How Do Bed Bugs Change Skin?
WouterBed bug bites can be a problem for many people, particularly those who are sensitive to the bites of other insects. Although there is no specific treatment for bed bug bites, it is possible to get relief from itching and inflammation by using topical steroids and antihistamines. If the bites are severe and you are at risk of secondary bacterial infections, you can also take antibiotics. Apart from these treatments, good dermal hygiene is important to prevent further infections.
While bed bugs are not very large and resemble other insects, their appearance varies depending on the stage of their life cycle. A female adult bed bug feeds for about two weeks before laying her eggs. After a blood meal, a bed bug sheds its shell. Then, the insect grows to a size of 1/4 inch.
As hemiphagous arthropods, bed bugs are suspected of transmitting pathogens. As such, numerous investigations were conducted to establish a link between bed bugs and disease. However, the race to find an association might have had an impact on the research findings. One study reviewed 43 different human diseases that were transmitted by bed bugs.
Bed bugs are capable of changing their skin to withstand insecticides better than other insects. Thicker skin allows them to survive insecticides and to reproduce more offspring. Consequently, they have a higher population than thin-skinned bugs.
