How To Recognize Bedbug Bites

Bedbug bites are irritating and bothersome. In most cases a small, hard, swollen, white welt may develop at the site of each bedbug bite. This may be accompanied by severe itching that lasts from several hours to days. Welts do not have a red spot in the center such as is characteristic of flea bites. Some individuals respond to bed bug infestations with anxiety, stress, and insomnia (probably because they're afraid to go to sleep and get bitten again). Although the bite itself in not generally considered poisonous, skin infections and scars may result from scratching and people find they will cluster in areas on the body, and can be in great numbers depending on the severity of the infestation.

Though not serious, bedbug bites can pose a nuisance and you should take measures to eliminate the insects from your home. Bedbugs are attracted to body heat and the carbon dioxide in expired air, which is how they find you.

As far as treatments are concerned many people who have been bitten and subsequently visit their Dr. are placed on systemic corticosteroids to treat the itching and burning. Response to this treatment is generally not very good. However, antihistamines have been found to reduce itching in some cases, but they do not affect the appearance and duration of the lesions. Topical corticosteroids, such as hydrocortisone, have been reported to effectively resolve the lesions and decrease the associated itching which can cause additional skin problems. For some who have allergic reactions, the bites can develop into bumps and blister-like inflammations.

Bedbugs take from 5 to 10 minutes to feed. Their color changes from light brown to a rusty red as it sucks the blood of the victim. Bedbugs are not necessarily averse to luxury hotel accommodations, they can be found in the best of hotels; and, here's an interesting fact, they are not associated with filth.

Bedbugs are small, wingless insects found all over the world. They are nocturnal parasites, which means they rest during the day and are active at night. Bedbugs can, however, go for months without a meal; this often gives people the false impression that they have rid their homes of the pests, when in fact the bugs are still lurking and waiting.

http://www.my-bedbug-4u.com/pages/bites.html

by Mike Yeager -

Back to Top

Source:  http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Yeager