Bed bugs: common symptoms I rashes & co

Bed bugs aren't exactly the most popular insects. They are annoying and can also multiply very rapidly. The bugs are not life-threatening for humans, but they are very unpleasant.

Flat like flounder

“Flat like flounder” is the right keyword to describe the appearance of bed bugs (Cimex lectularius L.). Their shape in particular earned them the nickname “wallpaper flounder”. Here are a few notes to help you recognize these insects correctly. Usually a full-blown bed bug is visible to the naked eye. Typical features are:

• Size 4 to 6 mm
• Shape oval to slightly rounded and very flat
• reddish-brown color
• six hairy legs
• Lines cover main bodies
• white to cream colored, slightly transparent and sticky eggs
• Age 6 to 12 months

Note: Bed bugs are very nimble and can climb ceilings and walls with ease and then simply drop down on their potential victims. They are usually nocturnal, during the day they stay hidden in their hiding places.

Bites or stings?

Contrary to the assumption that bed bugs also bite their victims and suck their blood out, just like mosquitoes or fleas, this is not really true. Bed bugs don't bite, they bite. They have excellently trained mouthparts that can easily penetrate human skin. The small bloodsuckers only bite during the night, when their victims are asleep. The animals are attracted by the warmth, which they particularly love, as well as by the carbon dioxide emitted by the sleeper.
The bite itself is not perceived by humans. Symptoms usually only appear a few days later. Usually bites are only found on uncovered parts of the body such as:

• poor
• legs
• Shoulder and neck
• Feet
• Face and neck

First symptoms

Usually bites from a bed bug look similar to one Mosquitoes- or a flea bite. The symptoms can sometimes only appear up to two weeks later. The bites are always arranged close to each other in a row, the so-called "bug street", which ultimately leads to a distinction between the bites of the flea, mosquito or louse. The arrangement of the bites comes about because the bug does not always hit a blood vessel with the first bite. It must therefore continue to “wander” on the body.
In contrast to flea or mosquito bites, a bite itself is painless. With the bite, the bed bug injects a substance, a substance, into its victim through its sharp mouthparts Kind of anesthetic that prevents the blood from clotting immediately, so there is no pain noticeable. Depending on the stage of development of the bed bug, suckling blood takes between 3 and 20 minutes and is repeated every three to five days. However, these animals can get by for several months without food. Symptoms such as:

• Reddening of the bite site
• mild to severe itching after about 30 minutes
• flat, small bumps or Swelling

As a rule, however, a bed bug bite is also accompanied by more or less severe itching. Stronger reactions can lead to larger wheals and even a rash. As noted, these symptoms may not become apparent until days later after a bite on the skin. Everyone reacts differently to such bites. There are also people, around 20 percent, who show no reactions at all. It always depends on the sensitivity of each individual.

Note: Bed bug bites are not very pleasant. A rash can occur. However, you don't have to panic straight away, because infectious diseases cannot be transmitted in the process. However, there is a risk of infection of the wound if the wheal is repeatedly scratched open.

People with allergy

Usually, very few people are allergic to a bed bug bite. However, in isolated cases people can develop an allergy such as a bee or wasp sting. In this case, see a doctor as soon as possible. Without further treatment, the affected person can otherwise suffer anaphylactic shock, an autoimmune reaction of the body, which can lead to respiratory and circulatory arrest. In the case of severe infestation, there is also the possibility that the affected person will suffer from anemia through constant “blood sucking”.

Treatment not necessarily

If the body reacts uncomplicated, the symptoms usually subside on their own within a week. However, it is always advisable to consult a doctor if the pain is very severe and if there is no relief. In the case of very violent skin reactions, a cortisone ointment can be used in the event of a rash. Something should also be done against the itching that occurs, because it can have a huge impact on well-being. There are different options:

• Stitch healer from the pharmacy
• heated spoon
• cooling compresses or gels

If none of this helps, then antihistamines from the pharmacy.

Note: An electronic stitch healer works on the basis of concentrated heat of 51 ° C. The heated ceramic surface is pressed onto the bite site for 3 to 6 seconds. The local heat effect should ease the pain. The application is well suited for allergy sufferers, pregnant women and children.

Other signs

Bite sites do not always have to be a clear indication of the presence of bed bugs, as flea and mosquito bites also have such injuries. Therefore, look for other signs such as:

Traces of feces

• Black to dark red feces 0.5 to 1.0 mm in size
• wherever they are, such as hiding places, mattresses, bed frames
• excreted, digested blood

Moulting remnants (nymph skins)

• The bug goes through five larval stages to adulthood
• moulting at each stage
• Remnants consisting of all legs, head with a split back
• almost transparent, brownish to ocher in color

Blood stains

• due to delayed clotting of the blood during the suction process
• Stains on bed linen and nightwear

odor

• penetratingly sweet
• especially with heavy infestation
• Secretion of an oily secretion
• Defense against enemies and for attracting reproduction

If several of the symptoms come together, it can be assumed that there is an infestation by "wallpaper flounder".

frequently asked Questions