About Bed Bug Bites
Bed bugs are bloodthirsty, tiny critters that will bite their human prey on any part of the body that is exposed to them. Bed bugs are known to feed during nighttime while their host is deep asleep. Bed Bugs make their way along the edge of the exposed skin, leaving their bite marks in rows.
How to Know if it is a Bed Bug Bite
If a person notices bite marks on their body, they should not jump to a conclusion that their home has been infested with bed bugs. In fact, a lot of other insects that look like bed bugs like fleas, mosquitoes, lice, and midges also leave bite marks similar to those of bed bugs.
However, bed bug bites can be differentiated from other insect bites like mosquito bites because bed bug bites come in bunches and are usually in fairly straight lines. Although you may get several mosquito bites in one night, each bite is usually isolated, and not in clusters like bed bug bites. Therefore, if you notice red, itchy bits in clusters and in rows on your skin, you most likely have a bed bug problem and should seek professional help immediately.
Bed Bug Bites Pictures
If you have been wondering what do bedbug bites look like, here are some bed bug bites images, which show the most common bed bug bites symptoms and patterns.
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Reactions to Bed Bug Bites
Each person may have a unique reaction to bed bug bites. Some people may have a mild reaction with no symptoms at all, while others may have a more severe reaction that will be itchy, visible, and sometimes painful. Some reactions might even be delayed by as much as two weeks after the bite, especially if a person has been bitten for the first time. This means that if you noticed bed bug bites on your body, chances are that these bed bugs had plenty of time (weeks or even months) to live in your home and multiply by feeding on your blood.
The Good News About Bed Bug Bites
Before we get into detail about bed bug bites here is the good news about bed bug bites that should help ease the stress associated with bed bugs:
- Bed big bites are not poisonous
- You do not have to see a doctor if you have bed bug bites
- Bed bug bites do not transfer diseases such as aids, fever, malaria, etc.
- Itchiness from bed bug bites can be controlled with anti-itch creams and other over-the-counter medications.
- Our bed bug experts at Bed Bug Exterminator Pro are on call and ready to solve your bed bug problem immediately!
Bed Bug Bite Symptoms
While some people might have no reaction to bed bug bites, most people experience some sort of an allergic reaction. Bed bug symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the bite, the number of bites and the persons skin sensitivity. Normally, when a bed bug bites, it injects some saliva inside the skin. It is the bed bug saliva that can trigger a response from the immune system, thereby causing the region to get itchy, red, and swelled up. Bed bug bites may also be aligned or grouped together in a particular region, mostly along the edge of the exposed skin.
The reaction to the bites can occur instantly, but in rare cases, it might take up to two weeks to show. While bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases, they can cause other physical and psychological discomfort.
The bites are also very itchy if an allergic reaction occurs, producing a sensation of burning in the region where the bite took place (similar to a mosquito bite). Scratching this area may cause further swelling and even bleeding in some cases, so it is advisable to refrain from scratching your skin. Using an anti-itch cream will decrease the itchiness and help get rid of bed bug bite marks quicker. You will not feel anything at the time you are being bitten, since the bed bugs put a little anesthesia in your body before they bite you.
How to Treat Bed Bug Bites?
Bed bugs cannot be categorized as deadly or dangerous. However, they are highly annoying. If a person does have a reaction to the bites, they should treat it immediately with a specific bed bug bites treatment. It normally takes about one to two weeks for the bites to disappear completely. You can aid this process by knowing how to treat bud bugs.
Use an anti itch cream which contains hydrocortisone so that you do not itch on the bite constantly. Also, consider taking an antihistamine like the diphenhydramine (Benadryl), which will help in reducing the burning and itching sensation. Ice packs are a great idea to aid in the numbing of the infected area, thereby reducing the urge of scratching. Applying an antiseptic lotion or cream to the infected area will also help. All of these will make the process of treating bed bugs quicker.
Are Bed Bug Bites Itchy?
One of the most frequent questions a bed bug exterminator gets asked is; are bed bug bites itchy?
Bed bug bites can be itchy depending on whether a person has a reaction to the bite or not. If there is reaction, the intensity of the reaction, the bite, and the frequency of the bite will determine how itchy the bites are.
After some time of being bitten, you might feel a burning sensation on the affected portion of the skin. If you scratch over the bite, there is a potential that a secondary infection can result leading to swelling and even bleeding in some cases.
How Long Do Bed Bug Bites Last?
Bed bug bites usually last from a few days to three weeks, depending on the individual reaction to the bed bug bite, after which they disappear. More server allergic reactions will last longer, but three weeks is usually the longest a bed bug bit will last. However, you should take care not to scratch over the bites and treat the area with anti-itch creams and ice. This usually helps relieve the itchiness and helps prevent scratching, which decreases the chances of rashes and bleeding.
For most of our clients bed bugs cause more of a psychological problem than a physical one. The fact that you do not even get to know when a beg bug is biting you can alone cause a lot of anxiety and fear, inducing insomnia and other sleeping problems. Therefore, as soon as you find out about a bed bug infestation, you should seek professional help from a local bed bug exterminator such as Bed Bug Exterminator Pro. We will quickly and effectively get rid of your bed bugs.
In the majority of cases, trying to exterminate bed bugs by yourself will not work since normal insecticides and herbicides do not work on these pesky little insects. In fact, the use of these repellents might even be dangerous for you, your family, guests and/or your pets. Therefore, you should only rely on a professional when it comes to the extermination of bed bugs.
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Bed Bug Exterminator Pro is a pest control company fully licensed by the ministry of environment. To protect the environment our exterminators engage in only the latest methods of bed bug extermination available and does not use unnecessary pesticides. All our exterminators & bed bug experts receive continual training in bed bug treatments to ensure they leave a minimum impact on our environment.
References
- Health Canada, Pest Management Regulatory Agency, Bed Bugs-Pest Note. Pub: 8195. ISBN: 978-1-100-12303-5 (978-1-100-12304-2) 2009.
- Harlan, H.J. Bed Bugs Importance, Biology, and Control Strategies. Armed Forces Pest Management Board, Technical Guide No. 44. 2006.
- Kells, S.A. Control of Bed Bugs in Residences – Information for Pest Control Companies.
- University of Minnesota Extension Service. 2006. Canadian Edition.
- Myles, T., Brown, B., Bedard, B., Bhooi, R., Bruyere, K., Chua, A., Macsai, M., Menezes, R., Alka Salwan, A., and Takahashi, M., Bed Bugs in Toronto. Centre for Urban and Community Studies, University of Toronto, Research Bulletin #19. 2003.
- Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association Bed bug Resources 2010.
- Pinto, L.J., Cooper, R., and Kraft S.K. Bed Bug Handbook. The Complete Guide to Bed Bugs and Their Control. Pinto & Associates, Inc. Mechanicsville, Maryland: 2008.
- Reinhardt, K., Siva-Jothy, M.T. Biology of the Bed Bugs (Cimicidae). Annual Review of Entomology. 2007. 52:351-374
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