Bed bugs are small, blood-sucking insects that infest homes, hotels, and other places where people sleep. While they are commonly associated with bedding, they can also be found in other parts of the home, including carpets, furniture, and even hair. Yes, bed bugs can infest your hair, causing discomfort and potential health problems. In this article, we will explore the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for bed bugs in hair.
Table of Contents
What are bed bugs?
Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals. They are usually found in mattresses, box springs, and other bedding materials. Bed bugs are active at night and can quickly spread from one location to another. They are excellent hitchhikers and can easily travel on clothing, luggage, and other personal items.
How do bed bugs end up in hair?
Bed bugs can end up in hair in a few different ways. One of the most common ways is by hitchhiking on a person’s clothing or personal items. For example, if you sit on a couch or lay in a bed that has bed bugs, they can easily crawl onto your clothing or hair. Additionally, bed bugs can infest hair that is not washed regularly, as they are attracted to the warmth and carbon dioxide that humans emit.
WHAT DO BED BUGS LOOK LIKE?
Sometimes other bugs are mistaken for bed bugs. This is because most bugs are small and look like each other:
So, first, you must identify bed bugs. They are oval-shaped, flatted, and 1 to 5 mm-sized creatures which have no wings. They can’t fly or jump.
WHERE CAN BED BUGS LIVE?
Bed bugs feed by blood and their menu consists of mammalians like humans, bats, cats or dogs. If they have an option as a human, they do not prefer to feed on dogs or cats.
The star of a bed bug menu is always human. For bed bugs, human is just like restaurants and when they are done with their dinner, they will leave the restaurant and go back to their home.
So, where are their hosts in the house?
WHERE DO BED BUGS HIDE?
For bed bugs, the most important thing in choosing a host is the possibility of hiding. So, they prefer to stay in cracks, holes, or furniture.
Inside the pillows or under the beds and behind the pictures are also possible hiding places for bed bugs.
Most times, you will need a flashlight to look for them around and when you find them, you’ll probably see tens of bed bugs staying together in their hosts.
DO BED BUGS LIVE IN YOUR HAIR?
If you mean spending time in your hair, then the answer is yes. But if you mean hosting in your hair while saying “living”, no, they do not live in your hair.
They do not live even on your body or clothes. Bed bugs just feed on you and turn back to hide in their hosts.
WHICH BUGS LIVE IN YOUR HAIR?
The most known one is, surely lice. They feed by blood on humans and the main host of lice is the human head. They can easily jump from one head to another and they also lay their eggs in your head.
Also, ticks and mites can live in human hair too.
HOW DO BED BUGS GET IN YOUR HAIR?
They usually feed at night and they need you not to move for feeding well. So, bed bugs usually feed on you, while you’re sleeping.
This means that they will be moving on your body while you’re sleeping, and your head may be a station during their journey on your body.
But your hair won’t be a destination and if you find a bed bug in your hair, you probably have a bed bug that couldn’t run away when you wake up.
DO BED BUGS LAY EGGS IN YOUR HAIR?
As you see above, bed bugs won’t lay eggs in your hair. Because they always lay in their hosts which are safer than anywhere in the house.
There is no way that you will find bed bug eggs in your hair.
WHAT TO DO AFTER FINDING BED BUGS IN YOUR HAIR?
Treatment options for bed bugs in hair
There are several treatment options for bed bugs in hair, including:
- Washing your hair with hot water and soap
- Using a fine-toothed comb to remove bed bugs and eggs
- Applying essential oils, such as tea tree oil or lavender oil, to the scalp
- Seeking professional pest control services to eliminate the bed bug infestation
- Using over-the-counter insecticide shampoos or spraysIt is important to note that bed bug infestations can be difficult to eliminate, so it may take several treatments to completely eradicate them from your hair and home.
How to prevent bed bugs in hair
Preventing bed bugs in hair can be challenging, but there are a few things you can do to reduce your risk of infestation:
- Wash your hair regularly with hot water and soap
- Vacuum your home regularly, paying close attention to areas where bed bugs may hide, such as carpets, furniture, and bedding
- Use protective covers on your mattress and box spring
- Inspect hotel rooms and other accommodations for signs of bed bugs before staying
- Avoid sharing hats, combs, or other hair accessories with others
Natural remedies for bed bugs in hair
Several natural remedies may help to alleviate the symptoms of bed bugs in hair. These include:
- Applying a paste of baking soda and water to the scalp to relieve itching and irritation
- Using neem oil, which has insecticidal properties, to treat the infestation
- Applying a mixture of vinegar and water to the hair and scalp to repel bed bugs
It is important to note that while these remedies may provide temporary relief, they are not a substitute for professional pest control services.
When to seek medical attention for bed bugs in hair
In most cases, bed bugs in hair do not require medical attention. However, if you experience severe itching or a rash, or if you develop an infection as a result of scratching, seek medical attention. Additionally, if you have a compromised immune system or are allergic to bed bug bites, you may be at a higher risk for complications and should seek medical attention if you suspect a bed bug infestation.
CONCLUSİON
Can bed bugs live in your hair? Not! They won’t host anywhere on your body. Because bed bugs always have hosts for hiding in your home like cracks, furniture, or holes and they will live in those places.
If you find bed bugs in your hair, this means that they fed on you recently and couldn’t run away before you notice them.
Take it seriously and wash your hair, but remember that finding bed bugs in your hair is not the real problem. The real problem is to find them anywhere in your house.
FAQs
- Can bed bugs jump from one person’s hair to another?
- No, bed bugs cannot jump or fly. They can only crawl, which means that they can only infest hair if they come into direct contact with it.
- Can bed bugs in hair cause hair loss?
- No, bed bugs do not cause hair loss. However, excessive scratching and irritation from bed bug bites can lead to hair breakage and thinning.