In this article, we’re going to talk to you about little brown insects that have created worldwide havoc lately. Yes, that’s right, bed bugs!
These little annoying pests creep on you secretly at night, bite you, and suck on your blood. Due to this, many people believe that these bugs can live in your hair! But is it true?
Do bed bugs hide in our bodies? Where do they bite? What are the symptoms of a bite and how can you treat them? Let’s find out!
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Can Bed Bugs Hide Around Your Body?
We all know that bed bugs are clingy and they can cling to our luggage, clothes, and furniture, and travel with them. But do they also cling to our bodies?
Luckily, it is very unlikely!
But why?
Bed bugs have an optimum temperature at which they can live. They can adapt themselves to our body heat but they surely DO NOT like it!
So, they don’t prefer to remain near our bodies and the items that might have our bodily heat such as our clothes. They are more likely to travel on backpacks, luggage, shoes, etc.
Can Bed Bugs Nest in Your Hair?
If you’ve ever had the thought that bed bugs might have gotten into your hair when you were asleep, then we’re here to bust this myth!
Bed bugs DO NOT live in your hair. If you’ve ever noticed any bed bug-like creature in your hair, then it is most likely to be ticks or lice. These insects can be easily confused with bed bugs due to their similar appearance.
Bed bugs always prefer to live in dark and secluded spaces like your bed, furniture, or the cracks in your walls. Bed bugs only emerge out of their hiding spots to feed on us and go back to their home to digest their meal after that.
Unlike lice, bed bugs do not have the anatomy to cling to hair, scalp, or fur. But are you afraid that they might have laid their eggs in your hair and run away? Then again, you don’t have to be!
Firstly, these bugs mostly lay their eggs in their hiding places where they are safe, so it is unlikely that they would’ve laid their eggs in your hair. Secondly, even if this happens, the eggs are not sticky enough and will easily fall off.
Can Bed Bugs Get in Your Ears?
When people hear about bugs crawling around them at night, there is a natural fear that they might crawl on body, ears, or maybe the nose.
We cannot deny this possibility, but thankfully enough, it is highly unlikely!
Bed bugs are the least interested in lingering around or inside the body. They know that they can get their work done in a couple of minutes and then go to their hiding place again.
They have special beaks that allow them to penetrate our skin and suck the blood from there so there is no way they will want to travel inside our body through ears.
Where Do Bed Bugs Bite?
Bed bugs can bite you anywhere on your skin but they mostly choose to bite near your neck and head. This is because bed bugs prefer bare skin which is unlikely to have hair on it. However, they can bite on our arms, legs, and other parts as well.
Bed bugs are sneaky creatures and it is hard to notice a bug bite till it causes a reaction because a simple bite will not hurt you enough to notice it.
Can Bed Bugs Bite Your Scalp?
Bed bugs occasionally venture beyond the hairline to your scalp and mostly bite your face, neck, arms, and legs.
There is a possibility of bed bugs biting your scalp but they mostly prefer to stay away from your hair and they do not have the mechanism to hold on to it.
They typically bite the skin that is exposed, so if you notice an insect bite on your head it is more likely to be some other insect.
Symptoms of Bug Bites in Hair
Bug bites in the hair come with symptoms like itchy and red welts along the hairline, forehead, or cheeks, or you may even notice small dots of blood on your pillow.
Bug bites are painless, except for skin irritation, and are also not dangerous to your health except in a few cases where the person might develop an allergic reaction to bug bites.
These allergic reactions can cause severe swelling, redness, pain in the welts, and sometimes even difficulty in breathing.
Except for bites, bug bites DO NOT cause or transmit any diseases.
How to Treat Bug Bites?
Bites are usually harmless and heal with time, within one or two weeks. But if it is cosmetically displeasing to you, you can speed up the recovery using hydrocortisone creams and antihistamines.
To relieve the symptoms of a bug bite, you may use an anti-itch cream or calamine lotion on bites. You can take an oral antihistamine to reduce any burning or itching symptoms. Any mild pain-relief medicine may also relieve swelling and pain.
Sometimes, bed bugs can cause an infection called cellulitis. To reduce the risk of infection, you should wash the bites with soap and water, and avoid scratching them.
In rare cases, bug bites can cause an allergic reaction. So, if you notice any discomfort, you should immediately call 911!
Final Words
To prevent bug bites, you should wash all your clothes, linen, bedding, and towels with hot water and dry them using heat or sun. If you find bugs crawling on your skin or hair, a simple hot water bath will be effective in removing them.
You can also consult your doctor or dermatologist for bug bite treatment. And if you’re worried, there is no reason to be! There are a variety of treatments for bites that are safe and do not include chemicals.
We sincerely hope this article has helped you and busted the myths about bed bugs nesting in your hair!
