Bed Bug Treatment of Signs & Symptoms
Bed Bug Treatment of Signs & Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of Bed bug bites will usually affect only the skin surface. Bed bugs inject an anticoagulant to keep your blood flowing as they suck, along with a numbing agent to keep you from feeling them while they are feeding off of their victim. The bites appear as small itchy red bumps known as papules or wheals. If you find the bumps in a linear or clustered fashion this usually indicates repeated feedings by a single Bed bug. Bed bugs do not carry pathogens like ticks and mosquitoes. Bed bugs aren’t known to spread disease to humans, although they may be carriers of the organisms that cause hepatitis B and Chagas’ disease.
Adult Bed bugs are generally flattened and reddish brown in color. They closely resemble apple seeds in appearance and size. Newly hatched nymphs look very much like the adults of the species but they are almost colorless. The reddish brown color is gained as they mature. The adult Bed bug is capable of laying up to 5 eggs daily. These eggs are extremely hard to see with the naked eye and resemble a speck of dust on a dark surface.
Bed bug treatment as pertains to bites is aimed at relieving symptoms. Bites usually resolve within one to two weeks. Topical creams can be used to relieve itching. Those with cortisone or a similar ingredient work well. Scratching should be avoided if at all possible to prevent infection. Consult your doctor if you have severe reactions. Some people are actually allergic to Bed bugs. An oral antibiotic may be recommended if infection occurs. Oral corticosteroids may be recommended for severe allergic reaction. Antihistamines are suggested to help relieve allergic reactions symptoms. A rare possibility exists that anaphylactic shock may occur as an allergic reaction to the substances the Bed bug inject while feeding. Bed bug bites do not normally require medical attention. They will go away in a few days. If you have bites that do not go away or that look infected, see your doctor for Bed bug treatment.
When trying to prevent Bed bugs some factors to consider that will increase your chances of a Bed bug infestation are climate, type of housing, and living with pets in your home. Bed bugs love tropical areas, although they are not limited to these areas. Infestation is more likely in apartments and homeless shelters where there is a high turnover. This is much more so than in single-family homes. Pets like cats and dogs can carry Bed bugs right into the home.
Because of their small size of less than one fourth of an inch Bed bugs can hide in the seams of baggage when you travel or boxes shipped from an infested source. College dorms, hotels, motels, shelters and even apartment complexes are a great food source for the Bed bugs. Anywhere where there are plenty of mattresses and warm blooded bodies are the favorite spots. Even renting to a new roommate could be an invitation to Bed bugs. The Bed bugs can come along in boxes, bags and hidden in furniture. Use of a high quality Bed bug spray is a good idea for frequent treatment in any hotels, motels, personal dwellings and anywhere Bed bugs could pose a potential problem.
If you suspect Bed bugs are already present in your home and you haven’t been able to get rid of Bed bug yet, wearing nightclothes that cover as much skin as possible is a viable option until you can kill Bed bugs living in your home. Look for these signs that will let you know that Bed bugs are present:
- Small bloodstains on sheets and mattresses
- Specks of blood behind wallpaper or other sites of heavy infestation
- Insect excrement at the entry to hiding places in furniture crevices and walls
- A strong pungent odor caused by Bed bugs’ oil secretions
