Do Bed Bugs Cause Health Problems?
Bedbugs are very resilient to most methods of removal and are considered more of a nuisance than a health concern. However, many studies have failed to prove that bedbugs cause disease. The greatest risk that bedbugs pose to humans is the secondary bacterial infection that they can cause by scratching human skin.
The most common health problem that people experience when exposed to bedbugs is itching. The itching can last up to two weeks and result in red bumps or welts on the skin. The itching is usually not life threatening, but it may lead to a lot of skin damage. Excessive scratching may also introduce other harmful organisms into the body.
Some people are concerned about the psychological effects of bedbug bites. The constant itching can lead to hallucinations and irritability. For this reason, parents should make sure their children aren’t around these insects. Parents should also make sure that their children don’t scratch the bites or scratch them.
In addition to itching, bedbugs can cause diseases such as Chagas disease. Chagas disease is caused by the transmission of a parasite that lives inside bedbugs. These parasites can harm the central nervous system and heart.