020 7720 6468
The world first dedicated team of bedbug exterminators of modern times
www.Bed-Bugs.co.uk
The most trusted treatments and accurate information on bedbugs since 2005
Email: info@Bed-Bugs.co.uk Registered in England and Wales 5905112
Tel: +44 20 7720 6468 VAT registration number 911 9740 24
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Bed Bugs Limited all rights reserved
Telephone:
020 7720 6468
Since 2007
Since 2010
Board members Since 2011
Bedbug bites vary dramatically between individuals which is why they are not really strong indicators of the presence of bedbugs, although they are undoubtedly the most distressing side effect of an infestation. If you wait till you get bites the problem may already be more advanced than you would care to imagine. We have documented cases of literally thousands of bedbugs being present before any of the room occupants responded.
Key facts:
- Not everyone responds to the bites at the initial stages, there is a threshold effect and individual immune response effect as well as an environmental factor.
- Some people do not respond at the start of an infestation and it may take many bites to get a response. Some people never get a bite response. Those with sickle cell anaemia and thalassemia tend not to get bitten at all. The time from bite to response can vary by as much as 2 weeks and is often brought on by heat, hot showers or exercise which may aggravate bites.
- Individual immune responses play a factor in that some people are allergic to bites and the welt can be up to 3 inches across. We have seen one case of anaphylactic shock from bedbugs but as that is out of over 1000 people it's not a major issue although the effect can be fatal. This accounts for a massive degree of the variation between individuals.
- The environment can also play a massive factor. We have seen people only start to respond when exposed to a higher level of environmental pollution and the effect has been reported to be near instantaneous in the case of rapid exposure.
They will not bite through materials so covering up will help avoid bites although exposed limbs and face may become an easy target. We advocate protecting limbs and face while leaving the rest exposed as hidden bites are less obvious. It is also essential not to scratch the bites. They will fade and pass unless you scratch and damage the skin in which case secondary infection is common. Using an antiseptic or antihistamine cream will help but you should always consult a medical professional.
Bedbug bites will not scar if they are left to heal by your bodies natural processes. If the heads of the bites are removed by scratching they may develop a secondary infection which can result in a scar forming
It is not really possible to identify insects by bites alone and although they may be the most obvious symptom to an infestation they are not going to change the way that the property needs to be treated.
The picture below illustrate some “bites” on a few people, as you can see the severity of reaction is highly variable despite the fact that most of these pictures are the same person.
Bedbug Bites
