Is It Dangerous To Have Bed Bugs In My Charlotte, NC Home?

It can be alarming to find out that you have bed bugs in your Charlotte home. There is something unsettling about bugs that like to hide during the day and come out at night to bite you. But, apart from being super creepy, how bad is it to have bed bugs? Let's take a look.

Anaphylaxis

The worst possible outcome of a bed bug infestation is that you have an allergic reaction to bed bug bites and they trigger a life-threatening condition called anaphylaxis. Fortunately, the chances of this happening are in the vicinity of your chances of winning the lottery. Just keep in mind that it is a possibility and seek immediate medical assistance if you notice symptoms.

Anemia

This is another low-probability illness that could develop during a bed bug infestation in your Charlotte home. Bed bugs draw blood when they bite. Ongoing bloodletting can lead to a condition called anemia. While this is a potentially life-threatening sickness, it can be treated. If you notice that you're feeling tired or weak, go to your health care professional. Serious symptoms of anemia include shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, cold feet or hands, jaundice, headache, and chest pain. Keep in mind that this is a sickness that can easily be avoided by having your bed bug infestation treated quickly.

Chagas Disease

Your chances of getting Chagas disease from bed bugs may be zero. But you should be aware of research at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. It was found that bed bugs have the ability to carry and transmit Chagas disease. There are, however, no real-world cases of Chagas disease being spread by bed bugs. There are two noteworthy reasons why this may be the case.

• The bed bugs that bite you are your bed bugs. They don't live outside. They are almost exclusively indoor insects. That means you're not going to get Chagas disease unless someone in your home has it or you're bitten by bed bugs that don't live in your home (or used to live in another location, but now live with you).
• Chagas disease is spread when feces from the biting insect enter the bite wounds. This makes it a little more difficult for it to spread. If you wash bed bug bites, you'll reduce the risk even further.

Infection

Bed bug bites can be itchy. If you, or your children, scratch the bites, they can become infected. This can be a medical threat, but you're aware of this. You know to treat cuts and bug bites with antibacterial cream. The only issue with bed bug bites is that there might be many of them. It could be difficult to keep up with continually disinfecting the bite wounds.

Sleep Deprivation

If bed bugs keep you up during the night, it can lead to sleep deprivation. Some symptoms of sleep deprivation are minor. Some are serious. Here are just a few:

Mood changes. These can be minor, such as a quick temper. But they can also be major, such as high anxiety, depression or suicidal thoughts.

Cognitive reduction. A minor repercussion of cognitive reduction is the inability to study for a test, which can result in a bad grade. A more serious repercussion is getting into a vehicle accident.

Health risks. Over time, you can develop high blood pressure, gain weight, and increase your risk of type 2 diabetes.

It is likely that you'll have your bed bug infestation treated long before you experience major issues with sleep deprivation, but it is important to understand the risk.

Social Stigma  

Bed bugs don't just represent a physical danger to you. They can be a danger to your social life. When family and friends find out that you have a bed bug infestation, you'll have a hard time planning birthday parties, Super Bowl parties, backyard cookouts, and other important gatherings. This can lead to isolation. It may also create complications for your kids at school. There are still some people who think that bed bugs are only found in dirty homes. While not true in the least bit, the stigma is still there.

The Solution

When you detect bed bugs in your Charlotte home, contact Go-Forth Home Services for immediate service. The best solution for bed bugs is to address them quickly. We can do just that. Our team uses the most advanced bed bug strategies in the pest control industry. We'll locate and treat the bed bugs in your home and monitor the success of the treatments to ensure all the bugs have been exterminated. 

If you have questions, or you'd like to request service, hop onto our contact page and drop us a line. We're standing by to assist you with this important issue.