In this guide, we shall discuss a few home remedies for bed bug bites so as to treat them quickly and facilitate faster healing.
What do bed bug bites look like?
The most common hosts of bed bugs are humans, but, in their absence, they won’t shy from feeding on your pets, or other mammals/birds. Bed bugs typically come out to feed at night time. So majority of the bed bug bites you will experience will be at the time of sleeping. Needless to say, this can greatly disturb your sleep quality leading to anxiety and higher stress levels in the morning. While bed bug bites do not cause any visible reaction in majority of their victims, in some allergic people, it can lead to several symptoms. Typically bed bug bites symptoms include:
- Red itchy welts or lesions on the face, arms, legs, neck, upper back and other exposed body parts.
- The bites or lesions are usually present in rows of three, humorously termed as ‘breakfast, lunch and dinner’ for the bed bugs.
- Unlike mosquito or flea bites, bed bug bites do not have a red spot in the center
- Bed bug bites sometimes cause an intense itch.
- In some people who are sensitive to the protein in saliva of the bed bugs, there may be an allergic reaction in the form of hives or lumps filled with pus, blood or fluid.
Now, let us consider some ways to treat bed bug bites.
How do I treat bed bug bites? What are the best home remedies for bed bug bites?
You really do not need to specifically treat bed bug bites since, in majority of the cases, they resolve on their own. Still, the following precautions and home remedies for bed bug bites can help prevent secondary skin infections:
- Keep the skin clean.
- If you are itching intensely, wash the area clean with some warm water and antibacterial soap.
- Apply some ice to the bite site. This can help reduce swelling and also stop pain and inflammation and is the best way to treat bed bug bites.
- Apply Neosporin® to the bite. This can prevent skin infections and is the most effective of all home remedies for bed bug bites.
- For extremely itchy bites, take an oral antihistamine like Benadryl.
- If the bites do not clear within a week’s time, do ensure that you have your doctor look at them. You might need prescription strength antibiotics or steroids (topical or systemic) to deal with the scratching and infection.
Naturally, one of the best home remedies for bed bug bites is to deal with the infestation first. Failure to treat bed bugs will simply lead to more sleepless nights and itchiness.
Are bed bug bites dangerous?
Bed bug bites can be annoying to the person suffering, but apart from that, they are not dangerous. As mentioned above, sleepless nights owing to bed bug bites can lead to irritation and stress. Likewise, scratching the bites can lead to secondary infections that may be harder to treat.
How did I get bed bug infestation?
Bed bugs are notorious travelers who enter your homes from your luggage, clothing, infested second hand furniture or beds, books, shoes etc. Bed bugs are known to inhabit hotels, trains, buses, day care or assisted living facilities and even hospitals.
How do I know if I have an infestation?
- You will notice welts and lesions on your skin as well as on your family members.
- You will see tell-tale bed bug signs such as discarded exoskeleton as well as fecal matter around the bedding and mattress. This is in form of reddish/brownish stains.
- Some people also report a sweet/obnoxious almond like odor.
- Bed bugs hide in cracks and crevices around the sleeping areas. These include places on the furniture, around the corners of mattresses, electrical outlets etc.
If you suspect you have a bed bug infestation, it is best to call professional exterminators or follow some of the treatment methods described on this website. These can help you get rid of bed bugs once and for all, rather than simply making repeated efforts to treat bed bug bites.
