Itchy Sleepless Nights May Be Caused By Bed Bugs: Know The Signs Of An Infestation

Bed bugs can cause skin irritation that could be very annoying and uncomfortable. At times, you may not immediately pinpoint that bed bugs are the ones causing the skin irritation as you might mistake it for some other kind of insect bites. To know whether you have bed bug infestation at home, you need to know the signs.

Bed bug bites are almost akin to mosquito bites. They are red and itchy bumps that could appear on your back, your arms and your legs. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) stated that when bed bugs bite, there are normally clusters of bites, where each cluster would have three to five bites appearing in a zigzag pattern. Getting rid of a bed bug infestation is the only way to rid yourselves of these nasty bites. There are some things that you must detect to spot an infestation and eventually get rid of it.

Black Stains

Bed bugs will leave dark black stains on mattresses or even on cushions. This is caused by their excreta. The small dark spots on your home furnishings are among the most visible signs of a bed bug infestation. These droppings are actually digested blood, and when they get dry, they turn into a darker color. The sizes of their poop can be like that of a dot of a marker.

Live Crawling Insects

After feeding on the host, bed bugs will double their sizes. This means that it is possible for you to see insects crawling on the surface of the mattress or cushions. When they get bigger after feeding, you might already notice them.

Unpleasant Smell

Infested areas, which could be on the mattress, behind the headboard, on the carpet or at the edges of the wall, could have a sickly smell. In addition, Sound Health and Lasting Wealth mentioned that when these bugs are disturbed, they could also give off a hormonal scent. With dark spots or black stains and you could smell the unpleasant odor, then you may have a bed bug infestation that you need to get rid of.

Getting Rid Of Bed Bug Bites

There are many ways to get rid of bed bug bites. The first thing to do is to wash the bites with soap and water. This helps in reducing the itchiness and also prevents skin infection. You may also apply a corticosteroid cream to the bites. Weak forms of this medicine can be purchased from the drugstore. However, if you need a stronger form of corticosteroid, you may need to secure a prescription.