Bedbug bites

Bedbugs may appear in private homes and old apartment buildings with wooden floors that have not undergone major repairs. The bites of these parasites are painful and cause intense itching that can interfere with sleep. Scratching bites can damage the skin and cause secondary infection. In addition, some people may have allergic reactions to bedbug bites. This problem is relevant at any time of the year, but in the cold season, when people spend more time at home, the risk of encountering bedbugs increases.

Unique features of parasites

The bed bug (Cimex lectularius) is a small, flat, and nocturnal parasite that feeds on human blood. It is widely distributed and can live in various places, such as hotels, shelters, hostels and old apartment buildings with wooden floors without major repairs. These insects hide in mattresses, as well as in other dry and warm shelters, including dressers, cracks in walls, window frames, carpets and other secluded places.

Bedbug bites

Bedbugs are domestic parasites that prefer to live in warm conditions. To survive, they need the blood of humans or other warm-blooded animals.

Bedbugs often hide in underwear, folds of upholstered furniture, and in the cracks between interior details. Their bites resemble those of mosquitoes—small swellings that are pink or reddish and sometimes itchy.

Bedbugs are not always easy to detect, as they are active mainly at night. Bites are almost painless and are often mistaken for mosquito bites, even in winter. Mosquitoes can live in warm and damp basements and enter apartments through ventilation holes.

You can distinguish bedbug bites from mosquitoes by the characteristic chains. They usually occur in a three-bite lineage, and there may be more than one in the same area of skin. This technique is also used to distinguish between bedbug bites and manifestations of contact or food allergies.

Mass bedbug bites can not only cause discomfort, but also negatively affect health. They can cause poor sleep, neurosis, anemia in children, and allergic reactions such as headaches, fever, and general distress.

For the effective destruction of bedbugs, it is recommended to contact specialized services for the control of domestic insects.

Treatment of Bites

Treatment of bites requires consideration of the type of bite, the aggressor’s state of health, and the physiologic characteristics of the victim. It may include antiseptic treatments, use of antihistamines, or require surgery, infection and intoxication control, as well as resuscitation.

What to do when itching from a bite

Itching that develops after an insect bite is often a local reaction to foreign proteins in the saliva.
Topical antihistamines such as phenystil gel may be used to reduce itching and swelling. Antihistamines taken by mouth, such as Zyrtec, Suprastin, Fenistil may be needed if people have had many bites or a severe reaction.

Risk of infection and allergic reactions

Reactions to bedbug bites vary greatly from person to person. Some may not feel pain at all, and others experience mild or severe itching and allergic reactions.

Bedbugs do not transmit serious infections, so their bites do not pose a significant health threat but can cause discomfort. Itching may interfere with sleep. In severe cases, multiple bites can cause infection, with suppuration, sores, and crusts that may leave tiny scars on the skin.

How to prevent bedbug bites

Bedbugs are small insects that can hide in hard-to-reach places. Their eggs are even smaller, so it can be difficult to find the bugs themselves and their hideouts. Signs of bedbugs may include tiny blood stains on mattresses, furniture upholstery, and bed linens, as well as rusty or dark fecal deposits and discarded exoskeletons on bedding. Occasionally, infection can be guessed by a specific sweet and musty odor.

To avoid contact with bedbugs, it is important to take the following precautions:

Before going to bed, check bed linen and mattresses, especially if you are traveling or staying in hotels. Keep your things away from the beds.

Avoid buying used upholstered furniture, mattresses and featherbeds. If you use such items, thoroughly clean them before using. Steam treatment can be used, and clothes and upholstery can be washed and cleaned regularly to kill off possible bedbugs.

If you find bedbugs in the house, especially if there are children, it is better to turn to professionals. Many insecticides can be dangerous to the health of the child, so it is better to entrust the treatment to specialists.

Regular cleaning, maintaining order in the house and monitoring the condition of bedding will help protect against bedbug bites.