Can Cockroaches Harm You?

Although cockroaches can’t harm you directly, their feces and saliva can cause allergic reactions and asthma attacks. They can also contaminate food and beverages, leading to serious health problems including gastroenteritis and typhoid fever. In some cases, cockroaches can lead to E Coli food poisoning, which can cause death or lead to a serious illness.

Cockroaches can also spread diseases such as cholera. This is a potentially life-threatening disease that primarily affects developing countries and areas with poor environmental management. The infection is caused by eating food that has been contaminated by cockroach feces. When contaminated, cockroaches can transmit the cholera bacterium to humans through their feces, vomit, and contaminated surfaces.

Although cockroaches don’t bite humans, they can infect the skin and cause allergic reactions. These reactions are caused by the immune system’s reaction to allergens found in the saliva, feces, and body of the cockroach. Exposure to cockroaches is the most common way to trigger an allergic reaction.

Cockroaches are small insects that have six legs, long antennae, and wings. They can be anywhere from half an inch to one inch long. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences notes that there are over four thousand different species of cockroaches, but only a few species are known to be harmful to humans. Cockroaches are not aggressive, but they can be destructive in the home. Nevertheless, homeowners should take measures to minimize their habitat and prevent the infestation of cockroaches. These insects are best controlled by controlling their food and water sources.