Diseases Caused by Bed Bugs

While bed bugs were once eradicated in several parts of the world, they are becoming increasingly more common. Besides being a nuisance, bed bugs can potentially cause medical problems. They do not carry any bacteria or viruses when they travel from one human to another. But they do cause diseases in the form of allergic reactions, anaphylactic shock and infections caused by scratching.

Allergic Reactions

Residents of households that have bed bugs sometimes develop red bumps on their skin. Only those who are hypersensitive to bed bug bites will show a sign of an allergic reaction, with most other people not even noticing the bites. For those who do suffer from allergic reactions, the bed bug marks can sometimes be difficult to identify. These marks will appear on any part of the body that is exposed. Some doctors confuse bed bugs for rashes, mosquito bites and other skin disorders.

One way to identify them is see if the bites occur in a line. Those bites that look like mosquito bites usually last longer than that of a mosquito. Rashes that happen periodically are also likely bed bug bites because the bed bugs feed on a monthly cycle. Those who have been bitten by bed bugs will find that they can be irritated by chlorine, water and other substances and can develop blisters as a result. Some of the bites become swollen and will become filled with pus.

Anaphylactic Shock

In very severe cases, the bed bug bites can cause the disease called anaphylactic shock. When the body detects a foreign invader such as the saliva of a bed bug bite, the human immune system will send a large number of chemicals through the body that can send the sufferer into shock. An injection of epinephrine delivered by the emergency room will reverse these symptoms. However, those who do not have this condition treated immediately can fall unconscious and even die. Those who experience anaphylactic shock often feel a feeling of warmth, a lump in their throat, a weak pulse and nausea. If these symptoms occur, the patient must visit the emergency room and stay even after the epinephrine injection to make sure that the symptoms do not return.

Staph Infections

Bed bug bites can lead to itching, which can lead to scratching. Those who scratch their itches too vigorously can develop infections, including staph infection. This infection is common for those who come in contact with others who also have a staph infection. Staph can lead to boils, skin abscesses, cellulitis, and skin crusts. Severe skin infections should be treated by a medical professional with antibiotics and a properly dressed wound. Then, the wound will heal on its own in 2 to 3 days.

Bed Bug Treatment

The only way to prevent the diseases spread by bed bugs is to end a bed bug infestation. Doing so can be very difficult without the right pesticide treatments. Since the most effective pest control treatments in Dubai must be carried out carefully, the best way to identify and get rid of a bed bug infestation is through Akkad pest control services.