Bug Bite
Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite!
Bed bugs have been making headlines in recent years as they’ve made their presence known from dorm rooms to five star resort hotels. Bed bugs are small non-flying parasitic insects that feed on the blood of people and animals while they sleep. Flat and oval shaped, they are about the size of an apple seed.
Bed bugs are found all over the world and are more prevalent in underdeveloped countries. They have migrated to the U.S. in recent years, and according to the Centers For Disease Control, their presence is not determined by the cleanliness of the living conditions where they are found. Bed bugs are carried unknowingly on furniture, luggage and other materials, so infestations are more severe in motels, apartments and areas where there is a high amount of human traffic.
Mostly found close to areas where people sleep, bed bugs are transported from place to place as people travel and they are experts at hiding during the day in seams of mattresses and any cracks or crevices close to beds. Bed bugs are most active at night.
What are the health risks from bed bugs?
Fortunately, bed bugs do not transmit diseases, however their bites can cause itching, insomnia and anxiety. In severe cases scratching excessively can lead to a secondary skin infection that requires antibiotics. Some people can have an allergic reaction to Bed Bug bites that require medical attention. People who travel frequently or who share living and sleeping areas where other people have recently slept are at a higher risk of being bitten or spreading bed bugs.
How do you know if you’ve been bitten by a bed bug?
Bed bugs generally leave bite marks on the face, hands, neck and arms while people are sleeping. When bed bugs bite, they inject an anesthetic and anticoagulant that prevents a person from realizing that they have been bitten, and often bite marks can take up to 14 days to develop. The bite marks are similar to a Mosquito bite and leave a slightly red and swollen area that can feel itchy.
Getting Rid Of Bed Bugs
Removing bed bugs is not an easy process, and if a mattress has been infested it usually needs to be throw away. Washing bedding in hot water can usually kill the bugs, and placing plastic coverings around mattresses and pillows can prevent infestations. Often a professional pest control company is the only way to get rid of a Bed Bug Infestation.
Bed Bug Bites are painless and usually, no treatment is required, however steroid creams and antihistamines can help relieve symptoms. An infection that develops from excessive scratching may require antibiotics. To find a doctor near you or to check symptoms of bug bites, download the free iTriage app from the app stores.
About the Author
For more health alerts and medical advice, visit our health blog.
unknown bug bite
|
|
Bed Bug Mattress Cover No Bite BedBug Control 9″ Queen $69.99 |
|
|
Bed Bug Mattress Cover No Bite BedBug Control 10″ King $79.99 |
|
|
Bed Bug Mattress Cover No Bite BedBug Control 10″ Queen $69.99 |
|
|
Bed Bug Mattress Cover No Bite BedBug Control 9″ King $79.99 |
|
|
3 Tube StingEze Insect Bug Bite Relief w Aloe For Kids $5.99 |
|
|
Bug Bite Ointment – .26 oz $7.36 |
|
|
Pro Bed Bug Mattress Cover BedBug Bite Proof 9″ FULL $64.99 |
|
|
Old Navy Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite PJ’S $0.99 |
|
|
Bed Bug Mattress Cover No Bite BedBug Control 10″ Twin $49.99 |
|
|
Pro Bed Bug Mattress Cover BedBug Bite Proof 9″ Twin XL Mattress Encasement $49.99 |
|
|
Don’t Let The Bed Bugs Bite SWAPS Craft Supply Kit #087 $5.40 |
|
|
Bed Bug Mattress Cover BedBug Bite Proof 9″ Cal King $79.99 |
|
|
FIGHTING SPIDER 5″x7″ – Arachnid Insect Bug Fangs Bite – Photo by Marcy Reiford $6.00 |
|
|
Pro Bed Bug Mattress Cover BedBug Bite Proof 10″ FULL BedBug Mattress Encasement $64.99 |
|
|
Pro Bed Bug Mattress Cover BedBug Bite Proof 9″ FULL XL $64.99 |
|
|
Pro Bed Bug Mattress Cover BedBug Bite Proof 10″ Full XL $64.99 |
|
|
Bed Bug Mattress Cover No Bite BedBug Control 10″ FULL $64.99 |
|
|
Goodnight Moon & Stars Don’t Let The Bed Bugs Bite Reversible Tapestry Pillow $9.99 |
|
|
BURTS BEES OUTDOOR BUG BITE RELIEF $5.19 |
|
|
Mosquito Bug bite patch relieve itching Pocket Zapper $11.19 |
|
|
Mosquito Bug bite patch relieve itching Pocket Zapper $11.19 |
|
|
Mosquito Bug bite patch relieve itching Pocket Zapper $9.99 |
|
|
Relieve Itching Itch Go Mosquito Bug Bite Pocket Zapper $6.29 |
|
|
Pro Bed Bug Mattress Cover BedBug Bite Proof 10″ Queen $69.99 |
|
|
CARTER’S DON’T LET THE BUGS BITE CRIB SHEET BEES NIP! $14.99 |
|
|
Burt’s Bees Outdoor Mixed Lot: Poison Ivy Soap, Bug Bite Relief, Res-Q Ointment $16.99 |
|
|
Bed Bug Mattress Protector BedBug Bite Proof CRIB SIZE $39.99 |
|
|
After Bug Bite Patch patch remedies for mosquito bites $4.99 |
|
|
The Love Bug Will Bite You Pinky Tomlin Sheet Music ’37 $2.50 |
|
|
Relieve Itching Itch Go Mosquito Bug Bite Pocket Zapper $6.10 |
|
|
HEAR- Rare Northern Soul 45- The Mod Squad- The Love Bug WIll Bite You- Gordons $29.99 |
|
|
Shiny yellow leaf with a bug bite out of it, earrings on surgical steel hooks $2.35 |
|
|
14k gold vintage DON’T LET THE BED BUGS BITE charm $327.00 |
|
|
Bug Bite Ointment .26 oz, Hylands, Bites & Stings $9.47 |
|
|
Baby Crib Bed Bug Bite Proof Mattress Cover Fits 6″- 9″ $39.99 |
|
|
78RPM Victor Guy Lombardo The Love Bug… Bite You $9.99 |
|
|
Bed Bug Mattress Cover No Bite BedBug Control 9″ FULL $64.99 |
|
|
The Bite of the Gold Bug: A Story of the Alaskan Gold R $3.50 |
|
|
MOSQUITO BUG BEE BITE INSECT MESH FACE HAT OLIVE S/M $9.95 |
|
|
MOSQUITO BUG BEE BITE INSECT MESH FACE HAT KHAKI L/XL $9.95 |
|
|
MOSQUITO BUG BEE BITE INSECT MESH FACE HAT KHAKI S/M $9.95 |
|
|
vintage SUPER GO BOTS gobots BUG BITE $10.00 |
|
|
Vintage 80s Gobots Go Bots cop-tur bug bite tank weapons accessories LOT $9.99 |
|
|
Don’t Let the Bad Bugs Bite (Flying Foxes),Lindsey Gar $8.36 |
|
|
Throw Pillow “Goodnight” With moon and stars; “Don’t let the bed bugs bite” $1.99 |
|
|
Vintage Sheet Music 1937 THe Love Bug Will Bite You $3.00 |
|
|
★BEE B01 Beetle-Robot Bumblebee Bugbite G1 Transformers $0.99 |
|
|
★BEE B02 Beetle-Robot Bumblebee Bugbite G1 Transformers $0.99 |
|
|
BANDAI – GOBOTS – BUG BITE – BEETLE CAR – TRANSFORMERS $13.99 |
|
|
Pretty FASHION BUG Longer Length Tee w/Shark Bite Hem-Size 2X-NEW $12.99 |
|
|
83′-84′ BANDAI GOBOTS BUG BITE BEETLE CAR TRANSFORMERS $24.99 |
|
|
Lot of 5,The Bite of the Gold Bug,Barthe Declements, PB $3.50 |
|
|
LOVE BUG WILL BITE YOU sheet music PINKY TOMLIN (1937) $4.99 |
|
|
BIG BITE 6″ SQUIRREL TAIL WORM, J-BUG RED FLAKE, 1120 $3.99 |
|
|
NEW Why Does This Bug Bite Itch? – Parker, Steve $27.11 |
|
|
NEW Why Does This Bug Bite Itch? – Parker, Steve $5.99 |
|
|
NEW The Bite of the Gold Bug – Declements, Barthe/ Andr $5.99 |
|
|
Bed Bug bite kill remove control treatment remedy spray $3.49 |
|
|
ClimbUp Insect Interceptors Bed Bug Trap Stops BedBugs Before They Bite- 4 pack $19.99 |
|
|
TEA TREE OIL 1/2 OZ BLEND TREAT ALL BED BUG BITE ITCH $5.95 |
|
|
(AH840) SouthSixtyFive, Love Bug (Bite Me) – DJ CD $4.39 |
|
|
COUNTRY WEEKLY MAGAZINE JULY 9 2002 LOVE BUG BITE AGAIN $3.98 |
|
|
Natural Burt’s Bees Bug Bite Relief X2 $16.98 |
|
|
Once Upon America The Bite of the Gold Bug $5.98 |
|
|
IVY DRY BUGBITE 4 OZ LIQUID $13.99 |
|
|
Bug Bite Balm – Stops Itching FAST $3.99 |
|
|
Bug Bite Ointment $8.95 |
|
|
LUHR-JENSEN K7 KWIKFISH 5413-007-0050 BUG BITE $4.99 |
|
|
Bite Me! DVD LowShip Bugs With Bad Attitudes $4.98 |
|
|
Bed Bugs Don’t Bite NEW by Paul E. Weathington $26.37 |
|
|
Bug Bite .26 oz by Hylands $6.44 |
|
|
Carter’s Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite LAMP BASE & SHADE pink snail green frog NEW $29.99 |
|
|
BIG BITE 6″ SQUIRREL TAIL WORM, RED BUG, NIB, 1246 $3.99 |
|
|
The Bite of the Gold Bug: A Story of the Alaskan Gold R $6.98 |
|
|
AFTERBITE The Itch Eraser Outdoor Bug Bite Gel Trvl Sz $2.49 |
|
|
MOD SQUAD Love Bug Will Bite You RARE R&B Soul 7″ HEAR $36.67 |
|
|
The Love Bug Will Bite You Sheet Music 1937 PinkyTomlin $4.98 |
|
|
Tear Bear Baby~*Sleep tight don’t let the bed bugs bite $6.00 |
|
|
Burt’s Bees .25-ounce Bug Bite Relief (Pack of 4) $31.91 |
|
|
BURT’S BEES ® Bug Bite Relief x 3 $13.50 |
|
|
BURT’S BEES ® Bug Bite Relief x 2 $9.00 |
|
|
BURT’S BEES ® Bug Bite Relief $4.50 |
|
|
No Bite Me, Bug Repellant Soap by Sallyeander 4 oz Bar $6.95 |
|
|
The Bite of the Gold Bug by Barthe DeClements PB NF $4.49 |
|
|
Bed Bug Trap Stops BedBugs Before They Bite 4PK = 1 Bed $14.99 |
|
|
Bug Bite Relief Wipes (1)150ct.box $9.00 |
|
|
Hyland’s Homeopathic Bug Bite Ointment, .26 oz $8.99 |
|
|
Burt’s Bees Bug Bite Relief .25 oz (7 g) $5.99 |
|
|
No Bite Me, Bug Repellant Creme by Sallyeander 2 oz Jar $9.95 |
|
|
BIG BITE KRIET TAIL WORM, 6″, RED BUG, NIB, 1479 $3.89 |
|
|
BIG BITE 4.5″ SQUIRREL TAIL WORM, J-BUG RED FLK, 1116 $3.59 |
|
|
Canine Earth Organic Dog Grooming- Several Varieties $15.99 |
|
|
Canine Earth Organic Dog Grooming- Several Varieties $22.49 |
|
|
Canine Earth Organic Dog Grooming- Several Varieties $22.49 |
|
|
Canine Earth Organic Dog Grooming- Several Varieties $27.49 |
|
|
Canine Earth Organic Dog Grooming- Several Varieties $33.99 |
|
|
Canine Earth Organic Dog Grooming- Several Varieties $22.49 |
|
|
Canine Earth Organic Dog Grooming- Several Varieties $27.49 |
|
|
Canine Earth Organic Dog Grooming- Several Varieties $33.99 |
|
|
Canine Earth Organic Dog Grooming- Several Varieties $22.49 |
|
|
3M Ultrathon SRL-12 Insect Repellent Lotion, 2 oz $1.85 Ultrathon insect repellent is the longest lasting and mosteffective insect repellent on the market today. It repelsmosquitoes for over 12 hours and ticks for over 9 hours.Contains 33% Deet in a controlled release polymer.Moisture resistant. Comes bulk in a 2 oz tube…. |
|
|
Koolatron Lentek Biteshield RZ02 Electronic Racket Zapper $3.69 The Racket Zapper electronic fly swatter eliminates chasing down flying insects or splattering bug parts on your wall. Instead, spot the flying insect and zap it. The bug should die instantly and drop to the floor…. |
|
|
Organic Bedbug Killer Diatomaceous Earth DE – Gets Rid of Bed Bugs and Bed Bug Bites for Good by Nature’s Wisdom $10.48 Get rid of bedbugs for good with Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth. You can put this powder down and it will remain effective until vacuumed or washed away. This DE is milled at a consistency much like flour and is a fossilized shell (diatom). This bed bug killer is considered safe and organic for home and garden use and has been a staple in organic gardening for many years. This diatomaceous earth,… |
|
|
Celtic Lullaby $6.95 So much has been made of the music for babies and children to sleep, eat, and have their brains grow optimally that a collection of lullabies might seem a little suspect. But when the folks at Ellipsis Arts take up the task of creating a lullaby collection, the results are bound to be fruitful. Sure, the emphasis in this collection of 19 songs is on gentleness, but this music is so seldom heard th… |
|
|
Bug Bite Daddy $6.26 … |
|
|
When The Love Bug Bites $8.98 The third album by Dave Costa introduces the guitarist as a vocal stylist and adds a trombone to the mix for an exciting array of tunes,… |
|
|
Sandy Aubuchon, Deco Art, Bug Bites, Dewdrops & Russian Berries This video teaches three techniques to enhance your decorative painting. Sandy illustrates some popular Zhostovo (Russian) techniquest for painting realistic-looking berries, complete with drops of dew and bug-bitten leaves…. |
|
|
Bug Bites: An Ant’s Life [VHS] … |
|
|
VORTEXX 2000 – The Millennium Bug Resource Guide – Don’t Let the Y2K Bug Bite You! $0.75 This is an inside perspective on how to survive the Year 2000 & how to protect your assets & possibly even increase them. Hear what the world’s leading experts on the Year 2000 problem are doing for themselves & for their families…. |
|
|
Hare Ribbin’ $1.99 … |
