Although they are not known to carry any dangerous diseases, their bites can result in relatively large welts that can be very itchy and irritating for many days. In this guide, we shall study the effect of bed bug bites and how to treat them. To do that, however, we first need to find out how bed bugs feed and how long does it take for a bed bug infestation to manifest. Bed bugs are parasites and feed on blood. Although they can feed on any animal, human blood is their most favored diet.
Bed bugs feed on humans by piercing their skin with their sharp and long beak-like proboscis to draw blood from their victim. In order to not make their prey aware of them, bed bugs excrete saliva at the same time. The saliva contains anesthesia that numbs the wound and an anticoagulant that keeps the blood from clotting. This allows the bed bugs to drink from the host as long as they want without waking us up.
The bed bug saliva is the reason why a large majority of bed bug bites become red and inflamed. Like most blood-feeding animals, bed bugs are nocturnal and usually come out during the night. While it is still possible to see an errant bug crawling on your bed sheet in early mornings, during the day, bed bugs prefer to hide inside cracks, crevices, nooks and crannies, cracks in the walls, the seams and inside of your mattress, your pillows, and your box springs.
One of their most favorite places is hiding inside mattresses and cracks in the bed as it allows them easy access to their victims.
When people go to sleep at night, these bed bugs are attracted to the carbon dioxide that humans breathe out. They follow their lure and bite their victims. If a bed bug is especially hungry, it may even venture out in the day time and bite any humans reclining on the bed.
Under these circumstances, it may also feed on any animal that is occupying the bed. Bed bug bites can easily be mistaken for other small insect bites like mosquitoes and fleas. All of these insects can cause small round bumps on human skin. However, bed bug bites have a few characteristics that can help tell them apart. The first step in identifying a bed bug bite is to make sure that you are looking at a bite and not just a scratch or a puncture wound from some object.
Bed bug bites appear in the form of inflamed and red welts, which are circular with irregularly shaped boundaries. The outer circle is a lighter red compared to the middle. Bed bug bites are usually clustered together in straight or zigzag lines along the exposed surface of your arms, legs, and face but these insects can also crawl beneath your clothes and bite your back and abdomen.
Almost all bed bug bite results in severe itchiness and a slight burning sensation. People who are allergic to insect bites may have more severe reactions.
The bites may look more enlarged and inflamed. They may also experience hives and blisters around the affected areas. In some cases, if the rash is severe enough, it can develop into popular eruptions or pustules which are filled with fluid. There have been a tiny number of reports of people suffering from breathing problems, slight fever, flu-like symptoms, swollen mouth and tongue, and irregular heartbeats.
Fortunately, these kinds of reactions are extremely rare. People may also find dead bed bugs flattened by their bodies when they turn over during the night or small spots of blood on their clothing form the bite. There may also be reddish brown spots on the bedding that may indicate bed bug droppings.
Interestingly, unlike many other bites, many people may not feel the effects of a bed bug bite for several days. Some people may not notice they have been bitten at all, while others may notice a burning sensation within a few hours of the bite. A bed bug bite can take up to 14 days to appear, according to the Centers for Disease Control. That makes it even more difficult to diagnose as there is no way of knowing if, when, or where you were bitten.
As mentioned above, many people do not feel the bite at all, while some people who are hypersensitive may develop severe reactions. But the vast majority of the population experiences the relatively mild reaction of the welt with a slight burning sensation and itchiness. In this case, the symptoms usually occur a few hours after the bite and can progress over the next few days. The time it takes for a bed bug bite to go away varies from person to person.
Usually, a bed bug bite may take one or two weeks to heal and will not cause any serious, long term issues. With some home remedies or over-the-counter drugs, you can easily speed up the healing process.
Why Do Mosquito Bites Itch? Why Are Mosquitoes Attracted to Me? Residential Services. Commercial Services. Latest Articles. What Attracts Spiders into Your House? October 15, All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Careers at Clegg's. Site By Mark Thomas Media. Request a Free Inspection Now. When eating outside, keep food covered and garbage contained.
Avoid the sweet drinks these insects like. If beverages aren't in a sealed container, look before you sip. Stay calm if you notice a bee, wasp, or yellow jacket nearby. Aggressive movements can lead to stings, because the insect is defending itself. Instead, walk away slowly. Do not jump into water, because bees are known to hover. How to care for a typical bite Clean the wounds with soap and water. Keep them clean until healed to prevent infection.
Use a cold pack or cool cloth to reduce swelling. Use a topical cream or oral antihistamine to reduce itching. When to see a doctor No biting flies in Minnesota are known to transmit disease, though some deer flies in other parts of the world do.
Three ways to prevent fly or gnat bites Avoid the places biting flies are most active: marshy, forested, shaded areas, and areas with dense vegetation. Maintaining your yard can reduce your risk. Because bites occur where skin is exposed, wear pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and a hat. Wear light colors, because biting flies are more attracted to the heat of dark clothing. Insect repellents may protect you from some types of biting flies, but not all.
How to care for a typical bite Mosquito bites typically itch and may cause a degree of redness and swelling in children. To relieve discomfort, consider using: A cold pack or cool cloth A topical anti-itch cream or spray An oral antihistamine When to see a doctor Most mosquito bites go away after a few days without intervention.
Three ways to prevent mosquito bites Remove standing water — a breeding ground for mosquitoes — from around your home. Check after it rains; water may pool in unexpected places. Stay inside at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes bite most. How to care for a typical bite Clean the wound with soap and water.
Keep the wound clean until healed to prevent infection. Use a cold pack to reduce swelling and pain. If the bite is on a leg or arm, rest with the leg or arm elevated. Medications to consider: an antihistamine to keep the swelling isolated, a topical anti-itch cream and an over-the-counter pain reliever.
When to see a doctor Some people have allergic reactions to spider bites. Symptoms of a poisonous spider bite develop within 30 minutes to eight hours and include: Cramping Fever Nausea Severe pain An ulcer at the site of the bite If a spider bite becomes seriously infected, contact your primary care doctor.
Three ways to prevent spider bites Insect repellents on clothes and shoes can keep spiders away. Keep the outside of your home clear of woodpiles and tall grass where spiders like to hide.
Inside, ensure window and door screens are in good repair, seal any cracks where spiders can enter, and vacuum under beds and furniture. When cleaning up areas of the house where spiders may live — including attics, basements, garages and gardens — wear a hat, gloves, long-sleeved shirts, pants, and close-toed shoes.
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