Effective Remedies and Treatments for Bed Bug Bites

First, how do you know you've been bitten by a bed bug and not, say, a mosquito, flea, or spider? Bed bug bites can be itchy, red, and inflamed like many other bug bites and vary from person to person, so they are challenging to diagnose. You may notice a cluster of three to five swollen bumps, a flat line of bites, blisters, or not much of anything. In addition to physical symptoms, anxiety about bed bugs can lead to insomnia.

Be on the alert for other telltale signs of bed bugs, such as inexplicable black or rust-colored stains from bed bug poop or oxidized blood, small white eggs, exoskeletons that have been shed, or the bugs themselves. In severe infestations, you might observe an unusual smell.

While bed bug bites can disappear on their own within a week or two, you need to address the root of the matter, or new lesions will keep popping up. If you're unsure what's biting you, call in a professional pest control service to confirm the problem or make an appointment with a doctor who can prescribe appropriate oral or topical treatments.

Before that, though, you can wash an insect bite with soap and water and keep the area clean to prevent infection. Reduce swelling and itching by placing one or more ice cubes in a clean, wet cloth and lightly pressing down on the bite. No ice? No problem. Just dampen the cloth with cold water and apply the cool compress for about ten to twenty minutes for sweet relief. The cloth needs to stay cold to numb the nerves, but don't be tempted to apply ice directly, or you'll add frostbite to your list of worries.

Over-the-counter antihistamines can minimize itchiness and swelling and help you sleep, but make sure you take a non-drowsy one in the morning, or you'll struggle to keep your eyes open. You can try smearing OTC topical antihistamines and hydrocortisone products on the bites, but prescription topical treatments are often more effective for bed bugs. So, if the calamine lotion behind your bathroom mirror doesn't seem to be doing the trick, book an appointment with your GP.

You might not have to leave your home to be able to treat bed bug bites. For a natural anti-itch solution, try pure aloe vera gel, fresh from the succulent in your garden or out of a bottle procured from the drug store. The gel calms down burning sensations. You could also mix a tablespoon of baking soda with a little water to make a paste.

Apply the paste to the bite and wash off after at least ten minutes. If you're more keen on the idea of a bath, grind oats from your pantry in a blender and add a cup of this colloidal oatmeal to lukewarm water. Soak in the tub for 15 minutes before patting yourself dry. The oats work to cleanse, moisturize, and protect the skin. Finally, you may choose to use essential oils. To safely apply an essential oil, mix a few drops with an ounce of carrier oil such as coconut oil or jojoba oil before putting it on your skin.

Tea tree, lavender, rosemary, or peppermint oil are good options to promote healing.

Allergic reactions can vary in intensity. The proteins from bed bug saliva can cause itching far away from the bite site, or even all over the body, and bites may be very painful. But there can also be life-threatening consequences. It's rare, but some people can have a severe allergic reaction to bed bug bites, causing swelling in the lips and tongue or making breathing difficult. Call 911 for urgent medical attention or administer an epinephrine injector if prescribed.

Bed bug bites can feel very itchy, which may lead to scratching, which in turn introduces bacteria to the lesion. Infections such as cellulitis can occur, resulting in more redness and swelling, fever, or the oozing of pus from bites. This will require an OTC antiseptic or an antibiotic prescribed by a physician. Try to avoid scratching as much as possible, and reach for antihistamines and topical treatments to ease symptoms instead. When helping children with bed bug bites, it's important to keep their nails short and clean to lower the chances of secondary infections. If it's winter, encourage little ones to wear gloves to limit scratching.

Once you've discovered a bed bug infestation in your home, getting rid of it can seem quite daunting. It's not impossible to [https://www.epa.gov/bedbugs/do-it-yourself-bed-bug-control]DIY the process, but it's [https://www.epa.gov/bedbugs/hiring-pest-management-professional-bed-bugs]best to call a reputable pest control company for a thorough and efficient solution. To prevent future bites, it's good practice to:

• Inspect and clean bedding with high-heat washes or dryer cycles regularly
• Use protective encasements and covers on mattresses and pillows
• Keep living spaces clutter-free to reduce hiding spots for bed bugs

To begin with, don't overly stress—hotels have become more aware of the bed bug matter and are taking eradication seriously so as not to lose business. Still, it's worth making a habit of inspecting hotel rooms for signs of bed bugs. It'll only take you about five minutes, but it could save you some discomfort and money.

Because bedding is frequently washed in the hospitality industry, turn your attention to the mattress seams around the edges. Bed bugs are attracted to dark spots, which is why they've been spotted in cinemas and subways, so check headboard cracks, box spring crevices, cracks on the floor, furniture, electrical outlets, and other nooks and crannies.

If you notice bed bugs, it doesn't necessarily reflect poor hygiene; it is just exposure to bed bugs from people's movement. Report your findings to the hotel, and make sure your new room isn't adjacent to the old one. Place luggage in bathtubs as soon as you enter the room, off the floor on a luggage stand, or on non-porous floor surfaces such as tiles to prevent bed bugs from entering them. Use protective covers on your suitcases before your trip to prevent acquiring bed bugs in the first place. Before you leave the hotel, dry clean your clothing or do a high-heat laundry session as soon as you get home from a trip.

Thyme has antibacterial properties, so it lessens the chance of infection. Chop the leaves finely and apply them directly to the bite for 10 minutes. You could put the sprigs in boiling water and then dip your compress cloth in the cooled mixture, too. Basil's antioxidants reduce inflammation, and you can use the herb in much the same way. Stop and wash your skin with cool water if you notice any irritation. In terms of homeopathic treatments, arnica, and Ledum are just two of the numerous options to consider to relieve symptoms. Dissolve 3 to 5 pellets under the tongue or use as directed by a homeopath.

It's a common myth that bed bugs jump or fly, but it's not true—they just crawl very fast. They're also not known for transmitting diseases, so in that regard, you face more danger from a mosquito that can give you malaria, zika, or yellow fever. If you're considering a DIY bed bug fix, it's not as straightforward as vacuuming, steaming, using a fogger, or buying an insecticide spray, and many folks start fires trying to do their own heat treatments.

Bed bugs are resistant to pyrethroid insecticide products and DDT, so spraying products ending in "-thrin" scatters the bed bugs and can spread the problem. Also, you don't need to throw out your mattress or pull out carpeting if there's evidence of bed bugs, as doing so could further spread the infestation.

Here's a quick recap so you can have a good night, sleep tight, and prevent the bed bugs from biting. Bed bugs are the size of an apple seed, but they're skittish, so you're more likely to see signs of them, such as reddish or black stains on textiles, before you see the bugs in the flesh. You can take protective measures against infestations, such as using protective covers on mattresses and tossing clothing from your travels in high-heat wash cycles, but if you do get bitten, you can easily get relief with the help of cold compresses, oral or topical antihistamines, and natural treatments.

The golden rule is to avoid scratching to prevent infection and to call a reputable professional pest controller to debug your home. In rare instances, a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction may occur, which necessitates urgent medical attention.