Are Bed Bugs Dangerous? Bed Bugs And Your Health

Are Bed Bugs A Danger To Your Health?

When most of us think about diseases and biting pests we usually consider mosquitoes or ticks. Not often do we think about bed bugs. While it is true that bed bugs do not spread disease as mosquitoes or ticks do, they can cause some issues with your health regardless. Let's take a closer look at bed bugs and your health.

How Do Bed Bugs Feed?

According to the Centers for Disease Control, bed bugs feed on humans and other warm-blooded hosts, in order to survive and reproduce. They find a host by detecting carbon dioxide emitted from warm-blooded people or animals and respond to warmth/moisture. In order to feed, they penetrate the skin of the host and inject a salivary fluid that contains an anticoagulant to help them obtain blood.

Bed Bugs Health Effects

First of all, bed bugs do not spread diseases to humans, that we know of yet. That should be a weight off your mind if you are dealing with a bed bug infestation in your home, office, dorm, or school. However, they can have negative effects on your health, such as itchy, annoying bites, insomnia, increased anxiety, and, in some cases, anemia due to blood loss, outlined in more detail below.

Allergic Reaction To Bed Bug Bites

Some people may experience a mild or severe allergic reaction to the bites of bed bugs, much like some individual's reaction to bee or hornet stings. Hypersensitivity (anaphylaxis) to the bed bug bites in some people may lead to anaphylactic shock which is extremely dangerous and life-threatening. One needs to seek immediate medical attention in such cases.

Infections

Bed bug bites are notoriously itchy and if scratched too much can lead to a secondary infection. When a bite is over-scratched one can easily introduce germs into the wound. Since bed bugs usually attack at night, you can scratch yourself spontaneously during your sleep and thus infect the bite site.

Respiratory Problems

If you or a member of your household suffers from respiratory problems, the presence of bedbugs can worsen these conditions. Bed bugs shed their outer skins, or casings, as they grow. These casings, along with the bed bugs' feces, can dry out and become airborne.

Can Bed Bugs Cause Anemia?

In some cases, hosts have been drained of blood so often that they suffer from anemia. These cases should be seen by a doctor immediately to resolve the symptoms and put you on the path to recovery quickly.

I Found Bed Bugs, What's Next?

Once a host (you or your family members) has discovered s/he is being targeted each night, there may be a level of anxiety and stress to finding and eliminating these pests. Obviously hiring a professional team of exterminators will be the first step and after treatments, your mind should be put to rest. Until that time, however, many homeowners who are experiencing bed bugs find that they suffer from insomnia and high anxiety. After all, this is a stressful situation.

Bed Bug Bite Symptoms? Seek Immediate Treatment!

In addition to insomnia, some people who experience bed bugs do have some of the health problems outlined above. For example, there are some who are allergic and will need to seek treatment immediately to stop the itch or the rash. In other cases, hosts have been drained of blood so often that they suffer from anemia. These cases should be seen by a doctor immediately to resolve the symptoms and put you on the path to recovery quickly.

Warning: Do Not Misuse Toxic Chemicals

Some homeowners try to treat the bed bug infestation on their own. While this may seem like a good idea and may seem cost-effective, it also means that you are exposing everyone in your home to hazardous and toxic chemicals. In addition, these treatments do not work as well as a professional treatment. Talk to an exterminator before you begin spraying chemicals all over your house!

Contact Professional Bed Bug Exterminators

If you are experiencing bed bugs and need assistance in eliminating them from your home or business, call Pest-End Exterminators now at 1-800-287-4321, 603-382-9644, or 978-794-4321. Our team can create a treatment plan and even use our canine detection program to root out the locations of your infestation.