What are the neurological symptoms of bed bugs?

Author: Alexzander Brekke  |  Last update: Thursday, November 6, 2025

Exposure to bed bug infestations could also leave victims and their families dealing with many mental and emotional afflictions, including depression, PTSD, anxiety, insomnia, and fear, for example. However, recent reports point to exposure to bed bug infestations leading to brain aneurysms or strokes.

Can bed bugs cause neurological problems?

It's not introduced by the bite, but rather when the bite comes in contact with the bed bug fecal matter. This can cause Chagas disease, sometimes called American trypanosomiasis. Chagas is a disease that causes heart damage as well as damage to the central nervous system and can be very serious.

How sick can bed bugs make you?

Some of these effects include: Allergic reactions to their bites, which can be severe. Effects ranging from no reaction to a small bite mark to, in rare cases, anaphylaxis (severe, whole-body reaction). Secondary infections of the skin from the bite reaction, such as impetigo , ecthyma , and lymphangitis .

What are the psychological symptoms of bed bugs?

Background: In some individuals, psychological sequelae resulting from bed bug biting events include nightmares, flashbacks, hypervigilance (to keep the bugs away), insomnia, anxiety, avoidance behaviors, and personal dysfunction. These symptoms are suggestive of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

What kind of diseases can you get from bed bugs?

Bedbugs aren't known to spread disease, but they can cause an allergic reaction or a severe skin reaction in some people.

How to Make Bed Bugs Come Out of Hiding? : Insider Strategies!

Can you get a parasitic infection from bed bugs?

Bed bugs, like the triatomines, can transmit Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease, one of the most prevalent and deadly diseases in the Americas, research has confirmed. The bed bug may be just as dangerous as its sinister cousin, the triatomine, or "kissing" bug.

What can I put on my body to prevent bed bug bites?

Essential oils. While essential oils like tea tree, lavender, and peppermint are popularly recommended for DIY bed bug treatments due to their strong scents and supposed insect-repellent properties, there is not much scientific evidence to support their effectiveness in eradicating bed bug infestations.

How do you feel when you have bed bugs?

Early Signs of Bedbugs

The first sign of bedbugs may be small, itchy bites on your skin, often on your arms or shoulders. Bedbugs tend to leave clusters of bites rather than single bites here and there. But for some people, bedbug bites don't cause any marks or itching.

What is a delusion about bed bugs?

Delusional Infestation (DI), previously known as delusional parasitosis is an uncommon mental health condition. DI suffers hold a strong belief that they, close family members or their surrounding environment is infested with small creatures such as lice, mites, bed bugs or creatures “new to science”.

What are bad reactions to bed bugs?

Although bed bugs are not known to spread diseases to people, they can cause itching and loss of sleep. Sometimes intense itching can lead to excessive scratching and possibly a secondary skin infection. An allergic reaction to several bites is possible.

What scent kills bed bugs instantly?

Blood Orange Oil

This essential oil is proven to be one of the most effective solutions when bed bugs are the matter as it can kill the pest successfully.

What is bed bug weakness?

If bed bugs have one weakness, it's that they're intolerant of extremely high or low temperatures. Washing clothes and bedding at the highest possible setting followed by drying for at least 30 minutes at high heat should do the trick. You can also freeze clothing or other objects you suspect of being infested.

What does a bed bug cause to the body?

Bed bugs have been around for thousands of years. They feed on blood, but are not known to spread any diseases to humans. Some people can be allergic to their bites. Getting rid of a bed bug infestation is not easy, but there are steps you can take to control the problem.

Can bed bugs make you feel ill?

Some people have a reaction to the bites. They can be very itchy and there may be painful swelling. A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) is also possible but rare.

What kills bed bugs permanently?

Pyrethroids are synthetic chemical insecticides that act like pyrethrins. Both compounds are lethal to bed bugs and can flush bed bugs out of their hiding places and kill them.

How to get rid of bed bug anxiety?

Cognitive-behavioural techniques can be helpful in managing bed bug anxiety. Try to identify and challenge negative thoughts. For example, if you find yourself thinking, “I'll never get rid of these bed bugs,” try to reframe it as, “This is a temporary problem, and I'm taking steps to solve it.”

What are the mental effects of bed bugs?

However, some published reports suggest that bed bug infestations are associated with insomnia and sleep disturbances, anxiety, mood changes, panic, agitation, phobias, delusions, social withdrawal, suicide, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder-like symptoms [5,14-17].

What is phantom for bedbugs?

Phantom insecticides: Two effective formulations for wherever bed bugs hide. Phantom SC Termiticide-Insecticide: Phantom Termiticide-Insecticide solves the toughest pest problems. Formulated as a dilutable, the powerful active ingredient chlorfenapyr is known for its long-lasting efficacy and novel mode of action.

What are the symptoms of Ekbom syndrome?

Initial symptoms in patients are paresthesia, pruritus, and stinging and biting sensations. Patients have various names for the creatures they perceive to be infesting them, such as insects, larvae, organisms, parasites, worms, and beasties.

How do you 100% know you have bed bugs?

How do I know if I have bed bugs?
  • A sweet, musty odor.
  • Reddish or rust-colored stains on bed sheets, sleepwear or nearby objects. This is what bed bugs excrete after eating, essential bed bug poop.
  • Bed bug exoskeletons (the skeleton they shed after molting).
  • Live bed bugs in the folds of bedsheets and mattresses.

Do bed bugs stay on your skin after a shower?

Showering using soap and water is sufficient to remove bed bugs from your person. Wash your work clothes and dry them completely in a clothes dryer.

Why do I wake up with bites not bed bugs?

Like bed bugs, most insects like spiders, chiggers, and mites are active at night, so these creatures could be causing the problem. Meanwhile, here are other critters that may cause itchy bites on your skin: Mosquito bites usually appear as reddish, swollen welts scattered around your body.

Will Vicks vapor rub repel bed bugs?

While some people believe that the strong smell of VapoRub might repel bed bugs, there is no reliable data to support this claim.

What smell keeps bed bugs away?

Bed bugs are sensitive to strong smells and certain scents can help keep them away. Essential oils like lavender, tea tree and peppermint are popular choices. These oils not only smell good but also act as natural repellents.

How do you keep bed bugs off you while sleeping?

These sneaky creatures will feast on exposed areas of your skin, but they can't bite through fabric. Lower your risk of getting bedbug bites by wearing long-sleeved pajamas with pants while sleeping. But be mindful that bedbugs can find their way to your skin under loose clothing.

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