Whether you’re moving into a new home or suddenly noticing small bugs crawling in the living room, bed bugs can wreak havoc on your living conditions and quality of life.
While their presence doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re untidy or unsanitary but left unchecked can contribute to a host of problems.
Bed bugs don’t normally spread diseases. However, having them in your living room (and other parts of the home) can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, insomnia, and anxiety – all of which can add up to a greater sense of unease and discomfort.
When you’re having trouble sleeping, it can be difficult to concentrate on work or even just relax and enjoy yourself.
Common Health Risks of Bed Bugs in the Living Room
Unlike termites that damage the home, and unlike rats that could potentially carry diseases, spread them and cause serious illness.
Bed bugs in the living room don’t directly cause any health risks. However, their presence can still have a strong impact on your mental and physical well-being.
These pests are tiny enough to make it difficult to spot them. They don’t transfer deadly diseases like other pests do, but they can do damage in their own little ways and can affect your quality of life one way or another.
Here are some of the common health risks of bed bugs in the living room, and other parts of your home.
Stress
When it comes to health risks of bed bugs in the living room, one of the most consequential of all is stress.
Spotting the telltale signs of these pesky creatures can be unbelievably nerve-wracking, especially when considering their mere presence has the potential to create chaos in a household.
Coupled with the strain of trying to get rid of them, it can all add up to an incredible amount of stress.
These parasites quickly spread around the home, causing recurrent damage to furniture like mattresses and curtains, as well as frequent bites on exposed skin.
The physical effects aside, dealing with such a situation for an extended period can also have serious consequences on our mental health.
Unsurprisingly, living in a chronic state of tension and stress can lead to various issues related to emotional anxiety.
This may manifest itself through unhealthy habits like drinking or smoking, both of which can further weaken our immune system. In turn, this makes us more vulnerable to developing other health issues, including insomnia and depression.
AIn addition to the psychological strain often caused by bed bugs, there are also physical symptoms that should not be overlooked.
Stressful situations can elevate heart rate and blood pressure, and even disrupt digestive processes and increase the risk for certain illnesses.
These risks go beyond just by being bitten; they are all real threats that come with dealing with bed bugs in the living room.
Allergic Reactions
Another common health risk of bed bugs in the living room is allergic reactions. Bed bug bites can cause localized redness, itchiness, and swelling, especially if you are already predisposed to such allergies.
In some cases, the reaction may even be systemic, meaning it affects the entire body.
In extreme cases, anaphylactic shock may occur due to a reaction to bed bug proteins. This is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention and can cause difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, and even death if left untreated.
It’s important to take precautions when dealing with bed bugs in the living room, as their presence can have serious consequences for our health and safety.
And what’s worse is when you find them in your living room, there are also higher chances they’re in other parts of your home, particularly in your bedroom, feeding on you while you sleep.
Skin Infection
Bed bug bites can be incredibly uncomfortable. We may try to fight off the urge, but scratching is often an instinctive reaction when bitten. Unfortunately, this can lead to a further problem – open wounds that are vulnerable to infection.
When left untreated, these open wounds can become susceptible to germs and bacteria entering the skin.
The infection will then manifest itself in various ways such as redness around the wound, swelling, and tender bumps that are warm to the touch.
There are several types of bacterial skin infections that could occur in this situation, such as cellulitis, impetigo, or boils.
If you’ve been bitten by bed bugs and developed open wounds due to your scratching habit while asleep, make sure to take some proactive steps to reduce your risk of bacterial infection occurring.
This includes washing the affected area with soap and water regularly until it heals over completely.
Applying an antibiotic ointment or cream is also recommended for best results. Additionally, you should keep an eye on any signs or symptoms of infection such as inflammation around the wound or high amounts of pain when touched.
In case this occurs, don’t hesitate to consult with a qualified health professional who can help diagnose any underlying issues that may be causing your discomfort or potentially prevent further complications from developing.
Sleep Deprivation
Bed bug infestations can be incredibly disruptive, not only for our peace of mind but for our physical and mental health too.
The incessant itching, crawling sensations, and bites associated with these pests can all take their toll on our sleep. These could all lead to chronic fatigue, impaired cognitive functioning, and increased risk of accidents.
What’s more, in the long term sleep deprivation can have a number of serious consequences on our health.
From heart disease to loss of appetite, it can wreak havoc on every aspect of our lives. It isn’t uncommon for such issues to cause problems at work or even cause depression.
The repercussions of prolonged lack of sleep should not be underestimated. Research shows that the body simply cannot operate at its best without an adequate amount of rest each night.
Poor sleep quality could lead to different debilitating symptoms which can range from mild irritability all the up to life-threatening illnesses.
Additionally, sleeping too little increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and other chronic health problems, such as diabetes or obesity.
If bed bugs are keeping you up at night and is causing insomnia, getting rid of them from your living room and entire home is the first and the most important step.
Taking measures to ensure a peaceful rest is essential for maintaining our physical and mental health.
Weakened Immune System
When we’re exposed to bed bugs, our body responds by trying to fight off the invasion. This process triggers a cascade of biological reactions that could take its toll on our overall health.
The constant battle with these pesky pests causes stress hormones and inflammation-promoting chemicals to be released.
Our immune system also gets weakened in the long run, as it struggles to keep up with the barrage of invasions. The lack of sleep doesn’t help too – our bodies regenerate and repair while we sleep, so when this is interrupted due to bed bugs, our immune system could suffer significantly.
The weakened state of the body makes us susceptible to illnesses such as colds and flu-like symptoms.
People who are already suffering from conditions like asthma may also find their symptoms exacerbated by a bed bug infestation in their home.
Pest Control Companies Can Help
While it’s tempting to attempt a DIY solution at this point, finding professional help might not be a bad idea. DIY methods may work, but fighting off bed bugs in the living room alone is not enough.
Your living room may be filled with crawling bed bugs, considering there are multiple places where they could congregate. Rugs, couches, carpets, curtains – all of these can be hotspots for bed bugs.
Professional pest control companies understand the scale of the problem and have all the necessary tools, equipment, and chemicals to help you get rid of these pests once and for all.
These professionals are trained to use safe yet effective methods that don’t put your family at risk or damage your furniture or other belongings.
Bed Bugs in Living Room: Final Thoughts
Bed bug infestations whether in the living room or other areas of your home can be incredibly disruptive. Not only do they cause discomfort, but they can also have a long-term impact on our physical and mental health.
From sleep deprivation to a weakened immune system, the effects of bed bugs should not be taken lightly.
While DIY solutions may work in some cases, it is best to consult a professional to ensure that these pests are completely eliminated.
Doing so will help protect your family from the harmful effects of bed bugs and also improve your quality of life.
