Bedbug bites on humans. Photos, symptoms, how to smear, process, treat, what is fraught with

Bedbug bites on humans appear numerous rounded red swellings that are arranged in a path at a small distance from each other. The resulting redness on the skin causes discomfort in the form of itching and burning. Most often, people are faced with bed bug bites, photos of which will be presented below.

Reasons for the appearance

House bugs are blood-sucking insects that penetrate living quarters in various ways:

• will mix from basements;
• penetrate from neighboring apartments;
• attached to animal hair;
• enter the apartment together with the purchased furniture;
• get into suitcases and bags with things while traveling.

Bedbugs have a piercing-sucking type of mouth apparatus in the form of a segmented proboscis at the top of the head. There are 2 channels in the proboscis: with the help of one of them, the bug sucks blood, and thanks to the presence of the second, it injects a special substance that performs the function of a temporary anesthetic.

That is why, often during sleep or wakefulness, a person misses the moment of the bite and notices only the mark left on the skin. Often, bedbugs are activated at night, and during the day they hide in furniture, crevices, and household items.

One of the main reasons why bedbug bites appear on the human body is the physiological need of insects for food.

In some cases, parasites bite selectively, giving preference to:

• people with thin skin;
• areas of the body with a low percentage of hair, where it is easier for the insect to move;
• vulnerable areas of the body not covered by clothing (limbs, forearms, neck);
• children whose blood vessels are close to the skin.

According to research, 7 out of 10 people do not feel the effects of bedbug bites.

Possible diseases

Due to the fact that bedbugs feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals, theoretically, insects should be carriers of dozens of different types of infections, but this is an erroneous opinion, since most of the pathogens that have entered the bug's body succumb destruction. Once in the intestines of parasites, pathogenic bacteria die almost immediately.

In order for the pathogen to enter the blood of a person, it must penetrate from the intestines of the insect into its saliva. There are 2 pathogens that survive in the intestinal environment of the bug, therefore, theoretically, they can be transmitted to humans through the bites of parasites.

Also, some infections are spread through insect excrement, in which pathogens can persist for 2-3 weeks or even months. Bedbug feces accumulated in a living room can penetrate the combed wounds in the bite areas, thereby increasing the risk of human infection.

Route of transmission: bug saliva	Route of transmission: bug feces
Lepra is an infectious process with a chronic course, expressed by skin lesions of varying severity, as well as disorders of the peripheral nervous system.	Hepatitis B is an infectious liver disease occurring in various clinical variants.
Septicemia is a form of sepsis, which is characterized by a combination of general symptoms of the disease with purulent lesions in organs and tissues.	Tularemia is an acute infection that affects the lymph nodes, mucous membranes of the pharynx and eyes, and the lungs.

Diagnostics

Bedbug bites on a person (photos indicate the presence of many single redness in the form of acne) do not have specific diagnostic methods. In order to establish the fact of the presence of insects in your home, it is necessary to conduct a thorough examination of the bedding.

The following signs will indicate the presence of bedbugs:

• the presence of pale yellow larvae on the sheets, which insects periodically discard during molting;
• found particles of insect excrement in the form of black or red grains of sand, which turn to red spots if you wipe them with a damp cloth;
• the presence of small smears of blood on the bedding, which appeared due to damage to the skin during a bite.

For the differential diagnosis of bug bites with bites of other insects, it is important to know their characteristic symptoms:

• the rash is presented in the form of tracks, consisting of 5-7 reddened foci;
• the formation of papules in places of redness;
• the presence of itching;
• disappearance of skin manifestations after 24 hours.

When bedbug bites cause the development of local and systemic allergic reactions, the nature of which it is quite difficult to determine, it is necessary to visit an allergist who will prescribe the necessary laboratory analyzes. Allergy provoked by direct human contact with an insect is called insect allergy.

Insect allergic reaction should be carefully studied using the following diagnostic methods:

• Collection of anamnesis of the disease.
• Visual inspection.
• A complete blood count is a diagnostic method that detects the presence of a large number of eosinophils. Their increased level in the blood indicates the presence of an allergic reaction. The average cost of a study in a clinic is from 200 rubles.
• Analysis for specific immunoglobulins E is a type of laboratory study that allows you to identify what exactly is a provocateur of the development of allergies. The patient's venous blood is used as a biomaterial for analysis. The cost is about 400 rubles.
• Skin allergy testing is a diagnostic method in which a solution of a potential allergen is applied to the patient's skin with a thin needle and the development of a local reaction is monitored. In the presence of allergies, redness appears at the site of micro-punctures. Research price - 300-400 rubles.

When to see a doctor

Bedbug bites on a person (the photo allows for differential diagnosis) not in all cases become a reason for seeking medical help. If the bites appear in the form of small redness that disappears within 1-2 days after the appearance, there is no need to see a doctor.

It is necessary to consult an allergist for consultation in the following cases:

• the development of an extensive allergic reaction in the form of urticaria;
• the presence of concomitant allergy symptoms: lacrimation, severe itching all over the body, runny nose.

The help of a general practitioner is necessary in the case when purulent foci of inflammation have formed in the bite sites, which have arisen due to the penetration of pathogenic bacteria into the wound.

Immediate ambulance is required when, as a result of a bug bite, Quincke's edema has developed, the main symptoms of which are:

• sharply formed puffiness on the face or in the neck;
• labored breathing;
• hoarseness of voice;
• speech impairment.

How to avoid

In order to avoid the appearance of bedbug bites, it is necessary to prevent their penetration into your home.

There are some rules that reduce the risk of bedbugs in a living room:

• carefully check the purchased furniture and carry out its preliminary processing with detergents;
• in the presence of pets - regularly check their fur after each walk;
• check suitcases and bags with things after returning from a long trip;
• monitor the cleanliness of the apartment;

If bedbugs appear in the apartment, contact a private disinfection service, since it is quite difficult to get rid of insects on your own.

Treatment methods

Bedbug bites on a person (photos allow us to consider the nature of skin lesions) do not require specific treatment. The use of medications is necessary to eliminate the accompanying symptoms - burning, itching, redness, as well as to prevent infectious processes.

Medications

Immediately after insect bites, to treat the skin in order to reduce itching and redness, use special products designed to eliminate unpleasant symptoms:

• Nezulin - cream-gel based on natural ingredients with antipruritic and cooling effects. Active ingredients in the form of extracts of plantain, celandine and chamomile, relieve inflammation and soothe irritated skin. Peppermint essential oil cools and refreshes the skin. The gel is applied in a thin layer to the foci of insect bites immediately after they appear. The cost is about 145 rubles.
• Rescuer - a balm based on natural ingredients that soothes irritated skin. Contains beeswax, calendula extract, tea tree oil, vitamins A and E. The drug is applied to the skin 2-3 times a day. The cost is about 150 rubles.

When bedbug bites provoke a local allergic reaction, use antihistamines in the form of an ointment or gel:

• Fenistil - a gel that has an antihistamine effect. When applied to the skin, it eliminates itching and burning, has local anesthetic properties. The gel is applied in a thin layer to the affected areas of the skin 2-4 times a day. The cost of the drug is about 500 rubles.
• Psilo balm - antiallergic agent that eliminates tissue edema and hyperemia caused by an insect bite. The drug has a cooling effect and quickly relieves itching. The gel is applied in a thin layer to the affected areas of the skin 3-4 times a day. Price - from 250 rubles.

With more extensive allergic reactions, which are expressed not only by local manifestations, but also by lacrimation, redness of the mucous eyes and a runny nose, systemic antihistamines are used:

• Zodak - a drug in the form of tablets based on cetirizine, which relieves the main symptoms of allergy. Take orally 1 tablet once a day with plenty of water. The cost is about 300 rubles.
• Loratadin - a remedy with anti-allergic and antipruritic effects, preventing the development of tissue edema. Take 10 mg of the drug per day. Cost - from 85 rubles.
• Zyrtec - a drug in the form of drops with antiallergic and antiexudative actions based on cetirizan. Take 20 drops of the product once a day, dissolving in a small amount of water. Price - from 320 rubles.

To eliminate unbearable itching, local preparations with a cooling effect are used:

• Menovazan ointment - a combined preparation for external use. Contains benzocaine and procaine, which have a local anesthetic effect. The ointment is applied in a thin layer to the surface of the skin affected by bites 3-4 times a day. The cost is about 100 rubles.
• Boromenthol - a combined drug in the form of an ointment used to eliminate itching. Contains boric acid and racementol. The dosage regimen of the drug is individual. Price - from 75 rubles.

If bedbug bites have caused the development of allergies in large areas of the skin, patients are prescribed topical glucocorticoid drugs:

• Advantan - emulsion for external use, suppressing allergic and inflammatory skin reactions. Apply the drug in a thin layer to the skin lesions once a day. The cost is about 600 rubles.
• Akriderm - ointment with anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic action. The drug is applied to the affected skin in a small amount 2 times a day. The duration of treatment is determined individually. Price - from 125 rubles.
• Hydrocortisone - a preparation in the form of an ointment used to eliminate itching and inflammation on the skin after numerous insect bites. Relieves swelling and redness of tissues. The ointment is applied in a thin layer to the affected areas 2-3 times a day. The cost is about 30 rubles.

For disinfection of skin areas in places of bites, where microcracks or wounds have formed, antiseptic solutions are used:

• Fukortsin - antiseptic and disinfectant solution for treating damaged skin. The solution is applied with a cotton swab or brush pointwise to the area of ​​insect bites 2-4 times a day. It is forbidden to apply the drug to large areas of the skin, as this can cause toxic effects. Cost - from 50 rubles.
• Furacilin - a preparation in the form of tablets, with the help of which an antiseptic solution is prepared for treating skin areas: 5 tablets of the product are diluted in 500 ml of hot water. The finished solution can be stored for about 14 days in a dark place at a temperature of 8-15C. To treat bites, cotton swabs are used, which are dipped in a solution and applied to inflamed foci. Cost - 15 rubles.

Folk methods

Bedbug bites on a person, photos of which are presented in this article, respond well to treatment with the help of folk recipes. Lotions, decoctions and mixtures based on medicinal herbs and other improvised means, relieve irritation from inflamed skin, reduce the manifestation of itching.

The most effective methods of dealing with bites include:

1. Ice. Immediately after detecting lesions, they are wiped with ice cubes, or any product from the freezer is applied. Such manipulations instantly improve the condition of irritated skin.
2. Soap and water. Apply lather to the area of ​​numerous bites, wait about 10-15 minutes, and then rinse with warm water.
3. Soda paste. 2 tbsp. l. mix soda with such a volume of water that the resulting mixture turns into a thick slurry. Apply the paste to the bite sites and after 5 minutes remove the remaining baking soda with warm water.
4. Lemon and St. John's wort. The use of the solution will reduce the manifestation of the rash and accelerate the healing process of the wounds formed on the skin. For cooking, take 1 tsp. l. chopped herb St. John's wort and pour a glass of boiling water. Insist the resulting mixture for 30 minutes and add 1 tsp to it. l. lemon juice. Moisten gauze cloths in the infusion and apply to the bite sites.
5. Chamomile decoction. 1 tbsp. l. Pour 200 ml of hot water over the crushed flowers of the plant, bring the mixture to a boil. Cool the resulting broth and strain through cheesecloth. Moisten the affected skin with a solution 3-4 times a day.
6. Scarlet juice. To reduce itching and relieve inflammation, it is necessary to treat the bite sites with aloe juice. For its preparation, aloe leaf is crushed into gruel and squeezed out the juice with gauze. The resulting liquid is used to wipe the bites on the skin. The procedure is carried out 3-4 times a day.
7. Tincture of calendula. Alcohol tincture of calendula, purchased at the pharmacy, dries up redness and disinfects them, in case of the penetration of pathogenic bacteria. To carry out the procedure, moisten a cotton swab or disk in the tincture and apply to the skin, locally treating the bite sites.

Other methods

If bedbug bites provoke an allergic reaction in the form of hives, you should follow a specific diet in order to speed up the healing process.

The essence of diet therapy is the rejection of a number of prohibited foods:

• smoked meats, marinades, pickles;
• confectionery sweets, chocolate;
• semi-finished products;
• citrus;
• honey;
• nuts;
• carbonated drinks;
• fried, spicy dishes.

Chocolate, citrus fruits, honey and nuts can act as additional allergens and aggravate the situation with an allergic rash, therefore it is recommended to completely exclude them from the diet for 7-10 days. It is better not to use the rest of the listed products due to their difficult digestibility.

Possible complications

Bedbug bites on a person in most cases disappear without a trace a day after they appear on the skin. However, there are cases when bites provoke the development of complications (some of them are shown in the photo below):

• the appearance of a local allergic reaction in the form of puffiness, itching, urticaria;
• Quincke's edema;
• anaphylactic shock;
• inflammatory or purulent process due to penetration of infection into the wound;
• psychological problems associated with sleep disturbance and fear of repeated bites.

Bedbug bites on humans are difficult to differentiate from other blood-sucking insects. To determine what exactly bed bugs caused the appearance of redness, you can study the nature of the rash using the photo examples presented on the network, and also check the apartment for the presence of parasites.

Timely detection of bedbugs will help to avoid their reproduction and mass distribution in other living quarters.

Article design: Vladimir the Great

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