Are Bed Bugs Harmful to my Health?

Bed bugs are some of the most unwanted pests around. They can pervade your home and make it an uncomfortable place to live. But are they actually harmful? Can they hurt you and your family? The answer isn’t as straightforward as a simple “yes” or “no.”

Bed Bugs Bite

Bed bugs are a nuisance in part because they bite and do so in places where you just want to relax. These bites can cause red bumps and welts on your skin, which usually appear within a few days of an attack. These bite marks look similar to those from mosquitos, but they last much longer. There have been reported cases of people having allergic reactions to bed bug bites, some of which are very severe. In most cases, however, the bites are not dangerous in and of themselves. Sometimes it takes longer for these symptoms to develop, but the fact remains that when they do, they tend to cause severe and prolonged itching. When something itches, we all scratch. That’s where the danger can set in.

All of that scratching eventually causes damage to the skin. When your skin becomes damaged, you open yourself up to allowing more infectious organisms to enter your body. These infections can range from relatively mild to very dangerous. That’s why it’s important to refrain from scratching any bite as much as you physically can. If you have persistent irritation or other indications of an infection, seek out a doctor immediately.

Interestingly enough, bed bugs as a species have not been found to carry diseases that are transmittable through bites. So, while you can get sick from a bed bug-related incident, you won’t necessarily get sick from bed bugs themselves.

Bed Bugs and Mental Health

While the presence of bed bugs might not be the sole cause of disease, that doesn’t mean an infestation isn’t harmful in other ways. Knowing that bed bugs are in your home can take a toll on your mental health. People have reported heightened levels of anxiety during an infestation. This anxiety can lead to physical symptoms that negatively impact your quality of life. One of the most reported symptoms is insomnia, which can wreak havoc on your daily routine. If you fear you have a bed bug infestation on your property, don’t delay. Contact Pest Control Solutions Inc. today for help with home pest control and commercial pest control services, including comprehensive bed bug control!