Bedbugs in the baby's room, how to manage?

Terrible parasites in homes, bedbugs are small insects that can infest mattresses and reproduce very quickly. Bedbug stings and bites can itch and create discomfort for some people. Are babies affected? Are they more at risk from a bedbug infestation? What treatment to relieve them? Is there a risk of bacterial infections? We take stock.

Bed bugs, what are they? What is their size?

Bed bugs are small, oval-shaped insects about the size of an apple seed. Visible to the naked eye, these parasites are brown insects oscillating between red and brown. The main particularity of this insect is that it reproduces at a very high speed. These will hide in the mattresses or in the furniture of the house (dressers, etc.). Feeding on blood, bed bugs will take it from humans at night (bed bugs cannot tolerate daylight). On the other hand, bed bugs are not vectors of disease and do not live permanently on the body (like the parasites of scabies, for example). To know also: bed bugs do not fly and do not jump. They sneak into objects and clothing, allowing them to move from one place to another.

Eggs, feces, blood... How do I know if my child's mattress is infested with bedbugs? What are the signs ?

Bed bugs are a scourge that is unfortunately increasingly present in large cities. What factors determine if you are dealing with a bed bug infestation? The first element that should concern you is the appearance of traces of blood or brown stains on your mattress. These are bed bug feces stains. These stains can also be found on the slats of the bed, the seams of the mattress or the slits of the box spring. Skirting boards or corners of the wallpaper can also be affected. Indeed, bed bugs usually hide in places near bedding. Whether on your mattress or that of your child, this kind of sign should alert you to a bedbug infestation. On the other hand, it is not easy to detect bed bug eggs, because they are the size of a grain of salt, which makes them very invisible to the naked eye.

When do bedbug pimples appear in babies?

Once the mattress is infested, bedbugs will begin to bite the occupants of the bed. It is good to know that children have no greater predisposition to being bitten than adults. On the other hand, babies will be lying down more often, especially for naps, and may therefore have a greater probability of being bitten by a bed bug.

Bedbug bites in babies are characterized by small red marks, similar to mosquito pimples, that will appear on the skin on exposed body parts while they sleep. Generally, the bites are multiple and are therefore easily seen on the skin.

Bite, sting… Are bed bugs a danger for babies?

In most cases, bed bug bites are not dangerous for babies and children. Only some of them will have allergic reactions to bedbug bites, which will cause marks and itching. It is this itching that can have consequences, because by dint of scratching, children can create lesions on their skin and lead to bacterial infections. In very rare cases, bedbug bites can cause hives on the skin.

Treatment: how to treat bed bug bites and stings in babies?

If you have the slightest doubt about potential bed bug bites on your child, do not hesitate to contact your pediatrician, who will be best able to make a diagnosis. If your child is scratching too much, the doctor may prescribe topical steroids that will calm the itching to prevent scratching.

When it comes to getting rid of a bed bug infestation, you're going to have to act fast to prevent the spread. It is not recommended to act alone, because the majority of products offered on the market are not very effective. In addition, you have to be very careful, an urban legend has it that talcum powder can kill bedbugs. This has never been proven, and talcum powder can also be dangerous for children. If you are a tenant, quickly contact your landlord who has a legal obligation to manage the infestation. If you are the owner, you must call on a disinfection specialist (make sure that the specialist has a permit and a certificate from the Ministry of the Environment). The exterminator will use a chemical treatment, and you will have to leave your accommodation for several hours.

Invasion of bed bugs at home: should I remove my child from the crèche?

Can proliferate quickly in other environments, does a bed bug infestation force you to temporarily forgo crèche or other childcare? Not necessarily, but in this case, you must take stock of the situation with the establishment that welcomes your child. This will allow him to be more vigilant when your child comes. On your side, it is recommended to put his clothes in the dryer before he goes to the crèche, in order to prevent him from taking his personal effects.