Bug bites: what do they look like and how to treat? What to do if you find bedbug bites?

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Bug bites: what do they look like and how to treat? What to do if you find bedbug bites?
Bug bites: what do they look like and how to treat? What to do if you find bedbug bites?
Anonim

Bug bites can be confused with other insect bites as they are very similar. If this is the first time you have encountered this problem, then it will be difficult for you to determine which insect has left its mark on your skin. After all, the formation of redness, swelling can also be caused by mosquito bites. Therefore, it is very important to know how the traces of bedbugs differ from the wounds left by other insects.

Bug life

These bloodsuckers, which are also called "red coats", feed on the blood of humans and animals at all phases of development. For one "lunch" the bug can drink up to 7 ml of blood, which is twice as much as its own weight. The night hunter needs to replenish his reserves every 5-10 days. To get enough blood, an adult bug can spend up to half an hour. During her life, one female is able to lay 500 eggs. The presence of bedbugs in the room can be determined by the subtle smell of almonds or spoiled raspberries.

What does a bug bite look like?

A bug bite may look different for each person. This is influenced by the body's reaction to the saliva of this insect. Since bedbugs are nocturnal animals, they are active at this time of day, that is, when a person is sleeping. To be more precise, the “red coats” hunt, as a rule, from two to five in the morning. But during the day they are not visible, because they scatter through the cracks and cracks of walls and furniture. As a rule, bedbugs are located in places with close access to people. Although these insects move very quickly and can travel long distances.

Because bed bugs can't do their nefarious work through clothes, exposed areas of the body usually get hurt. As a rule, a path of insect bites appears on them, which are located at a distance of 2 cm from each other. This indicates that the bloodsucker was looking for a suitable place to feast on. This is what these bug bites look like (photo below).

Who is susceptible to bed bug bites?

Most often, women with children become their victims due to the fact that it is easier for insects to bite through their skin. And besides, in these categories of persons, blood vessels are located closer to the surface of the skin. An important point is that bloodsuckers are repelled by strong odors, alcohol and tobacco smoke.

bedbug bites
bedbug bites

Symptoms of bed bug bites

Very often, bed bug marks on the body are confused with wounds from other insects, since they are almost identical, and it is not always easy to distinguish between them. But if you know about the symptoms that appear after the bites from these bloodsuckers, then they will not be difficult to recognize.

Some people may not feel the bites themselves, but just see small red dots on their skin. But mostly bedbug bites are actively manifesting themselves. This happens some time after the insect leaves its mark. And this is due to the fact that it secretes saliva, which in its composition contains anticoagulants that prevent blood clotting when the bug is saturated, and painkillers.

In general, the symptoms of a bite can be as follows:

  • redness on the skin;
  • small scars;
  • swelling at the site of injury;
  • constant sneezing;
  • severe (sometimes just unbearable) itching;
  • runny nose.

First signs of bites

Bug bite marks can be characterized by primary symptoms such as the appearance of many small, flat or swollen scars, usually appearing in a cluster or linear system. After all, this insect tends to eat several times in the same place.

bedbug bites photo
bedbug bites photo

Following signs of bites

The next symptom indicating the presence of bloodsuckers in your home is the growth of the affected area. After all, every night your body will be bitten. In addition, other signs may appear, such as blood stains (very tiny) on the sheet or bed parts.

How long do bite marks last?

Depending on individual characteristics, bedbug bites (photo below) can cause a different reaction. As a rule, traces of bedbugs appear after a few hours. But it also happens that a rash appears on the skin after a few days or even a week later. Usually, the bite site of a bloodsucker is clearly visible for two or three days, and then the traces begin to slowly fade away. But if the human body is prone to allergic reactions, then the rash can remain much longer. People with this reaction very often need medical intervention to completely heal the rash.

bedbug bites how to treat
bedbug bites how to treat

Effects of bites

Many are wondering about the dangers of bedbug bites. To date, scientists have not been able to prove that bed bloodsuckers are able to carry diseases. But triatomine bugs, which are their close relatives, carry the dreaded Chagas disease. But we are lucky that we do not live in South America, since this species of insect lives exclusively there. However, bed bugs can carry organisms that cause various diseases. Another danger of the bites of these insects lies, as mentioned earlier, in the possibility of an allergic reaction, which can be dangerous to human he alth and life.

Bug bites: how to treat?

Damaged areas of the skin must be treated. The least that can be done in this case is to treat the bite with alcohol or soapy water to prevent suppuration, which is much more unpleasant than itching. Unfortunately, despite the rapid development of medicine, there are still no means to prevent skin damage by bed bloodsuckers. But, after treating the bites of bedbugs, you can apply a special ointment to the affected area. It can be purchased at a pharmacy. If you have to share your house with such unpleasant neighbors, then you will need such a tool more than once. There is a special cream that can be used if bedbug bites itch. It will soften the discomfort and relieve irritation. Another remedy that can be used in this case is a universal patch for the bites of all insects.

how to get rid of bed bug bites
how to get rid of bed bug bites

Other medicines may also be suitable. For example, creams with a local antiseptic, edema relievers, antihistamines that reduce an allergic reaction. And there is nothing easier than the use of brilliant green. Although maybe not everyone welcomes her, because of the not very aesthetic appearance. But still, it's better to treat the wound.

Bite Allergy

As a rule, an allergy to bedbug bites disappears after two or three days. If itching is very disturbing, then it can be removed independently with the help of antihistamines (for example, Diazolin, Suprastin). If the bite mark does not go away for a long time, and white, green, yellow mucus appears in its place, this indicates an infection. The patient should urgently contact a medical institution for help.

Folk remedies for bites

How to treat bed bug bites with folk remedies? Humanity has been looking for answers to this question for many centuries. And yet, some methods are already known. To eliminate discomfort, you can apply ice or a piece of frozen meat. Rubbing the skin with a mixture of vinegar and soap also helps. Another remedy for bed bug bites is a compress of strong green (black) tea. As mentioned earlier, you need to disinfect the wound with alcohol, and this should be done several times a day and it is desirable that the time intervals between treatments be the same.

bedbug bite marks
bedbug bite marks

How to get rid of bedbug bites? The problem that has arisen can be solved with the help of herbal lotions. In this case, St. John's wort will be the most effective (one spoon of grass is brewed with a glass of boiling water). In addition to all of the above, you can try to smear damaged areas with plantain or aloe juice. Swelling and itching are well removed with a concentrated soda solution. It is also recommended to take activated charcoal daily, at least 5 tablets.

How to avoid being bitten?

It is important to think not about what consequences may arise due to an insect bite, but about what to do to avoid them. Therefore, it is better to get rid of the bed bug in time so that you do not have to feel their presence in the house.

So, as a rule, the most common places for bedbugs are folds of clothes, crevices, various objects. Even after returning from a trip, a person can bring such an unpleasant gift home with him in his pocket or suitcase. It should be noted that these parasites are tenacious, without food they can exist for about a year. That is why, if you have visited dubious places, when you come home, wash clothes and all bedding in hot water. If the fabric of all these things allows, then it is even better to boil them.

Among folk remedies for combating bed bugs, such as wormwood infusion, turpentine, kerosene, green soap are known. But, unfortunately, such methods of dealing with insects are poorly effective. Therefore, it is better to entrust this matter to professionals and use them to disinfect the house. A distinctive feature of modern remedies is that they kill bedbugs, and do not scare them away, like folk remedies. When the treatment is carried out, you need to thoroughly vacuum the entire room in order to collect the eggs that the bloodsuckers managed to lay. Of those that remain in inaccessible places, young individuals will hatch, but they should die in a day from the action of pesticides.

allergy to bed bug bites
allergy to bed bug bites

Many people know that bedbug bites cause considerable discomfort. And if you decide not to turn to the help of specialists yet, but to fight insects with your own efforts, then there is another way to influence bedbugs. We are talking about low temperatures. What should be done? It is necessary to take out the furniture (if possible, all) and books for 1.5-2 hours in a twenty-degree frost. If the bugs reappear, then the procedure is repeated.

Preparing the room for disinfection

Still, it is better to turn to professionals when bedbugs appear. In the process of disinfection, they use modern means that always give a positive result. In addition, only specialists have the necessary experience in the destruction of bedbugs with the help of chemicals. But before the arrival of the disinfector, the apartment should be prepared for processing. What is meant? It is necessary to do wet cleaning, since all chemicals are absorbed into the dust, falling on it, that is, they are wasted. In addition, wet cleaning is not recommended for 2-3 days after treatment. It is also necessary to take out all personal hygiene items, dishes, food, aquariums, etc. from the room so that the toxic substance does not get on them. In advance, you need to provide the master with access to the existing technical spaces, mezzanines and storage rooms, and pre-disassemble the blockages. Bed linen must be removed from all sleeping places. It is recommended to boil it to destroy the eggs that may be in the folds. As for furniture, it is better not to move the sofas away, and not to remove the cabinets from the hinges.

what does a bug bite look like
what does a bug bite look like

Otherwise, you can spread insects throughout the house, apartment. The master will make the rearrangement himself if necessary. These are very important points that need to be taken seriously. Otherwise, either harm will be done to he alth, or disinfection will not be as successful as we would like. To increase the effectiveness of the destruction of bed bugs, it is advisable for neighbors to also disinfect.

What to do after disinfection?

If the treatment has already been done, then it is necessary to ventilate the room, wipe all the furniture. Perhaps they got the emulsion used by specialists. But it is recommended not to wash the floors for 2-3 days, and the walls, skirting boards, ceilings - if possible even longer. There is no need to be scared if, some time after disinfection, you find an insect in the treated room. Those bugs that remained alive after treatment, and those that hatched from eggs, the ripening period of which is 30-40 days, will die in contact with the treated surfaces. They will completely disappear in about a month.

Finally, I would like to say that the appearance of bed bugs in your home should be taken very seriously. It is better to solve the problem at the initial stage and not start the situation that has arisen.

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