar after they are biting where things will be little challenging as this may prolong identifying the problem. Longer we don’t start to act will allow them to magnify the infestation very rapidly. Anyhow, if you have few members in the family who would encounter bed bugs, usually, at least someone will show typical signs after being bitten. Therefore, it’s always important pay attention how everyone including your pets are impacted by bed bugs.
Signs of Bed bug Bites
Bite marks
These can be either few widely spread singe dot-like bite marks or number of them concentrated around one area. This primarily depends on how severe your infestation is. Typically, each bed bug bites several places through a feeding leaving many bite marks. Since they inject a chemical with anesthetic properties, we wouldn’t know until they had fed and left the body. Refer to the photo guides provided by Nalaka Daundaratne to learn of how a bed bug bite looks like. Remember, identifying the bed bug problem with just bite marks is not sufficient. You must look for other visual cues in confirming problem.
Reddened (redness) skin
Redness to the skin can be noted with or without bite marks or hives. Just redness is common in children compared to adults. Once again, first you must rule out other causes that might turn your skin to itchy redness and find other evidence to confirm that you have bed bugs.
Skin hives caused by bedbugs
Rarely, their chemicals that been exchanged while drinking our blood can cause minor to severe allergic reaction. Hives are result of that situation. It’s similar to how some individuals get itchy elevated skin bumps in response to mild food allergies or in contact with poison ivy. Remember that these hives can appear around both the areas where they fed on you as well as other locations. Learn about sign of moderate to severe allergic reactions where generally will need medical attention as needed.
Bed bug rash
Some may develop a skin rash with redness and many tiny bumps or itchy areas of skin. There are instances where you will find pustules that are sort of like little pimples on your skin where they have bit. So, be careful where you scratch at such conditions as you can damage the skin very easily forming exposed wounds on skin. Above image shows a rare severe bed bug rash of child that was noted by Nalaka Daundaratne. Such situations need medical attention. This particular home was with a severe bed bug infestation which wasn't controlled properly throughout.
Home remedies and over-the-counter medications for bed bug bites
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Any skin ointment that treats mild itchiness can help to lower the discomfort. Typically, these medications are made with hydrocortisone medicinal ingredient. Best is to talk to your pharmacist to get the best recommendation
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For instant relief, use an icepack or any other cold compression on the affected area following safe techniques
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In severe widespread bites, you can use a soothing bath by placing oats or commercially prepared oat-bath products to calm your skin and the itchiness. This will especially help children who have been bitten intensely to improve comfort until other medical and non-medical treatments are given
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If you have wounds related to skin damage caused by intense scratching, it is advised that you talk to the pharmacist or see a physician who can properly attend to treat skin. While bed bugs bits don’t transmit diseases, these wounds that are secondary to their bites can cause severe skin infection and other complications. Ask your pharmacist about using an over-the-counter antibiotic skin ointments as required.
Psychological distress caused by Bed bugs
One of the important problems that the infestation might cause is the mental distress and pressure that can lead to depression. Since bed bugs complete elimination is a time, resources, and effort consuming process, one might be overwhelmed experiencing this difficult episode. Especially, if you already suffer from bed-bug-phobia or similar condition that can be worsen by this experience. So, it’s important to know where you stand and find coping mechanisms that will work for you to have the dedication and strength to fight your bed bug problem effectively. Consider talking to someone or a professional if you have developed sever signs of mental distress.