Scientists have revealed the preliminary description of bed bug sialoma: proteins in saliva that allow bed bugs to feed on humans without fatal retaliation.
Bed bugs belong to a group of parasitic insects that feed on blood. Your success in eating without discomfort depends in part on the protein in your saliva. These substances cause the host’s blood vessels to dilate to facilitate blood flow to his body, inhibit clotting, and prevent immediate pain and itching.
The immune system determines the host’s response to proteins. Bed bugs can cause a number of health effects, including psychological effects, allergic reactions, and physical effects such as prominent blisters on the skin.
Common allergic reactions include the development of large welts accompanied by itching and inflammation that can last for several days. Multiple cocks can trigger blistering rashes. People with severe allergies can develop anaphylaxis. Bed bug bite allergens are associated with asthmatic reactions.
Bite marks grouped in a linear pattern are suspected of being bed bug bites. The post-bite effect occurs in 3 stages including no reaction (development of little or no antibody), delayed reaction; immediate and delayed reaction, only immediate reaction and no visible reaction.
Symptoms include raised, inflamed welts at each bite site with intermittent itching for several days. The immediate reaction can occur within 24 hours of the bite and lasts for 1 to 2 days.
Delayed reaction to bed bug bites appears in 1 to 3 days followed by periodic redness and severe itching that can last up to 5 days. Late reactions can take up to 9 days before lesions appear.
Medical experts say that people who receive frequent stings develop sensitivity syndrome that includes nervousness, constant agitation, and insomnia. The medical literature suggests that a person can develop secondary infections by scratching the welt, and the bites can cause blister-like skin rashes, anemia, and anaphylactic reactions and trigger or worsen asthma.
Sometimes bed bug bites turn into a hard whitish swelling that leaves a dark red spot surrounded by a reddened area. Bed bug bites usually go away after a while, but old bites sometimes flare up if the wound has not healed properly and the person continues to scratch the welt.
If you were bitten by bed bugs and are reacting adversely to the bite, you need to take some steps to treat the welt so that they can heal. You should see your doctor immediately after noticing the stings, especially if you develop severe allergic reactions.
Home remedies and over-the-counter medications are available to treat bites. People’s skin responds differently to treatments, so consult your doctor before using any home remedies.
Home remedies
(a) Treat the affected area with ice to relieve the wound.
(b) Clean the affected area with an antiseptic soap (eg Dettol) before treating the wound. This prevents germs from entering the wound. Rinse with cold water and apply a paste of coconut oil (1 tablespoon) and roasted turmeric powder (1 tablespoon). Let the treatment act for 8 hours.
(c) Spray lavender oil on the wound for instant itch relief. If you have an allergic reaction to stings, you can take corticosteroids. Consult your doctor before doing so.
(d) Apply peppermint, garlic or cayenne pepper to the affected area after treating the wound.
(e) Black pepper, walnut, and red pepper are useful herbs to treat stings.
(f) Mix a tablespoon of salt and a tablespoon of baking powder and add water to make a paste and apply it on the wound.
(g) Apply a thick paste of cornstarch and water to the wound. Cornstarch removes toxins from the affected area.
(h) Apply an astringent such as witch hazel, St. John’s wort, or lemon juice to a cotton ball and rub the wound to reduce itching.
(i) Apply rubbing alcohol to the affected area to relieve itching. Avoid scratching wounds to prevent infection.
(j) Use a few drops of cedarwood oil with other medications (for example, oral or topical corticosteroids and antihistamines) to treat inflammation.
(k) Add concentrated peppermint oil, baking soda, oatmeal, or Alka-Seltzer (only if you are not allergic to aspirin) to a warm bath and soak in to reduce itching.
(l) Honey and aloe vera can also treat the wound. The gel from the aloe vera plant has antifungal and antibiotic properties to treat wounds.
(m) If you are not allergic to aspirin, you can dip a cotton ball in the Alka-Seltzer solution and apply it to the wound.
(n) Apply a light paste of aspirin mixed with water on the wound (if you are not allergic to aspirin).
(o) A warm washcloth on the affected area can also relieve itching.
Over-the-counter remedies
(a) Creams like cortisone ointment and calamine lotion reduce inflammation, itching, and speed healing.
(b) Topical anesthetics containing pramoxine relieve pain. Diphenhydramine relieves itching.
(c) An antihistamine like Benadryl controls the swelling.
(d) Hydrocortisone cream eliminates itching.
(e) Prednisone, an oral steroid, can treat itching. This medicine requires a prescription.
(f) Naproxen or ibuprofen reduce swelling.
(g) Zyrtec and Claritin (oral antihistamines) are available without a prescription to reduce allergic reactions.
(h) For systemic allergic reactions, a doctor sometimes administers injections of antihistamines, corticosteroids, or epinephrine.
(i) Your doctor may prescribe antibiotic ointments or oral antibiotics if a secondary bacterial skin infection develops.
Bed bugs are not known to transmit disease, but they are of significant public health importance. They carry at least 40 human pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and parasitic worms. Researchers have confirmed that these pathogens are not transmitted to humans through bites.
