The bugs are small insects whose body is flattened and wingless. Have you woken up with a body full of red marks? Then your bed may be inhabited by these annoying companions. However, it is common not to perceive the presence of these insects at any time since they come out at night. Depending on your country, their bites do not pose a health risk but can cause minor wounds with the risk of infection. However, in some areas, these insects can cause Chagas disease. If you suspect the presence of this insect, at FastlyHealwe show you the signs that can alert you to the presence of bed bugs and some home remedies for bites.
You may also be interested in Home remedies for bee stings.
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How to know if there are bed bugs in my bed
Bed bugs are nocturnal insects, so it isn’t easy to see them during the day. Their skin is coppery or reddish-brown, and they feed on blood. They can hide in the mattress, mattress springs, bedding, headboard, and plugs and stay there during the day. These insects do not pose a threat to health and do not transmit diseases, but they do cause discomforts such as irritation, itching, and the presence of red bumps on the skin.
The most common way of knowing that you have suffered bed bug bites is the presence of a succession of edges in the same direction on the skin, with very little space between them. It is likely that at first, we may think that it is a mosquito or flea bite, but the reddish marks are so close together and successively help us differentiate them.
The main signs of bed bugs are:
- Eggs. Bed bugs can live up to 300 days and lay 500 eggs.
- Minor stains on the bed. Another of the signs that help us identify bed bugs is the presence of tiny bloodstains on the bed. These take place just after the insect makes a bite, so together with the signs on the skin, it would be another of the most obvious ways to detect these insects.
- Signs on the skin. Consequently, there is usually more than one bite, and it goes in the same direction.
Chagas disease
It is a public health problem caused by the bite of the snout bug or besucona bug and is found in more significant numbers in Mexico and Jalisco. It is a disease that can have devastating long-term effects and affects the striated muscles of the heart, esophagus, and large intestine. This takes place when the insect makes the bite by releasing excrement, which is transmitted by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which is located in the striated muscles and has a large amount of blood. The bite of this type of bedbug is very characteristic and is known as the chagoma cone: a large welt, about 5 or 7 cm with a visible hole inside and which is very painful.
After the bite, symptoms such as headache, muscle pain, fatigue, and loss of appetite, characteristic of the acute phase, appear. After this period, some people develop the chronic phase, characterized by the development of dilated cardiomyopathy, which poses a risk of death or difficulty in swallowing food.
Home remedies for bed bug bites
If we are in regions with a high rate of Chagas disease, we should go to the doctor. Also, in the case of suspecting that you may have suffered a flea bite and you detect some symptoms such as headache, fever, or muscle pain, go to the doctor.
These are some of the home remedies for bed bug bites that we can carry out:
- Aloe vera. Aloe vera gel is an excellent moisturizer with antihistamine, moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a great ally as a home remedy for insect bites, eczema, or skin allergies. To do this, we must directly apply a little aloe vera on the edges and wait for the symptoms to relieve.
- Sodium bicarbonate. Baking soda is a disinfectant product that cleans the bite and relieves itching. To prepare, we must mix baking soda with a bit of water to obtain a paste and then apply it on the bed bug bites.
- White vinegar. This product has antiseptic and antifungal properties that are very beneficial for treating skin conditions. In this way, we can apply it to the skin to alleviate the discomfort caused by the bite of bed bugs.
- Lemon. This citrus fruit has antibacterial properties that help disinfect bites, cuts, and minor wounds. We apply a lemon wedge on the bite and wait for the symptoms to improve to obtain its benefits.
- Honey. Honey is another home remedy that we can use in these cases. This substance is a natural antibiotic and is effective against infections.
- The mud. The mud helps soothe pain and reduce swelling with bed bug bites.
- Tomato. Tomato has anti-inflammatory effects and can also help ease the pain caused by a bed bug bite. Therefore, we can choose to cut a tomato and rub the juicy part on the skin for a minute.
How to get rid of bed bugs
As we explained earlier, bed bugs can be found in small gaps in the wall, outlets, bed, or even on the sofa. These insects do not have to be due to a lack of hygiene, and they are frequently found in hotel beds.
The best option to eliminate bed bugs is to do the following:
- We must wash all bedding, including sheets, pillowcases, blankets, mattress covers, etc. We put them in the washing machine with hot water and, later, in the dryer for about 30 minutes at the highest possible temperature. We must move all the bedding in plastic bags to prevent a bed bug from hiding elsewhere in the house during the journey to the washing machine.
- We carry out the previous step with our clothes, towels, etc. All clothing that cannot be washed at home should be taken to the dry cleaner, warning that there is a risk of bed bugs in the garment.
- Ensure that all the closets and other spaces in the house are well organized since bed bugs can be found in the most unexpected places. This will reduce the places where these insects can hide.
- Move the furniture in case bed bugs are underneath and vacuum the entire floor of the house, including carpets. Once this step is done, we must remove the vacuum cleaner bag where dirt accumulates to ensure no bed bug escapes.
This article is merely informative; at FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Home remedies for bed bug bites, we recommend that you enter our Skin, hair, and nails category.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.