Is Bed Bugs Scabies?
WouterThe scabies mite is the culprit behind the skin disease scabies. It spreads from person to person through skin-to-skin contact and through clothing sharing. A typical scabies infestation can cause intense itching and discomfort. The symptoms of a scabies infection can be distinguished from those of bedbugs.
These tiny mites live inside the human body, and feed on human blood. They can live and breed in any dark, moist area. The problem is that they are notoriously difficult to eradicate. Scabies mites are microscopic parasites that burrow into the skin. Infected individuals may spread the disease to other people, causing an outbreak.
In addition to humans, bedbugs can infest other animals such as pets. They can live for up to 15 months without feeding, so they can be a real nuisance. Bites may be in the form of red bumps or pimple-like swellings. The itching may last from a few hours to a few days, depending on the severity of the infestation. Most bedbug bites heal on their own, but you may want to apply steroid or hydrocortisone cream to speed up the process.
In addition to treating bedbug bites with topical treatments, insecticidal lotions can also help. Some of these include benzyl benzoate lotion, which you can apply on affected areas twice a day. Another option is permethrin cream, which is effective when applied daily for three days. However, this is not recommended for the first time as it can cause a burning sensation. It can also be dangerous for people with certain health conditions, such as children and pregnant women.
