How to Treat Bed Bug Bites & Bed Bug Bite Symptoms
Photo By: Piotr Naskrecki
When many of us hear the words “bed bugs”, it is usually enough to give one the heebie-jeebies. Just the thought of this parasite feeding on us while we sleep will make one quiver all over for sure. They need very little room to hide and are very adept at doing so. And if they have taken up residence within your home, then you most certainly have a challenge in front of you in eradicating them. Learning How to Treat Bed Bug Bites is relatively easy. The tougher part is properly identifying the nasty bug that took a bite out of you in the first place! You can view a bed bug life cycle for some additional assistance in identifying the bed bug and the bed bug biology.
Please enjoy the video below from the expertvillage on How to Treat Bed Bug Bites.
How often do Bed Bugs Feed
When a bed bug feeds, it will pierce the skin of its host with two hollow tubes. One of the tubes is utilized for injecting an anti-coagulant, to assist in keeping your blood from clotting and anesthetics, which cause a reversible loss of sensation to the bite area. The other tube is utilized for withdrawing the blood of its host. The nature of its feeding habits and its biology are the reason why most people do not realize that they have been fed upon until a day or so later or when the first symptoms of the bites appear. For many, a bed bug rash may not even appear noticeable for up to a week later.
Some have reported of singular bites in rows and others in clusters. This may suggest that the bed bug was disturbed while feeding, detached itself from its host and then continued with its feed in the immediate area. Please note that they will feed anywhere on your body that is readily accessible for a free meal. Primarily, exposed areas of the skin will be this pests’ first choice.
Although bed bugs can live for up to a year or more without feeding, they will generally feed every five to ten days whenever possible. They also require a blood meal before molting to the next life stage in the bed bug life cycle. Upon reaching maturity and during its lifetime, the female will lay anywhere from 200 to 500 tiny white eggs. And since it is possible to reach maturity within as little as five weeks, infestations within your home will inflate rather quickly and are extremely difficult to control, much less eradicate.
Bed Bug Bite Symptoms
- Itching sensation to bite area.
- Redness and/or swelling to bite area.
- Raised bumps/welts to affected area.
- Bite marks in singular rows or in small clusters.
- Rash develops surrounding affected area.
Home Remedies for Treating Bed Bug Bites
It is advisable to telephone your local physician when you have become a victim of any insect bite that has become inflamed, swollen or otherwise suspect. This is especially important if the bite area becomes infected. When in doubt, see your doctor immediately! Understanding how to treat bed bug bites can prevent further infections by applying the following:
- Avoid scratching the affected area.
- Clean/wash/rinse affected area with mild soap and water.
- Apply an anesthetic topical creme or lotion. (a hydro-cortisone creme or calamine lotion will assist many bite victims in relieving some of their symptoms as will taking a antihistamine for those with stronger reactions to the bite – Call your physician before taking any medications of any nature to which you are not sure of how they are to be properly used, taken or applied to ones self)
- Apply a cold compress to the affected area to assist in any swelling that may occur to the bite area.
- Monitor and observe for any increased swelling or redness to the affected area.
- Keep affected area clean of any foreign debris to reduce chance of infection.
- If any of these symptoms persists, call your physician as soon as possible.
How to Treat Bed Bug Bites & Cure Bed Bug Itch!
Bed Bug Bites on Face
How to Treat Bed Bug Bites just got easier! One very effective treatment that I personally recommend and have used with great success is the Bed Bug Bite Individual Pack from All Stop. Nobody is comfortable with the dark and unattractive bed bug scars that can be seen by all! Generally, the scars from a bed bug bite and excessive itching associated with the bite symptoms do not disappear on their own without some sort of antimicrobial and antiseptic treatment. The Bed Bug Bite Individual Pack is a one stop treatment to soothe and comfort the itching as well as relieve the pain. It will also assist in protecting your skin from secondary infections and begin the fading process of any unsightly bed bug bites. This bed bug bite skin treatment is also available in a family pack.
If you have enjoyed this post and gotten some help from those dreaded bed bug bites and How to Treat Bed Bug Bites effectively - or a little relief from the bed bug itch, then please feel free to lend a Shout-Out and give us a Like or Share with your Friends!
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