Click Free Pest Control Quote
to fill in a form to obtain a free pest control quote today.
Donna Johnson is a writer from Louisville, Ky. Her articles have appeared on several websites since 2009, including Edubook.com. Her areas of expertise include parenting, crafting, and home improvement. Prior to becoming a writer, Johnson had more than 10 years of experience in home improvement retail.
Until recent years, bed bugs were no longer considered much of a problem in the U.S. -- and the saying "Don't let the bed bugs bite" was just an old-fashioned phrase whose meaning was almost forgotten -- but then bed bugs made a comeback. The bed bug, or Cimex lectularius, gets its nickname from the fact that it often makes its home in people's beds. Although bed bugs bite and feed on human blood, according to research published in JAMA in 2009, they are not known transmit blood-borne diseases, including HIV or the hepatitis B virus. However, they do pose other dangers to people. If you suspect you have bed bugs, see your doctor for advice and treatment.
The Michigan Department of Community Health notes that the physical manifestations of bed bug bites can vary widely. You may not even notice bed bug bites at all. If you do notice bites, you may dismiss them as mosquito bites because the localized redness and swelling may look much like that the mosquito leaves behind. However, if you are sensitive to insect bites of any kind, you may experience an allergic reaction to bed bug bites. This allergic reaction can be mild, only causing itching, skin reddening and irritation. More severe allergic reactions are possible and may require you to treat them with anti-itch ointments or oral corticosteroids and antihistamines.
Bedbug bites alone do not cause infection. However, if you are unable to avoid scratching the bites, infection may result. Scratching bedbug bites can cause openings or breaks in the skin. Bacteria can enter through these breaks and begin to multiply, leading to infection. Your doctor can prescribe creams to apply directly to the bites to prevent infection or advise you to use over-the-counter antiseptic ointments instead.
If you or a member of your household suffers from respiratory problems, the presence of bedbugs can worsen these conditions. Bed bugs shed their outer skins, or casings, as they grow. These casings, along with the bed bugs' feces, can dry out and become airborne. The Rhode Island Department of Health warns that breathing the cast-off material from bed bugs can aggravate asthma and other respiratory ailments.
A case study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal in 2009 describes the case of a 60-year-old man who presented to his doctor with symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia. The patient had no physical causes of this anemia but upon examination of his home, the patient's doctor found an infestation of thousands of bed bugs. Although most people with bed bug bites are unlikely to suffer anemia as a result, it could occur in extreme cases, especially if you have other risk factors for anemia.
Lose Weight. Feel Great! Change your life with MyPlate by LIVESTRONG.COM
See the article here:
What Are the Dangers of Bed Bugs? | LIVESTRONG.COM
- New England Pest Control Co, Providence, RI - September 5th, 2011 [September 5th, 2011]
- How to Prepare for Your EHS Bed Bug Treatment! - September 6th, 2011 [September 6th, 2011]
- How do people get bed bugs? North Shore MA - September 7th, 2011 [September 7th, 2011]
- Bedbugs on the move - September 8th, 2011 [September 8th, 2011]
- Hiding under bedframe - September 9th, 2011 [September 9th, 2011]
- Bedbug Infested Box Spring - September 15th, 2011 [September 15th, 2011]
- EHS: Not THAT kind of Pest... Bad Drivers... - September 27th, 2011 [September 27th, 2011]
- BED BUG OR NOT..... - Video - October 15th, 2011 [October 15th, 2011]
- First Choice Pest Control - Exterminator in Providence, RI - Video - October 27th, 2011 [October 27th, 2011]
- Dave Spicer of Griggs - November 15th, 2011 [November 15th, 2011]
- How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs - How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs using Steam - Video - December 8th, 2011 [December 8th, 2011]
- James and Bella - Video - January 14th, 2012 [January 14th, 2012]
- Rhode Show Rewind: 38 Studios, Motorcycle Safety, Miss. RI - Video - June 2nd, 2012 [June 2nd, 2012]
- Bed Bugs: Rhode Island Department of Health - November 3rd, 2013 [November 3rd, 2013]
- Cobra Pest Control Rhode Island: Termites, Bed Bugs, Bats, Mice ... - November 3rd, 2013 [November 3rd, 2013]
- Rhode Island Bed Bugs - Cobra Pest Control Inc. - November 18th, 2013 [November 18th, 2013]
- Bed Bug Registry Database Rhode Island, Usa, National Bed Bug ... - November 18th, 2013 [November 18th, 2013]
- Cobra Pest Control Rhode Island: Termites, Bed Bugs, Bats ... - November 19th, 2013 [November 19th, 2013]
- Bed Bug Report for Hotel Helix, Washington, DC - December 16th, 2013 [December 16th, 2013]
- Rhode Island Bed Bugs – Cobra Pest Control Inc. - January 16th, 2014 [January 16th, 2014]
- Bed Bugs in Rhode Island | RI Bedbug Exterminator - January 27th, 2014 [January 27th, 2014]
- Big Blue Bug - Bed Bug Control | CT, MA, RI Bed Bug Control - January 28th, 2014 [January 28th, 2014]
- Rhode Island Bed Bugs Cobra Pest Control Inc. - January 31st, 2014 [January 31st, 2014]
- Bed Bug Pest Control - March 13th, 2014 [March 13th, 2014]
- Bed Bug Pest Control - RI & MA Exterminator - April 13th, 2014 [April 13th, 2014]
- Rhode Island Bed Bug Control Services: RI Bed Bug Exterminator - April 13th, 2014 [April 13th, 2014]
- Bed Bug Treatment Rhode IslandBed Bugs And Beyond - May 7th, 2014 [May 7th, 2014]
- Big Blue Bug Bed Bug Control | CT, MA, RI Bed Bug Control - May 18th, 2014 [May 18th, 2014]
- Rising New England MMA Fighter Begins Training Against His Toughest Opponent - Bed Bugs!! - September 26th, 2014 [September 26th, 2014]
- CleanRest Pro Waterproof, Allergy & Bed Bug Blocking ... - December 1st, 2014 [December 1st, 2014]
- Bed Bug Report for Hyatt Regency Newport, Newport, RI - December 17th, 2014 [December 17th, 2014]
- Bed Bug Control Rhode Island (RI), Mass, CT | Debug Pest ... - January 5th, 2015 [January 5th, 2015]
- Pest Control RI, Rhode Island: Termites, Bed Bugs ... - December 25th, 2016 [December 25th, 2016]
- Northern Plaza residents report infestation of bed bugs, mice - Valley Breeze - March 1st, 2017 [March 1st, 2017]
- Bed Bug Removal Rhode Island (RI) | Debug - March 10th, 2017 [March 10th, 2017]
- Long Island City NY Bed bug Hotel and Apartment Reports - August 22nd, 2018 [August 22nd, 2018]
- Rhode Island Bed Bug Treatment - March 31st, 2019 [March 31st, 2019]
- Rhode Island Bed Bug Hotel and Apartment Reports ... - July 18th, 2020 [July 18th, 2020]
- Bed Bugs: Department of Health - Rhode Island - October 21st, 2020 [October 21st, 2020]
Click Free Exterminator Quote
to fill in a form to obtain a free exterminator quote today.