Can Bed Bugs Make You Sick? Health Effects & Prevention Tips

Can Bed Bugs Make You Sick?

Dealing with a bed bug infestation is never pleasant. Not only can these tiny pests leave itchy red bites all over your skin, but they can also cause anxiety, stress, and sleep troubles.

With all the havoc bed bugs can wreak, many people wonder: can bed bugs actually make you sick?

The answer is complicated, but in short: bed bugs themselves do not directly cause illness the way other pests like mosquitos or ticks might. However, their bites can lead to skin irritation and secondary infections, and their presence can take a toll on mental health.

Common Health Effects of Bed Bugs

Here are some of the most common health issues associated with bed bug infestations:

• Itchy red welts from bites
• Potential skin infections from excessive scratching
• Anxiety, stress, and insomnia
• Anemia from excessive biting (rare)

Most people have some kind of reaction to bed bug bites, which typically appear a day or two after being bitten. The welts are often clustered in a line or grouped together, reflecting the bed bugs movement patterns as they bite.

Why Bed Bug Bites Itch and Irritate the Skin

When bed bugs pierce your skin with their mouthparts, they inject a tiny bit of saliva into the wound. This saliva contains proteins and chemicals that cause an allergic-type reaction in most people, leading to swelling, redness, and intense itchiness.

Scratching the bites can further irritate the skin and increase inflammation. In rare cases, excessive scratching can even lead to a secondary skin infection.

Can Bed Bugs Transmit Disease?

Unlike some other blood-feeding insects, bed bugs have not been shown to transmit communicable diseases under natural conditions. According to the CDC and EPA, there is currently no evidence that the insects act as disease vectors.

A few laboratory studies have found that bed bugs may be capable of harboring pathogens like hepatitis B and Chagas disease. However, these have not been shown to be transmitted by bed bugs in real-world settings.

Non-Infectious Health Effects of Bed Bugs

Even though bed bugs dont directly spread infectious illness, dealing with an infestation can certainly take a toll on your health in other ways, including:

• Mental health issues: Having bed bugs can negatively impact mental wellbeing and is linked to anxiety, insomnia, and distress.
• Anemia: In very rare and severe cases, repeated bed bug bites over time could potentially lead to anemia or low red blood cell count.
• Allergic reactions: As with most anything, some people may have severe allergic reactions to bed bug bites and experience asthma flares, hives, or even anaphylaxis.

Treating Bed Bug Bites

The itchy welts caused by bed bug bites will generally heal on their own without treatment after a week or two. In the meantime, you can take certain steps help relieve itchiness and prevent infection:

• Avoid excessive scratching, which can worsen irritation and itchiness.
• Apply a hydrocortisone cream or anti-itch ointment.
• Take an oral antihistamine containing diphenhydramine (Benadryl) to reduce swelling and itch.
• Use ice packs to help soothe skin inflammation.
• Keep the skin clean and apply antibiotic cream to bites that look infected.

See your doctor if signs of infection develop, including increased swelling, redness, warmth at the bite sites, red streaks, pus drainage, or fever.

When to Seek Emergency Care for Bed Bug Bites

Most reactions to bed bug bites will resolve on their own or with conservative at-home care. But in rare, severe cases, emergency care may be needed. Go to an emergency room or urgent care right away if you experience:

• Widespread hives or itchy rash
• Swelling away from the bite site
• Swelling of the lips, face, or throat
• Wheezing or difficulty breathing
• Rapid heart rate, dizziness, and/or fainting

These can all be signs of anaphylaxis, a severe life-threatening allergic reaction that requires epinephrine and advanced medical treatment.

Emotional & Mental Health Effects

In addition to the physical reactions caused by bed bug bites, simply having bed bugs can take an emotional toll and be psychologically traumatic for some people.

Bed bugs often cause anxiety, paranoia, and irrational fear. People become preoccupied with the infestation and develop insomnia while trying to avoid getting bitten at night. Dealing with bed bugs can be expensive, frustrating, stigmatizing, and exhausting.

According to researchers at the University of Kentucky, nearly half of people living in bed bug-infested homes show signs of clinical anxiety and depression related to the infestation and its treatment. Stress scores decrease dramatically once the infestation has been successfully eliminated.

Seeking Medical Care for Bed Bug-Related Mental Health Issues

If you find that having bed bugs is negatively impacting your quality of life or ability to function, talk to your doctor. They may recommend counseling, prescribe medication, or refer you to a psychiatrist or therapist to help manage bed bug-related anxiety, insomnia, or distress.

Preventing Bed Bug Bites and Infestations

The best way to avoid bed bug bites and related health issues is to prevent the pests from infesting your home in the first place! Here are some key prevention tips:

• Carefully inspect secondhand furniture, beds, etc. before bringing into your home.
• Check beds and linens after staying overnight in a hotel or another home.
• Reduce clutter and eliminate hiding spots for bed bugs.
• Encase mattresses and box springs in bed bug proof covers.
• Apply treatment like diatomaceous earth or CimeXa in crack and crevices.

Catching infestations quickly improves your chances getting rid of bed bugs safely and effectively before they become established, bite repeatedly, and lead to health issues.

When to Call an Exterminator for Bed Bugs

If you do end up with bed bugs, get professional pest control help immediately. The sooner treatment begins, the faster you can eliminate the infestation and avoid prolonged biting and exposure.

Bed bug extermination involves multiple intensive treatments by a licensed pest professional and diligent preparation and post-treatment measures to kill off all traces and prevent renewed infestation.

Trying to tackle growing or established bed bug populations on your own often leads to failure, continued exposure to the bugs, and ongoing health concerns from repeated bites.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.