Bed Bug Bite

Today allergies are the most common problems of modern theoretical and practical medicine. Almost every family there is someone, who in varying degrees, suffer from some kind or form of allergic reaction and the number of them is growing year by year.

When parasites like bed bugs bite a human, the insect injects its saliva into the wound to suck the blood of sleeping people. The human feels nothing; the blood does not clot for a long time, creating a favorable condition for the insect to feed on human blood every night.  Chemicals from the saliva of the insect are alien to human agents, so the body reacts to it naturally and rejects it to project the body.

However, these chemical agents do not have a direct threat to human health. When any chemical agents get in contact with human blood, the immune system is activated, resulting for histamine in the blood to be increased.

This expands blood vessels, thus increasing their permeability. The white blood cells, designed to surround the foreign proteins and other substances of nature, increases in number, and they successfully digest and destroy these “outsiders.”  However, the body, when there is a “war against the occupiers,” can suffer.

Due to the expansion of blood vessels, blood pressure may drop sharply. The body tries using reflexes – coughing and sneezing – to get rid of allergens; there is a reduction in muscle tissue in the bronchi, which can lead to suffocation and deprivation of oxygen in the brain, and loss of consciousness.

This could become dangerous and requires suppression of excessive levels of histamine in the human system. By injecting antihistamines into the body immediately, the histamine production in the human system is stabilized. Nonetheless, in some case, the bite can become a serious medical problem.

Today, the problem is greatly aggravated because of lack of physical activity, sedentary lifestyle, and unfavorable ecological condition of the environment and combined with a genetic predisposition; the adverse effects of insect bites can be extensive and turn into a global threat to human health.

Bed Bug Bites Vs Atopic Dermatitis: What Is The Difference?

Most people assume that there is little difference between atopic dermatitis and a bed bug bite. However, if we take a close look at these two type of lesions in detail, we can quickly conclude that there many differences.

If you wake up in the morning and find red bumps accompanied with itching and swelling, on your arms, legs and other regions on your body, this means that your home is infested with bed bugs. You can contact a pest control services and get rid of the bed bugs.  Instant treatment, improved sanitation, and continuous evaluation are needed to prevent more bed bug bites in future.

Meanwhile, if you do not have a bed bug infestation problem, but still experience skin problems, like itching, scabies, or an allergic reaction to a substance or irritant, then it can be atopic dermatitis.  In that case, see a dermatologist right away. The symptoms of atopic dermatitis are redness, red bumps, rashes, oozing blisters, swelling, pus formation, crusty appearance, etc.

The doctor will conduct a complete history check to determine if it’s a case of atopic dermatitis or bed bug bites. If a member of the same family has the same symptoms like the bed bug bites, then the outcome is clear. But, if the patient’s parent or any member has had similar reaction to an allergen or irritant, then is clearly atopic dermatitis.

Allergy Symptoms of Bed Bug Bites:

Bed Bug Bite

Symptoms of allergies to bedbugs will vary from person to person.  General symptoms include a slight reddening of the skin in the affected areas, some swelling of the surrounding tissue to the bite and tolerable itch. These symptoms may disappear quickly enough, just as they appeared.  Other symptoms are:

  • Angioedema – swelling of the face and difficulty in breathing
  • Bronchospasm – this requires immediate medical assistance;
  • Watery eyes and a runny nose;
  • Urticaria as blisters;
  • Anaphylactic shock.

Simple symptoms such as a rash and runny nose are easily treated by prescribing antihistamines. In dire situations, professional medical help is necessary.

Allergies caused by insect bites are particularly dangerous for pregnant women since they cannot even take medicines that contain histamine. For expectant mothers, Bronchospasm can cause oxygen starvation of the developing fetus that can have severe consequences for the unborn baby.

Allergic Reaction of Bed bugs Bites in a Child:

In children, the immune system is still in the developing stage, so the body will not be able to cope with allergens contained in the saliva of household bugs. However, the children are most vulnerable to parasites. The children thin skin is easy to puncture, and blood circulation in the child’s body is more intense than in adults, making them favorable to parasites.

A child’s body reacts much stronger to bug bites, and just a single bite can result in severe itching and redness. Children cannot bear very itchy bites, and constant itching can tear up the skin, the wound can become infected with oozing ulcers.

Treatment of Stings and Insect Bites:

  • The first response to an allergic reaction to insect stings or bug bites with blisters and redness of the skin is to apply an ice pack to the affected area for 15 – 20 minutes once an hour for the first 6 hours. If ice is not available, use a cold, wet cloth on the bitten area for up to 6 hours.
  • Elevate the bite or sting area to reduce swelling.
  • You can also use Psili-balm or Fenistil gel. Hydrocortisone 1% cream or calamine lotion can be applied to the affected area to help relieve itching and redness.
  • Antihistamine medicines such as Benadryl, Tavegil or Supravstin be taken to reduce itching, redness, and swelling. In the case of children, consult a doctor, before given them antihistamines.

Author bio:
Roger Gonzales is a well rounded blogger who has a wide variety of interests and specializes in doing in depth research for every project. He is an expert in doing in depth market research and also a notorious blogger/writer.

1 COMMENT

  1. It was very alarming to read that bed bug bites may not even be felt by humans when it happens and it will still cause infections. This makes me wonder about all these red spots that have formed on my shoulders and neck, even if I never scratch them at all. To be extremely sure that this won’t continue, I’ll look for any pest control services that can deal with these bed bugs for me.