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How do you know if you have a bedbug bite?
What happens if you get a bedbug bite?
Can bedbug bites cause a rash?
Do bedbug bites go away?
Do bedbugs have a bite pattern?
Do bedbugs bite if you sleep?
Bedbug bites can be raised and itchy. They're often in a line or grouped together. On white skin, bedbug bites usually look red. On black or brown skin, they may look purple and may be harder to see. Some people have a reaction to the bites. They can be very itchy and there may be painful swelling.
- Overview
- What do bedbug bites look like?
- What’s the best way to treat bedbug bites?
- How should you treat bedbug bites on a baby?
- How can you tell if you have bedbugs in your home?
- How to get rid of bedbugs in your home
- How to prevent bedbug bites
- Bedbug bites vs. other insect bites
- Bedbug bites on pets
- Takeaway
Bedbugs are tiny insects that feed on blood from humans or animals. Over-the-counter treatments can help relieve itching and inflammation.
Bedbugs can live in your bed, furniture, carpet, clothing, and other belongings and are most active at night.
Bedbugs typically get into your home after an overnight trip — by hitching a ride in your luggage or clothing. Or they can enter your home if you bring in secondhand furniture that’s infested. They can also travel from one apartment to the next if a building or hotel has an infestation.
Keep reading to learn about bedbug bites, their appearance, and how to treat and prevent them.
Bedbugs excrete anesthetic before feeding on people, so you won’t feel it when they bite you. It may take a few days to develop symptoms.
According to Pest Control Technology, approximately 30 to 60% of people never develop a reaction to a bedbug bite. When symptoms do develop, the bites may be:
•red and swollen, with a dark spot at the center of each bite (they may also look like a hive or welt)
•arranged in lines or clusters, with multiple bites grouped together
•itchy
•burning
In most cases, bedbug bites get better on their own. To relieve symptoms, you can try:
•Apply an over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription steroid cream to decrease inflammation and itching.
•Take an oral antihistamine to reduce itching and burning.
•Use an over-the-counter pain reliever to relieve swelling and pain.
•Take a Benadryl before sleep to decrease itching or have a doctor prescribe a stronger antihistamine.
In addition to OTC medications, several home remedies may help relieve symptoms of bedbug bites. Try applying one or more of the following:
Washing the bites with soap and water will help treat bedbug bites on your baby or child. For additional relief, consider applying a cold compress, OTC anti-itch creams, or low-strength steroids. Make sure to cut the baby’s nails short so they can’t scratch their skin.
If your child is old enough to understand your instructions, ask them not to scratch the bites. To prevent scratching, it may help to trim your child’s nails and cover the bites with a bandage.
If you suspect there are bedbugs in your home, look for signs of them in your bed and other areas. They usually hide during the day in:
•household cracks or crevices
•walls
•luggage
•bedclothes
•mattresses
To contain and eliminate a bedbug infestation, it helps to:
•Vacuum and steam-clean your floors, mattresses, furniture, and appliances.
•Launder your linens, drapes, and clothing using the hottest settings of your washing machine and dryer.
•Seal items that can’t be laundered in plastic bags and store them for several days at 0°F (-17°C) or for several months at warmer temperatures.
•Heat items that can be safely heated to 115°F (46°C).
•Fill gaps around your baseboards and cracks in furniture with caulking.
Bedbugs travel from place to place by hiding in items, such as furniture, clothing, blankets, and luggage.
You can take some steps to help prevent bedbugs:
•If you’re concerned about bedbugs, you can decontaminate luggage, clothes, and belongings upon returning home using mechanical methods (brushing, vacuuming, heating, washing, or freezing).
•Use luggage racks when you travel to keep your clothes off the floor and away from hotel furniture.
•Keep your suitcase away from your bed when you return home and run clothes through a dryer cycle before putting them away.
•Store your clothing in vacuum-sealed bags when traveling.
Bedbug bites vs. fleas
Bedbug bites and fleabites can cause red bumps on your skin, although flea bites are typically smaller. Both can be itchy. When fleas bite you, they typically bite the lower half of your body or warm, moist areas around joints. This includes: •feet •ankles or legs •armpits •the inside of elbows or knees Bedbugs tend to bite the upper parts of your body. Bedbug bites also occur at night and can look like hives. But later in the day, they get smaller and look more like a pimple. You can also check for signs of the bugs in your home. Fleas tend to live on family pets and in carpets or upholstered furniture, while bedbugs often hide around beds. A dermatologist can examine the bites and help determine the cause. Learn more about the difference between a flea bite and a bedbug bite.
Bedbug bites vs. mosquito bites
Bedbug and mosquito bites can be red, swollen, and itchy. If you have a line of bites that appear in a small area of your body, they’re more likely to be bedbug bites. Bites that appear in no apparent pattern are more likely to be mosquito bites. Both tend to get better on their own within 1 or 2 weeks. Find out more about the differences between these types of bites.
Bedbug bites vs. hives
Sometimes, people mistake hives for bedbug bites. Hives are red bumps that can develop on your skin due to an allergic reaction or other causes. Like bedbug bites, they’re often itchy. Bedbug bites may initially look like hives with small central bumps or bites. However, bedbug bites don’t stay in the same place for more than 24 hours. They tend to migrate to other locations or go away. If you develop red bumps on your skin that get larger, change shape, or spread from one part of your body to another quickly, they’re more likely to be hives. A small group or line of bumps that appear on one part of your body without changing shape or location are more likely to be bedbug bites. If you develop hives, breathing difficulties, mouth and throat swelling, wheezing, rapid heart rate, or confusion, get medical help immediately. Learn more about anaphylaxis and other potential causes of hives.
Bedbugs don’t just bite humans. They can also feed on family pets.
If you have a pet who’s been bitten by bedbugs, the bites will likely get better on their own. But in some cases, they might become infected. Make an appointment with a veterinarian if you suspect your pet has an infected bite.
Bedbugs are tiny insects that feed on blood. Although the initial bite won’t hurt, it can leave behind itchy, red bumps in a cluster or line.
Most bites will heal on their own in a week or so. You can treat bedbug bites with soap, water, and calming lotions. In some cases, bites can get infected and need medical attention.
Removing bedbugs from your home can be difficult once they’ve gotten in. You will most likely need the help of pest control to get rid of them.
If you are unsure about what type of rash or bites you have, visit a doctor or dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
Jan 3, 2024 · Bed bugs are a nuisance that can cause itchy, uncomfortable bites. Bed bug infestations can be tricky to identify and difficult to eliminate. What are bed bugs and what do they look like?
- Jenette Restivo
- hhp_info@health.harvard.edu
Jul 24, 2024 · Bedbugs do, however, have a unique bite pattern. Although some bites may appear alone, most bites occur in a row of three to five bites (termed "breakfast, lunch, and dinner") or in a cluster of red bumps (a rash called bedbug dermatitis).
- 3.8M
Nov 30, 2023 · Bed bug bite sores may appear as raised, itchy bumps and occur anywhere from a few seconds to several weeks following a bite. Antihistamines and hydrocortisone may help reduce itching and...
- Jennifer Huizen
- A person can tell if a bite is from a bed bug by the following: Bites usually appear on areas of skin exposed while sleeping, such as the face, nec...
- Bed bug bites usually heal and go away within a week or two.
- To get rid of bug bites promptly, the American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends: Wash the bites with soap and water. This will help pr...
Jan 5, 2024 · Symptoms of bedbug bites are similar to symptoms of other insect bites and rashes. Bedbug bites are usually: Inflamed spots, often with a darker spot in the middle. Itchy. Arranged in a rough line or in a cluster. Located on the face, neck, arms and hands.
Jan 3, 2024 · Do bedbug bites itch? Yes, bedbug bites are usually itchy as a result of the bugs' saliva, which can cause a histamine response. Histamine reactions may vary, with some adults and children having a more severe reaction and others having a very limited reaction or none at all.
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