Like most insect bites, cockroach bites cause the skin to react by swelling up and becoming itchy. The bite from a cockroach can last up to a week.
Generally speaking, roach bites may be a nuisance, but they are not dangerous. Unlike mosquitoes, ticks, and other insects, roaches do not transmit diseases through their bites. They do, however, carry germs and bacteria that they can spread wherever they travel, so it's best to get rid of them as quickly as possible.
Based on the physiology of their mouthparts, cockroach bites may appear as red, raised bumps on the skin—similar to bed bug bites or mosquito bites but slightly larger. They have two small mandibles that operate like a sideways version of a mammal's mouth.
A cockroach bite is similar to a bed bug bite, but a bit bigger and bright red. The bite of cockroach is similar to other insect bites when it comes to itchiness and swelling. But, if the bite is infected, it will swell up largely and might have pus.
Cockroach bites tend to be a bit larger than other pest bites. The bite will be very itchy. Try not to scratch it, because it will make it worse and can cause other problems. Cockroach bites are normally accompanied by redness, swelling and skin rashes surrounding the bite area.
Thus, sleeping with the light on can keep cockroaches away from your bedroom. When you leave your lights on, the cockroaches will not even try to come out. Predators are also attracted by the light and will begin to actively hunt down the cockroaches when it's bright in the room.
Wash the bite site with soap and water, and apply an antiseptic. Apply a cold compress or calamine lotion to the bite site to help reduce local pain and swelling. You can also take an antihistamine to relieve the swelling and itching. These medicines should be readily stocked in your DIY first aid kit.
Typical cockroach allergy symptoms include: Coughing. Nasal congestion. Skin rash.
Because cockroaches eat a wide range of food, including rotting garbage, it is believed that they spread a number of diseases to humans including salmonella and gastroenteritis. Recent studies have indicated cockroaches can also cause allergies.
Apply to the affected area calamine lotion, baking soda paste, or 0.5% or 1% hydrocortisone cream. Do this several times a day until your symptoms go away. Take an anti-itch medicine (antihistamine) by mouth to reduce itching.
Cockroaches emerge from their indoor hiding spots at night to seek out food, and while doing so, they sometimes crawl over sleeping humans.
The World Health Organization also advises against crushing them, for reasons of hygiene. According to the body, which classes cockroaches as “unhygienic scavengers in human settlements”, squashing them can spread bacteria into the environment that can lead to asthma, allergies and illnesses.
Cockroaches carry a host of diseases
If you touch a cockroach, you risk becoming infected with some serious diseases, including bacteria that cause dysentery. According to the World Health Organization, cockroaches commonly transmit these diseases to humans: Salmonellosis. Typhoid Fever.
From most to least sedating, these products include diphenhydramine (Benadryl)), cetirizine (Zyrtec), loratadine (Claritin), and fexofenadine (Allegra). Keep in mind that Benadryl must be taken every six hours to be effective.
A conclusive diagnosis can be made only by skin testing for allergies. The physician scratches or pricks the skin with a miniscule amount of cockroach allergen extract. Redness, swelling, or an itchy rash at the test site on your skin suggests you have an allergy to cockroaches.
Cockroaches Cause Rashes
If a cockroach crawls on you at night, you could wake up with a rash on your skin. This is due to an allergic reaction. These rashes aren't dangerous but they can be unsightly, particularly if they appear on your face and neck.
Exposure to cockroaches can make allergy, asthma and/or eczema symptoms worse in some people. To avoid these problems follow the above steps to decrease or eliminate exposure.
Bepanthen Antiseptic Cream is a multi-purpose antiseptic cream that helps protect damaged skin from infection and also assists in the treatment of cuts, abrasions, insect bites and stings, and sunburn.
Borax is a readily-available laundry product that's excellent for killing roaches. For best results, combine equal parts borax and white table sugar. Dust the mixture any place you've seen roach activity. When the roaches consume the borax, it will dehydrate them and kill them rapidly.
Smells that roaches hate: a quickfire summary
Oregano, rosemary, mint, eucalyptus, lemongrass and catnip are great herby options. Citrus oils work brilliantly too.
Keep a Cold Home
Turning up the AC may not look good on your energy bill but at least your house will be cockroach-free. There's a reason why we see roaches in the summer, and they vanish during the winter – cockroaches hate the cold. Always turn up the AC.
It's a fact that cockroaches are afraid of humans and other mammals or animals that are bigger than them. They see us as predators and that fear triggers their instinct to scatter away. However, they dislike strong and distinctive scents such as citrus, peppermint, lavender and vinegar.