Anaphylaxis
For people with susceptible skins, bed bug bites may lead to anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis, or anaphylactic shock, is a sudden and adverse allergic reaction that can be life-threatening. Unlike simple allergic reactions that affect the skin alone, anaphylaxis involves the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. As a result, it causes inflammation in several body parts, including the airways, tongue, and throat. This can lead to difficulty breathing, wheezing, tightening of the chest, and passing out.
People allergic to bed bugs can have adverse reactions to their bites. A lot of literature supports the claim that bed bugs camp near their host’s face, which can be a disturbing thought for most people. The fear that bed bugs might enter the mouth while the host is sleeping is possible but not likely to happen since bed bugs are more interested in exposed skin. However, a bed bug can bite the host’s lips, making them itchy and swollen after some time.
These situations are more dangerous for people with sensitive skin and existing allergies. Most episodes of anaphylaxis can last from 5 minutes to an hour. After that, they can stop naturally or medical assistance can be given. Nonetheless, whether it is short or long, anaphylaxis should be taken seriously. Several studies also concluded that anaphylaxis is especially threatening for children. For example, children who are bitten at night time by bed bugs may experience the reaction after several hours while they are alone in their cribs or bedrooms.
