A home is defined by comfort and the air of hospitality. Otherwise, it’s just four walls and a roof which is made of bricks and mortars. In the modern age, homes are designed and built with a lot of amenities to enhance that comfort.
Still, there are many cases where homeowners face pain and discomfort and think of taking drastic measures to ease that pain. One of the prime examples is bed bug bites. Not too common in hot and dry neighborhoods, but these little crawlers can be found in a humid environment.
Too often, we have heard from homeowners who think they have been bitten by bed bugs. Symptoms and remedies are not clear in that case which makes them concerned about their health and their loved ones.
After being rare in the US for a long time, bed bugs have made a comeback in recent times. Once near extinction, they have infested cities and coastal lines across the world with no stop in sight.
These widespread infections have raised concerns and alarms among the masses. In order to keep safe, it is important to understand how these pests affect our well being and how to eradicate them successfully without exposing ourselves to harmful chemicals.
The night hours are the most active time for bed bugs. They feed mostly on the blood of hot-blooded hosts which includes human beings. The main concern here is that their bites are painless because they inject an anesthetic and a blood thinner in the corresponding skin area which makes it numb as they feed.
These little creatures are shrouded in mystery because they work in “shadows”. Nonetheless, they raise bars for their active remediation and education.
Below, we’ll answer the most common questions asked about the bed bug bites:
How To Determine If It’s A Bed Bug Bite?
Though their “operations” are stealth and painless, a bed bug bite can turn into red itchy spots after some time. Constant scratching can turn this scratch into an infection that calls for immediate medical assistance. People experience an amplified skin reaction if they sustain multiple bites in a small skin area. In turn, the skin becomes sensitive in otherwise tough regions like hands, legs, feet, etc.
What Does A Bed Bug Bite Look Like?
Bed bug bites turn into small crimson bumps or welts in a line or in a zigzag pattern, surrounded by small blisters or hives. Usually, they are large pink spots that can cause irritation and inflammation in the surrounding skin area. The key is not to scratch the itchy areas because it would lead to infection.
What Happens When A Bed Bug Bites You?
Bed bug bites are painless because they inject a “local anesthetic solution” inside your body which will numb the skin. That’s why we don’t realize at the time. The bites result in rashes all over the body. Symptoms of secondary infection are more pronounced which includes gradual swelling, warmth, tenderness, and in rare cases, fever.
How Long Does It Take To Realize There Are Bed Bugs Around?
Apart from obvious signs of biting and infection, you can find out whether your house is infested by bed bugs by taking the following things into consideration:
- Uncomfortable Nights
- Marked Arms & Shoulders
- A buggy Bed
- Musty Odor Around Your Bed
Read more about Bed Bugs
