Important Bed Bugs Symptoms and Treatment You Need to Know About
We all know what bed bugs are. From the name, you can easily guess that they are mostly found in your bed mattress. These are small parasites; they live on the blood of humans, mammals, and birds. Itchiness is one of the prominent bed bug symptoms, and treatment may not be necessary unless the bump becomes an open infected wound caused by scratching. Are the bed bugs easy to locate? Sometimes you do not think of bed bugs as the culprits. The mark is similar to other insect bites, reddish and itchy. But if you think that you have acquired the bite during your sleep, this should incite curiosity on your part. You will have to look into the mattress, pillows, bed sheets, headboards, bed frames, and box springs. They can also be found in furniture in areas where people sleep or sit. You will not immediately recognize bed bug symptoms and treatment of bites may not be necessary. The evidence of the bed bug bite is itchy welts manifest after a few days after being bitten. The bites are a nuisance but are not alarming for possible diseases. Bed bugs do not transmit diseases, but the infestation of the pests needs to be controlled as soon as possible. The pests can quickly multiply.
Bed bug symptoms are felt and seen. Once the presence is ascertained, you can immediately end the infestation. If there is a huge infestation or plenty of bugs, you may easily find these pests as they are large in number. But if not, you see signs or slight bed bug symptoms, and treatment is not called for. The symptoms are reddish bumps that are itchy. There are several signs that bed bugs are present. The bugs release a sweet musky odor that is typical of them. The smell is a chemical the bug releases to communicate with other bugs. Another evident symptom of bed bug infestation is red or brown stains on the sheets, mattress pads, pillows, or other sleeping paraphernalia. You will also find exoskeletons of dead bugs, eggs, and feces. You have evidence of the present because of these bed bug symptoms and treatment for their elimination may be your immediate course of action.
Treating non-serious bites
If there is no serious reaction to the bites or infection due to resulting wounds, there is no need for medical treatment. As soon as you discover that a bed bug bit you, you have to wash the red mark with soap and water. This will reduce itchiness and may prevent any infection. If the bite persists in itching, you can apply a thin layer of mild corticosteroid cream. This topical cream is available over the counter or without a drug store or pharmacy prescription. The bed bug symptoms and treatment will last a few days to a week.
Bed bug bite treatment for a severe reaction
Usually, the itchy welts will disappear in a few days. If you cannot stop scratching, the itchy bumps can develop into open wounds. Scratching incessantly, the wound can become infected. You may need medical attention if the bites are too numerous or when they develop into blisters. You may be prescribed antiseptic to prevent infection. The blisters can erupt and turn into infected wounds that ooze puss. If you have too sensitive skin, allergic skin reactions may develop hives or swollen skin. If going to the doctor due to a severe allergic reaction, you may be given a shot of an antihistamine or high-dose corticosteroid. If the bite is infected, you will be prescribed antibiotics. Bed bug bites can be intensely itchy, and by scratching them, you may suffer skin infection so you need to seek medical attention. There are rare instances of severe reactions characterized by breathing difficulty, irregular or forceful heartbeat, fever, swelling, or anemia. These are complicated bed bug symptoms, and treatment is very urgent.