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Bed bugs survive by feeding on blood. They are quite common in the United States and have been a dilemma even back in the day. Not only are they capable of sucking blood out of you, but including your life and the ability to enjoy it with ease. Hence, leaving us the question—since they feed from our blood, do they spread diseases to it?

While it has been widely assumed that bedbugs aren’t as dangerous as ticks or mosquitoes per say that can contract lyme disease or malaria and dengue, we will tell you that bed bugs are not to be taken for granted.

Can bed bugs make you manic?

In a normal scenario, if you are bitten by bedbugs, you will notice small red bumps on your skin which can directly escalate to a minor or serious skin irritation and inflammation. Another thing will be the restlessness and discomfort caused by itching from these bites.

Stephanie Davio (2010) strongly emphasized that there is no need to be alarmed when your home gets infested by bed bugs as their bites only bring you itching, inflammation, and possible allergic reactions, treated by using medications like cream, ointments and antihistamines. The danger comes when you, out of panic, resort to spray toxic pesticides or when you scratch your skin excessively and acquire an infection. In most cases with the American household, it is NOT the bug that is dangerous but the actions we tend to take after being bitten by it.

In addition, one article claimed that bed bugs could trigger mental illness among humans. Scientists discovered that certain individuals, during their encounter with bed bugs, suffer from severe depression and anxiety as a result of stress arising from paranoia and lack of sleep. In worse case scenarios, bed bug victims would even develop a mental disorder in the long run.

Bed bugs affect people negatively, so much that, according to Robert M. Jarvis (2009), a dozen cases had been reported back in the 19th century regarding tenants and guests that sue their hotels and inns who acquired bed bugs from their stay

How do bed bugs spread diseases?

Although, what people also need to watch out for is that bed bugs do spread parasites. In a certain study, bedbugs are found to transmit in particular the T. cruzi parasite, which causes a deadly disease called Chagas disease.

Chagas disease is diagnosed by blood tests. If you are found to have Chagas disease, you should have a heart tracing test (electrocardiogram), even if you feel fine. You might be referred to a specialist for more tests and for treatment.

How do people get Chagas disease from bed bugs?

People can become infected in several ways. In areas where Chagas disease is common, the main way is through vector borne transmission from bed bugs and triatomine bugs or “kissing bugs” that are infected with T. cruzi. Once infected, the bugs pass the parasites in their feces. The bugs are found in houses made from materials such as mud, adobe, straw, and palm thatch. During the day, the bugs hide in crevices in the walls and roofs. During the night, when the inhabitants are sleeping, the bugs emerge. The unsuspecting, sleeping person may accidentally scratch or rub the feces into the bite wound, eyes, or mouth.

Get rid of bed bugs now!

If you think that bed bugs are to be taken for granted, you must not take bed bug infestation and pest control for granted. Once you detect the presence of bed bugs inside your home, you need to take measures immediately to make sure that everything is still under control and won’t go nuts in no time. However, using chemical control is not the best idea as they can also be toxic to humans.

In conclusion, bed bugs can be a real deal and become real suckers. Not only do they make you itch like crazy, but they can make you completely insane from high stress levels and lack of sleep. To make it worse, some could be a vector of Chagas disease that can possibly make you very ill. Don’t be afraid of the social stigma of having bed bugs as it is always wise to step up and get you and your household a permanent solution by calling your pest control professionals to perform one-time Heat Treatment to your home. This way, you can get rid of the risks of acquiring the toxic chemicals, health and safety hazards brought by bed bugs, and get a pest-free living condition.

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