Can Bedbugs Make You Anemic?
WouterBedbugs can make you anemic if you are exposed to them, so if you notice any symptoms, you should consult your doctor. Bedbugs can be particularly dangerous for elderly and disabled people, as they feed on their blood. The symptoms of anemia can be very subtle, but they can be dangerous over time.
Bedbugs are small flat parasitic insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals. These bugs are reddish brown in color and have no wings. They live on the surface of the skin, and they feed at night. Because of their lack of legs and body shape, they prefer to hide and feed on exposed areas of human skin.
The bites of bedbugs are itchy and sometimes produce a rash. The rash may be pruritic or erythematous. A doctor will be able to determine whether the bites are bedbugs by observing the rash on the skin and inspecting the affected areas. A severe infestation of bedbugs can result in iron-deficiency anemia and other health complications.
Bedbug bites are not infectious, but the immune response to them depends on the immune status of the host and the sensitivity of the immune system to the various components of the bedbugs’ saliva. A patient who has urticaria will develop IgG antibodies directed against specific proteins in the bedbug saliva. A patient with skin bullous lesions may develop IgE antibodies directed against nitrophorine.
