Bedbugs are most active at night and bite people while they are sleeping.
The bedbug punctures the skin and withdraws blood through an extended beak. Bedbugs do not fly, but they can move quickly over floors, walls, and ceilings.
Female bedbugs may lay hundreds of eggs, each of which is about the size of a speck of dust, over a lifetime. irritating the skin can result in a severe allergic reaction that, in some cases, may require medical attention.
Risks associated with bites include infection, scratching can lead to scars, secondary skin infections can result from scratching bites, and rare but severe allergic reactions to bedbug bites have been reported.
They may include anaphylaxis, histamine intolerance, and systemic mastocytosis. itching from the bites may persist for days or weeks without treatment.
A 2009 study found that, unlike many other insects, bedbugs cannot become infected with the bacteria that cause Lyme disease.
There is evidence that suggests bed bugs could be a cause of asthma.
A study done in 2010 found that people who were exposed to bed bugs had a significant increase in wheezing and difficulty breathing.
This effect was most pronounced in people who had never had asthma before. The study found that the reaction was similar to that seen in people who are allergic to dust mites.
The study found that almost 10% had developed asthma after exposure to bed bugs.
It’s also worth mentioning that bed bugs produce a kind of protein that can trigger an allergic reaction in some people.
This protein is found in their saliva and is injected into their victims when they feed.
Symptoms of this allergy include redness, swelling, and itching at the bite site; hives; and in rare cases, anaphylaxis (a potentially life-threatening condition).
People with asthma may be more likely to have a severe reaction to this protein, which means they should exercise caution if they suspect they’ve been bitten by a bed bug
The CDC advises that people allergic to dust mites should avoid contact with bed bugs.
If you have asthma and are exposed to bed bugs, you should seek medical attention immediately.
If you think a bed bug may have bitten you, cleaning the bite site and applying an antiseptic is essential.
There are a few things you can do to reduce your risk of an asthma attack if you have bed bugs in your home:
- Use a dust mite cover for your mattress and pillows. Dust mite covers are made of special materials that prevent dust mites from getting through. This will help to reduce your exposure to these pests.
- Wash your bedding in hot water regularly. This will kill any bed bugs that may be lurking in your sheets or blankets. Be sure to wash all of your bedding, including pillowcases and blankets, in hot water every week.
- Keep your bedroom clean and clutter-free. Bedbugs like to hide in cluttered areas like piles of clothes or under the bed. By keeping your bedroom clean, you’ll make it harder for them to find places to hide
- Vacuum regularly. Vacuuming will help to remove any bedbugs or eggs that may be present on your carpet or upholstered furniture. Be sure to vacuum all areas of your home regularly, including under furniture and in hard-to-reach places.
At the end of the day, there is no definitive answer to whether or not bed bugs can cause asthma.
However, there is some evidence to suggest that people with asthma may be more susceptible to developing an allergy to the proteins found in bed bug saliva—and this allergic reaction can in turn trigger an asthmatic attack.
