Can Bed Bugs Hurt Me?
“Nighty night. Sleep tight, and don’t let the bed bugs bite.” These words were part of the bedtime ritual for many growing up, warning about the dangers of bed bugs. From a young age, bed bugs are instilled in us as the stuff of nightmares, but how dangerous are they really? Can bed bugs hurt you?
Bed bugs can be scary. They can bite you, leading to itchy red welts. They can make you feel uncomfortable in your own home. For some, there’s a psychological factor, which can even lead to problems with sleeping. But the good news is that, overall, the risks posed by bed bugs are fairly low. As they don’t carry diseases, bed bug infestations rarely have long-term consequences.
It can be difficult to eliminate a bed bug infestation (especially without professional help), but fortunately, once you do, the problem is gone.
What Are the Risks of Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are a huge nuisance, but luckily for us they’re not a major danger. Despite their parasitic nature and the potential for red, itchy bumps from their bites, bed bugs lack the reputation for causing severe issues associated with other pests. The main concerns of bed bugs include:
- Uncomfortable Symptoms: Bed bug bites can lead to uncomfortable symptoms.
- Potential Allergic Reactions: It’s rare but can be serious for some, so if your bed bug bites are extremely itchy, red, or painful, be sure to continue monitoring the situation. If you start noticing other signs like shortness of breath, fever, or nausea, seek help from a medical professional.
- Resilience: Bed bugs are notoriously challenging to eliminate without the assistance of a professional exterminator.
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Are Bed Bugs Harmful Psychologically?
The idea that as soon as you fall asleep tiny bugs crawl out to suck your blood? It’s the stuff or horror movies, and for many people, it’s enough to lose sleep over. Yes, bed bug-related insomnia is quite common, and people report additional signs of psychological distress during infestations, like moodiness, irritability, and loss of appetite.
But like the bites themselves, the good news is that bed bugs are unlikely to leave any long-term psychological scars. The vast majority report their sleep schedule and mood returning to normal after the bed bugs have been eliminated.
Do Bed Bug Bites Hurt?
No. Bed bugs inject an anesthetic and an anticoagulant to prevent immediate awareness of the bites. Pain from a bite may surface anywhere from a few hours to several days afterward. The most common symptom is itching, which can be painful. If the bites are scratched, they may worsen and take longer to heal.
Risks from Bed Bugs in Suffolk County & Nassau County
While most people don’t experience serious health issues due to bed bug bites, the true danger lies in their ability to spread within your property and move discreetly between hiding spots. Without professional extermination assistance, infestations can seem never-ending and prove challenging to control. Managing the presence of bed bugs becomes crucial to maintaining a healthy and stress-free living environment.