You’re always hearing “don’t let the bed bugs bite,” which may leave you wondering what happens when they do. (If you recently traveled to Paris, you may already know.) When bed bugs bite some people, they never even know it happened. Their bites, annoying as they may be, don’t always cause symptoms. When they do, they can often take days to weeks to appear. Here’s a quick guide for understanding the health risks these bites can pose.
Common symptoms of bed bug bites
Bed bug bites appear in many forms, and it varies from person to person. They typically appear as red bumps that are clustered together. The bite marks can look like pimples, look and feel like blisters, or resemble mosquito bites. While these bites can cause irritation, if you don’t scratch them, they typically are not cause for concern.
Potential health risks associated with bed bug bites
While most people are not seriously impacted by bug bites, these are some of the health risks they can cause in rare situations:
Secondary infections
Like any insect bite, the more you scratch or irritate a bug bite, the worse it will become. Antiseptic creams and lotions, as well as antihistamines, can help reduce the discomfort and reduce the appearance of bug bites. If you scratch the area instead of treating it, you run the risk of developing a secondary skin infection.
Allergic reactions
The main risk when it comes to getting bitten by bed bugs is having an allergic reaction. Being bitten by a bed bug when you’re allergic can cause symptoms like lethargy, trouble breathing, cramping and sweating in addition to the exterior symptoms like swelling and irritation.
Preventing bed bug infestations
The best way to avoid letting the bed bugs bite is not inviting them into your home. These are the two best ways to prevent a bed bug infestation:
Taking precautions while traveling
Bed bugs typically travel home with you after a vacation. While you’re on a trip, be sure to inspect hotel beds, and avoid leaving clothing and soft suitcases on soft furniture like beds and couches. When you return, wash all your clothes, even the ones you didn’t wear, as bed bugs often find their way into suitcases. Other shared spaces they’re known to travel from are dormitories and hospitals.
Inspecting secondhand goods
These insects can also be found in secondhand furniture and clothing. Inspect secondhand furniture before buying it, and make sure to thoroughly wash and dry any secondhand clothes you buy. You may also consider shampooing and vacuuming secondhand furniture before using it, just to be sure no bed bugs are hiding inside.
Bed bug bites can ruin your day, but unless you scratch them too much or have an allergic reaction, they’re typically no cause for concern. If you believe your home has bed bugs, the Ankeny bed bug control pros at Pro-Staff can help. Call us at 515-279-7378 or contact us online.