How Do Cockroaches Affect Your Health?
Cockroaches can be harmful to your health for several reasons. Some of these problems include the spread of diseases and bacteria, and the development of skin and eye infections. Cockroaches can also contaminate food and surfaces. The feces and vomit of cockroaches can also carry the cholera bacterium, which can be transmitted to humans.
In particular, cockroach allergens have been linked to asthma in humans. The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology says exposure to cockroach allergens can cause severe asthma and allergy symptoms. In the US, around 63% of homes contain allergens from cockroaches, and these levels are higher in cities. Some studies show that exposure to cockroach allergens can even cause asthma attacks in sensitive people.
Apart from causing allergic reactions, cockroaches can spread diseases and bacteria. They can also contaminate food, surfaces, and utensils. Ingestion of cockroach bacteria can lead to gastrointestinal problems such as dysentery and typhoid fever. In severe cases, cockroaches can even cause sepsis.
The best way to deal with cockroaches is to prevent them from entering your home in the first place. You can prevent them by keeping your home clean by regularly cleaning and sanitizing surfaces. Avoid leaving food in open bowls or storing pet food inside the house. Also, you should not leave pet food lying around overnight. If you have a pet, make sure that its food is stored in tightly-covered containers. Also, make sure that your home is well-ventilated so that it does not collect mold. Finally, you should use an air purification system to keep your house as roach-free as possible.