How to Treat Bed Bug Bites

Bed bugs are a nuisance insect that hides in warm and cozy places like beds, chairs, and clothes. Bed bugs will bite their hosts at night, leaving small bites that, while not dangerous, should be treated immediately to prevent unwanted symptoms and potential allergic reactions. In order not to get bitten by bedbugs later, you need to learn how to get rid of bed bugs completely.

Table of Contents

Identifying Bed Bug Bites

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Examine the bite carefully. Bed bug bites often resemble those of other insects, including mosquitoes. They are raised red bumps or blisters. Bedbug bites are difficult to distinguish from those of other insects; not even a doctor can tell from the outside. ^{[1] X Research Resources James Studdiford MD, Kathryn Conniff MD, Kathryn P Trayces MD, Bedbug Invasion, American Family Physician, October 1, 2012 86 (7) 653-658}

However, bed bugs have very characteristic bites. Although some bites occur individually, most bites appear in rows of 3-5 marks (such as “breakfast, lunch, and dinner”) or a cluster of red marks (a so-called “breakfast”). aphid dermatitis). The bites usually appear in a zigzag pattern, but can appear in a straight line if the bed bug bites in the morning.
Bites usually appear on open skin areas such as the neck, face, legs, and arms. Contrary to mosquito bites, bedbug bites rarely appear behind the knees or in skin folds.
The bump or rash usually heals on its own in a week or two. However, although an individual bite or a cluster of bites may heal, if you don’t root out bedbug germs, you may continue to be bitten. As long as there are bed bugs, they will try to reach you.

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Notice when the bite occurs. For example, consider if you see a bite after waking up but not before going to bed. However, this can be difficult to determine because reaction times vary widely from person to person. Symptoms of a bite can appear at any time, from a few hours to more than a week after being bitten.

Bed bug bites have a long incubation period. Visible signs of a bite (red and itchy bumps) can appear up to 10 days after you are first bitten.

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Check the home for signs of bed bugs. Start where you sleep. Bed bugs like to be around humans so they can suck the warm blood from humans. The obvious sign is red spots on the bed sheets. These red spots can be caused by bed bugs being crushed to death after sucking blood, or from a bite on your body when the bedbug has just finished feeding. ^{[2] X Trusted Source American Academy of Dermatpogy Go to Source}

Check the entire mattress, including the lining and seams. Look for sleeping bed bugs, shells, carcasses (their exoskeleton) and droppings (looks like small black spots or stains). Check sheets, pillowcases, as well as pillows.
It is difficult to see and catch bedbugs alive. They are very small brown insects with wide oval bodies. They are very good at hiding. However, looking for bed bugs is the only way to determine that they have indeed bitten you. ^{[3] X Trusted Source American Academy of Dermatpogy Go to Source}

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Go to the doctor for a checkup. You can see a doctor for a diagnosis if there are no signs of bed bugs found in your bed and the source of the bite or rash cannot be determined. However, there is a high chance that your doctor will not be able to accurately diagnose whether you have been bitten by bedbugs, as the symptoms look quite similar to other insect bites and dermatological conditions. However, your doctor can reassure you that bed bugs pose very little danger to human health.

Your doctor may prescribe a temporary corticosteroid ointment to help relieve itching and inflammation. These ointments are stronger than the ones you buy over the counter.

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Call an exterminator. This is the surest way to determine if you’ve been bitten by a bed bug. A pest control service will look in your home and be able to determine if there is an infestation in your home.

The exterminator will know what to look for and can take action to keep bed bugs out of your home and prevent future bites.
Household bug sprays will not tackle a bedbug infestation. ^{[4] X Trusted Source American Academy of Dermatpogy Go to the source} To be sure to get rid of bed bugs in your home, get professional extermination services.

Treat Bed Bug Bites

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Wash the bite with soap and water. Wash the bitten area with mild soap and water; Use soap and water just enough to wet your hands. Rub soap on your hands to create a rich lather. Rub soap bubbles on the injured skin. Continue in this way to cover the entire bitten area. Let stand and do not wash. Let the soap bubbles dry on the bite. You should do it right away to relieve the itch. ^{[5] X Trusted Source American Academy of Dermatpogy Go to Source}

Washing the bite with soapy water can relieve itching and prevent skin infections.

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Use home remedies to relieve itching. You can try several methods to soothe the itch from the bite. All of these are products that you probably already have.

Make a paste from baking soda and water. Slowly add a small amount of water to the baking soda and stir until a paste is obtained. Rub a thick layer of the mixture onto bedbug bites. Leave the mixture on the rash for an hour or more before rinsing it off with warm water.
Soak a cotton ball in lemon juice, St. John’s Wort or witch hazel, which are both natural astringents. Dab a cotton ball on the rash to dry it and treat itchiness.
Rub aloe vera gel on the bug bite. Use 100% pure aloe vera gel. Aloe vera has antibacterial and antifungal properties that help prevent bacterial infections caused by scratching.

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Apply an over-the-counter steroid anti-itch cream. Creams containing hydrocortisone or cortisone, such as Cortaid, can reduce inflammation and itching. You can buy 1% hydrocortisone cream from a drugstore or pharmacy. Your doctor can tell you which creams and brands are right for you. ^{[6] X Trusted Source American Academy of Dermatpogy Go to Source}

Follow the directions on the package to apply the cream properly. The cream is very smooth and does not cause side effects if used for a short time (about a week).
You can also use a stronger corticosteroid cream with your doctor’s prescription.

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Use calamine lotion. When applied to the bite site, calamine lotion helps relieve some of the symptoms caused by itching. It will also help dry up the rash and protect the skin while it heals. ^{[7] X Research Sources}^{[8] X Research Sources}

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Take an antihistamine. Oral antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), can help control allergies (swelling and rash) caused by bites. ^{[9] X Trusted Source FamilyDoctor.org Go to Source}

Use according to the instructions on the package with the appropriate dosage.
Be aware that Benadryl can cause drowsiness, so you should avoid driving while taking it.
You can also use an over-the-counter antihistamine cream to apply to the affected area.

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Take pain relievers. If the bite causes discomfort and pain, you can take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain reliever, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin. Talk to your doctor about these options if you’re not sure what your medication will do and aren’t sure if it’s right for you. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Ibuprofen (Advil) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works to reduce hormones that cause inflammation, pain, and fever.
Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic Acid) is an anagestic drug that relieves pain by inhibiting pain signals in the brain. It is also antipyretic, an antipyretic. However, this medicine is not for use in children.
Acetaminophen (Tylep) is safer for children and works like aspirin. However, it is not an NSAID, and will not prevent inflammation.

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Consult your doctor. See your doctor if the bite doesn’t go away like the natural course of a bed bug bite (one to two weeks). You should see your doctor if you have any of the following: ^{[11] X Trusted Source American Academy of Dermatpogy Go to source}

Many bites
Blistering
Signs of a skin infection (sore or watery)
Skin allergy (red and swollen skin or rash).
Bed bug bites, like all insect bites, can become infected by scratching a lot, because many of the disease-causing bacteria are located underneath the nail. If infected, the bite will become red and swollen, painful. painful and possibly purulent. Usually you won’t have a fever unless an important area of skin is infected. If you have any of the above symptoms, you should get medical attention right away due to a bacterial infection. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics, or if the infection is mild, you can buy an antiseptic without a prescription. ^{[12] X Trusted Source American Academy of Dermatpogy Go to Source}^{[13] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}^{[14] X Research Source GJ Goddard, R DeShazo, Bedbugs and Clinical Consequences from Their Bites, Journal of the American Medical Association April 1, 2009 301 (13) 1358-1366}
If you have a severe allergy, your doctor may inject an antihistamine, corticosteroid, or epinephrine (adrenaline). ^{[15] X Trusted Source American Academy of Dermatpogy Go to Source}^{[16] X Research Source}

Advice

Note that medical treatment is not strictly necessary for bedbug bites. ^{[17] X Research Sources} From a medical point of view, bed bugs pose very little danger to humans. In addition, there is no evidence yet that there is no treatment that will slow the natural course of a bite (one to several weeks), as there are no studies on this yet.
If you see bed bugs during your vacation, especially in a tropical climate, be sure to wash your clothes in boiling water before you leave. This will keep you from bringing bed bugs home.

Warning

You can treat bites, although they go away on their own in just a week or two. However, if the bed bug infestation is not addressed, you will likely continue to be bitten. ^{[18] X Trusted Source American Academy of Dermatpogy Go to Source}

Steps

Identifying Bed Bug Bites

Treat Bed Bug Bites

Advice

Warning

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