How to treat bed bug bites?
Bed bugs are annoying little pests. They sneak into your bed, your furniture, even your carpet, and while you sleep or watch TV, they bite you. The next morning, you wonder why you’re covered in itchy rashes…
Is your body covered in itchy rashes and you think you’re dealing with bedbugs? Here are our tips for identifying bedbug bites, and how to treat them.
1. What is a bed bug?
Bedbugs are small, flat, oval-shaped insects. They have no wings and rely on us to transport them from place to place. Bedbugs are reddish-brown in color and can measure between 1 and 7 millimeters.
They feed on human or animal blood and are mostly active at night, feeding on their victims while they sleep.
The bedbug does not have a stinger, so it cannot sting. However, she can bite! The bedbug bites to pierce the skin so that it can suck blood from its host.
In order not to be disturbed during her meal, she secretes an anesthetic liquid just before biting. His victim will not feel anything during the bite.
3. Where are bedbugs found?
Bed bugs are more common in establishments that house a lot of people. However, they can also enter your home if brought there. Here is the list of places where bed bugs are most often found:
- hotels
- hospitals
- homeless shelters
- college dorms
- apartment complexes
- business offices
Bed bugs like to hide where you sleep. If you suspect their presence, look for them. You may not see the insects themselves, but you may notice tiny black dots (their droppings) or small red spots, signs that they have bitten you. Here’s where to look for them:
- frame and headboard
- mattress and box spring
- pillow
- in crevices and seams of furniture
- in carpets, baseboards or under furniture
- in curtains or other linens
Some people will have no reaction to a bed bug bite. Those with bite symptoms are likely to experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- a bite with a red, swollen area and a dark red center
- bites aligned or clustered in a small area
- appearance of blisters at the site of the bite
Bites can appear anywhere on the body. Most often they occur on areas of skin that are exposed during sleep, such as the face, arms, legs, and hands.
6. What are the symptoms of a bedbug bite?
Symptoms of bed bug bites do not always appear immediately after the bite. They sometimes take a few days to declare themselves. It should also be noted that bedbugs do not come to feed every night. In fact, they can go several days without eating.
Bedbug bites are often very itchy and you may feel a burning sensation on your skin for several days after being bitten. A secondary infection can develop if you have a habit of scratching.
7. Are bedbug bites dangerous?
Bed bug bites are more annoying than they are dangerous or deadly. Indeed, bed bugs do not transmit diseases to their hosts.
In addition, the symptoms caused by the bites usually disappear within one or two weeks. However, try as much as possible not to scratch to avoid infections.
In the meantime, use an anti-itch cream to protect yourself from itching. Additionally, take an antihistamine to help reduce the itching and burning sensation.
Ice can help numb the skin and reduce your urge to scratch. In case of infection, use an antiseptic cream or lotion.
9. Baking soda to relieve bedbug bites
Baking soda baths can also relieve you of the symptoms caused by bedbug bites, especially if the itching is intense. Pour about ½ cup into a lukewarm bath, and soak for a few minutes.
You can also use baking soda to naturally cure sand flea bites.
10. Calamine lotion to relieve bedbug bites
In addition to relieving itching, calamine lotion will help dry up blisters that may form on bedbug bites.
Cleanse your skin well, then brush the bites with calamine lotion using a cotton ball. Let dry well before putting on your clothes, to avoid staining them.
Now that you know how to cure a sting, quickly read these tips and tricks: Natural bed bug repellent.