Don't Let The Bed Bugs Bite
Sadie Bedgegood
"Good night, sleep tight". When you have bed bugs in your home, this simple sentiment can seem little more than a faraway dream.
Bed bugs have a history that's hundreds of years old. As far back as medieval times and classical Greek history, there are documents of these creatures.
It's certainly uncomfortable trying to sleep in an infested bed, but the real discomfort happens when you wake up. The bites can cause redness, swelling and itch, but bed bugs are not able to transmit disease. Perhaps the greatest amount of grief comes with the shameful stigma associated with having bed bugs in the home. Many people believe that a bed bug infestation is detrimental to a relationship and may cause psychological strain.
There is no question that bed bugs are the cause of both mental and physical anguish. The mystery lies in the best way to deal with the bugs and treat their bites.
Bed Bug Bites
The bite of a bed bug will first appear as a welt, not unlike a mosquito bite. This will eventually become a red mark. The marks last for up to five days and, unlike the random appearance of mosquito bites, will appear in an orderly pattern.
Particular Characteristics of Bed Bug Bites:
* Bites appear in an orderly pattern
* Irritation, inflammation and destruction of localized tissues
* Immediate or delayed allergic reactions
Bed bugs bites will not transmit harmful diseases and, aside from the itching and inflammation, they hold no medical significance. Immediate treatment for the affected areas involve nothing more than a thorough washing with soap and water. Try not to scratch, as this can lead to an infection requiring more advanced medical aid. It's also recommended that you treat the affected area with ice or an application of herbal remedies to help speed the healing process.
Herbal Applications
Herbal remedies can be successfully used to treat pain and itching, and help to control infection. They are also used to help improve symptoms, correct imbalances, increase energy and help boost the immune system. Of course, it's important to keep your body strong to promote better overall health and quality of life.
Depending on the status of the bed bug bite, Chinese herbs are advantageous when used in conjunction with other herbal remedies. Herbal treatments used with an optimized herbal combination are highly effective to treat illnesses and address symptoms.
The following herbs may be used as a treatment for bed bug bites:
Wild Plantain: Known as the band-aid plant, pig's ear and ribwort, this common herb can be found growing wild in parks, playgrounds and even driveways. To characterize this herb, look for a series of five parallel veins that run on each leaf. Narrow leaf plantain has longer, thinner leaves and a small flower head that resembles a flying saucer. Broad leaf plantain has long and thin leaves, but a taller seed head. The seeds and leaves of some members of the plantain family may be eaten as food and used as medicinal treatments.
Mud: The simplest and oldest poultice known to mankind is plain old mud. A bed bug bite can be soothed with powdered white clay that has been mixed with herbal tea. Clay can be successfully stored for a prolonged time, as it is unlikely to contain fungal spores. Painful, severely itchy bites caused by bed bugs and other insects may also be treated with bland starchy substances such as arrowroot powder, grated potato and mallow root, or finely ground grains such as oatmeal or rice.
Poultice of Fresh Herbs: The preparation of this type of poultice is a little more complicated than other herbal treatments. You'll need to chew the fresh herbs and apply them directly to the bed bug bite. Use an adhesive bandage or large leaf to cover the poultice and keep it in place, for maximum effect.
Some of the more popular choices for fresh herb poultices are:
* Chickweed, or Stellaria media
* Comfrey - Symphytum uplandica x
* Wild Geranium - Geranium maculatum
* Wild mallow - Malva neglecta
* Yellow dock - Rumex species
Natural Leaves: The best natural leaves to treat bed bug bites are those that come from maple, oak, willow and hazel trees. If you can't positively identify these leaves, don't chew them. The safest and most easily recognized are the leaves of maple and oak trees. Do not chew leaves with a slick or shiny appearance, and don't use the leaf as a treatment if you're not sure where it came from. If you chew a leaf and it tastes bitter, spit it out right away.
If bed bugs bite, you can still have a good night. Try one of these remedies to help take the itch and pain out of the bite.
Author Sadie Bedgegood is a contributor to a variety of popular web magazines, on http://lerse.com/ family life and http://nugot.com/ home interior subjects.
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