Bed bugs are tiny brown insects that survive by sucking blood from humans and animals. They are usually about the size of an apple seed but can grow bigger as their body swells from sucking blood.
Although bed bugs can not fly, they can move significantly quickly across surfaces and hide in small compartments where they are almost invisible to a human eye. Although they don’t carry or transmit any diseases, they can be a nuisance and may lead to skin irritation
How Harmful Are Bed Bugs For Humans
Bed bugs have been around for a very long time. While they may pose some health risks to your overall health, they are not as harmful when it comes to causing serious health complications. Below are some of the harmful consequences of bed bug infestation in your home.
Allergic Reactions
Researchers have found that bed bugs can cause serious allergic reactions for some people. While they may only result in red bumps and discomfort for some people, others can develop serious reactions.
They include:
- Severe itching
- Painful swelling of the skin
- Fevers and symptoms similar to flu
- Blisters and hives
These reactions are triggered by chemicals in the saliva of bed bugs. One of the reasons for this reaction could be the use of anaesthetic chemicals that bed bug use when they bite. Treating bed bug bites is essential to reduce the risk of developing serious complications.
Excessive Scratching
Whenever bed bugs bite, it results in excessive scratching on the skin. While the extent of scratching depends on the skin type, it is surely not a comfortable experience. The excessive scratching may cause severe damage to the skin as the skin breaks. This often leads to scarring or even skin infections. In most cases, people end up needing bed bug professional treatment.
Psychological Damage
Surely, no one likes the idea of getting bitten by blood-thirsty bed bugs. Getting bitten every night can cause psychological distress as the person dreads going to sleep. Even the thought of these insects running over your skin can trigger disgust. This can develop into PTSD and other psychological symptoms such as depression.
Some of the other issues may include:
- Trauma
- Insomnia due to lack of sleep
- Anxiety and nightmares
- Personal dysfunction.
To avoid these issues, you will need affordable bed bug extermination services.