First, don’t panic, Mattress bugs are frequent and aren’t dangerous.

An unwelcome and unlucky memento from summertime journey could possibly be mattress bugs. Don’t get itchy but: Right here, a CHOC pediatrician affords tricks to forestall the unfold, what to search for and how one can deal with bites, if essential.

What are mattress bugs?

Mattress bugs are small bugs that chunk human pores and skin and trigger itchy and irritated pores and skin, says Dr. Katherine Williamson, a CHOC pediatrician. Like mosquitos, they chunk to feed on human blood. However in contrast to mosquitos, mattress bugs don’t unfold illness.

“Nonetheless, they’re very annoying!” says Dr. Williamson.

How do I do know I’ve mattress bugs?

Mattress bugs are reddish-brown concerning the dimension of an apple seed, Dr. Williamson says. They’re generally discovered alongside mattress edges and mattress frames, but in addition in electrical shops, carpet edges and books. Mattress bugs additionally depart rust-colored spots from crushed bugs, black spots from insect feces, or specks of blood. These remnants are normally present in sheets, folds in bedding and wall paper edges.   

How are mattress bugs launched into a house, particularly one with little children?

Mattress bugs conceal in belongings and clothes and may survive as much as six months with out feeding on a human host. So, any shared garments, linens and stuffed animals could possibly be a possibility for mattress bugs to unfold from one family to a different, Dr. Williamson cautions.

They will additionally journey on furnishings and baggage and could be seen in locations with excessive visitor turnover, comparable to inns and dorm rooms.

Can mattress bugs make children sick?

The one well being affect from mattress bugs is that they trigger itchy bites. They don’t unfold illness, reassures Dr. Williamson. Nonetheless, if kids are itching within the evening and daytime, this will disrupt their sleep, play and focus at college. As well as, any pores and skin space that’s scratched sufficient might trigger an open sore and an infection threat if the itch isn’t relieved.

What are the indicators and signs of mattress bug bites?

Mattress bug bites trigger itchy pink bumps in areas of pores and skin which are uncovered at nighttime, such because the face, neck, arms and palms, she says. Typically the bites will seem in a row and have a tiny pink dot within the center.  

Mattress bug bites can look just like mosquito and different insect bites, so dad and mom ought to search for indicators of the bugs themselves.  

How do I deal with my baby’s mattress bug bites?

Dr. Williamson advises to deal with lowering the itch and stop scratching. Not solely is the itch irritating, however intense itching may cause an open sore.  Discover reduction by attempting calamine lotion or an anti-itch cream comparable to topical hydrocortisone, each of which can be found over-the-counter. Ice packs and funky baths may assist relieve itching. Bites normally clear up in a single to 2 weeks.

How can I forestall getting mattress bugs whereas touring?

To forestall bringing house mattress bugs, first do an inspection if you arrive at your vacation spot of journey simply as you’ll when you had been checking for mattress bugs at house, Dr. Williamson advises. Verify the headboards and mattress edges. If doable, place your baggage on a dresser or desk as a substitute of the ground, and dangle your garments slightly than placing them in a drawer.

While you get house, test your baggage for indicators of mattress bugs and unpack your garments out of your baggage immediately into the washer. If you’re unable to clean your garments if you return house, put them in a sealed plastic bag till you’ll be able to wash them. Remember to wash on the warmest setting.

How can I forestall children from bringing mattress bugs house from faculty?

“First, don’t panic,” says Dr. Williamson. “Mattress bugs are frequent and aren’t dangerous.”

Subsequent, educate your baby and household about mattress bugs and what to search for, from pores and skin bites to crevices of their rooms, so that you could monitor mattress bugs as a household crew. Remind children it’s best to not share hats, sweaters and different garments objects in the event that they don’t need to get itchy bugs of their beds.

Then test all objects coming into the house the place mattress bugs would possibly conceal – like backpacks and lunchboxes, for instance. Wash your baby’s garments and backpack that has been in a college setting. Final, make sure that your private home is a much less best place for mattress bugs to cover. Seal cracks. Decide up litter which may make for good hiding areas.

Backpacks and different objects are finest saved exterior of the bed room and away from areas with a lot of crevices for mattress bugs to cover, such because the sofa or couch chair. Superb places are closets, washrooms or the storage, if away from garments and bedding, Dr. Williamson says.

What are pure methods to forestall or take away mattress bugs?

For prevention, an important factor is to be told so you understand what to search for must you discover mattress bugs in your house. Early detection makes it simpler to get them out of the house. Along with the good journey ideas, you possibly can think about masking unused mattresses and field springs in your house with plastic protecting covers. Lowering litter and vacuuming often additionally assist to scale back the danger of mattress bug infestation.

For remedy, begin with encasing the mattress, pillow and mattress body the place the mattress bugs had been discovered. Look on-line or in shops for encasements marketed for mattress bug or allergy management. Then vacuum all the house. Decide up any litter. Vacuum in cracks and crevices and fill within the gaps the place you possibly can.  You possibly can vacuum some talcum powder to scale back the danger that mattress bugs will crawl out of the vacuum. Dispose the vacuum cleaner filter and luggage in a tightly sealed plastic bag. Wash all bedding and garments with scorching water and dry on scorching. For full remedy of mattress bugs from the house, name knowledgeable exterminator and don’t apply chemical substances to your private home your self.

For extra well being and wellness assets from the pediatric specialists at CHOC, join the Youngsters Well being e-newsletter.