Bed Bug 101: Discover the Diseases that Bed Bugs Can Cause
Bed bugs are tiny, wingless, parasitic pests notorious for feeding human blood. They usually live in beds, including headboards, bed frames, mattress seams, box springs, and cracks in furniture, walls, and floors. Bed bugs remain most active at night and bite on the exposed skin areas while a person sleeps.
Can bed bugs transmit diseases?
Bed bugs are among the pests that property owners fear. A study published by the American Society for Microbiology states that bed bugs carry 40 different disease-causing organisms. However, there is no evidence of pathogen transmission in humans through bed bugs.
Bed bugs cannot transfer deadly diseases to humans or impact their health directly. However, their infestation and bites can cause various problems in some individuals, leading to severe health concerns. If you think that there's a bed bug infestation on your property (residential or commercial), it is crucial to get rid of it as soon as possible. You want to avoid discomfort and prevent any negative impact.
Health risks associated with bed bug bites
A bed bug bite is often painless and often mistaken for a mosquito bite or a rash. Different individuals can react differently to the bites. While some people may have no symptoms, others can experience severe reactions to a bed bug bite.
Here are some risks and problems accompanying a bed bug infestation:
Itching
Severe itching or painful burning sensation is the most common thing a bed bug bite can cause. Redness, blisters, and swelling are other side effects of bed bug bites. As bed bugs bite in clusters, a person can feel the itching sensation for a long time.
Skin infection
Welts can form due to continuous scratching or itching. The exposed wound can lead to infection if a person fails to disinfect or clean the bites.
Allergic skin reaction
Some people experience allergic reactions due to bed bug bites. The saliva can cause rashes, hives, and itching. Vulnerable individuals can suffer from asthmatic attacks and fever due to bed bug droppings and may require medical attention.
Blood loss
If there is a severe infestation, a person can get bitten by bed bugs as many as 50 times per night. Over time, several bed bug bites can result in significant blood loss, increasing the possibility of anemia.
Psychological concerns
Several individuals develop a fear of bed bug bites. If the house or a property is infested severely with bed bugs, people can experience insomnia due to the thought of bugs crawling around them. Living in a bedbug-infested home can lead to stress, anxiety, physical and mental exhaustion, leading to various health issues.
Anaphylactic shock
Bed bug bites can induce anaphylactic shock, an extreme allergic reaction, in vulnerable individuals or people with low immunity. An individual can experience swollen lips or tongue, tightness in chest and throat, and wheezing after the reaction, and may need immediate medical help.
Young children, the elderly, individuals with a suppressed immune system, and bedridden individuals are at an increased risk of reacting negatively to bed bug bites.
Always get professional pest control
A bed bug infestation can get out of control quickly when not treated on time. Call a local bed bug removal company as soon as you notice signs of infestation to control the outbreak.
Bed Bugs Arizona offers a free, in-home bed bug inspection and a one-year warranty on all bed bug services. No obligation. We specialize in apartment communities. Our fast, certified technicians provide the Pro-Treat Plus method of bed bug removal to Phoenix and surrounding cities in a 100-mile plus radius including Flagstaff, Globe, and Casa Grande. Veteran and senior discounts. Call now at (602) 962-8806.
