How to identify and treat bed bug bites – Insider
Bed bug bites are itchy, annoying, and just plain creepy. Although the bites are generally harmless, it's important to identify and get rid of bed bugs, otherwise they will keep biting you.
The thing is, it might take a while to realize that you have bed bugs. That's because bed bugs are tiny, and their bites can mimic other insect bites or skin irritations.
Here's everything you should know about bed bug bites and how to get rid of the pesky critters once and for all.
Bed bugs are big enough to be seen with the naked eye, says Tanya Nino, MD, a dermatologist with Providence St Joseph Hospital in Orange County, California. They're about the size of a tick (1 to 5 mm long), oval-shaped, flat, and have a reddish-brown color.
Bed bugs are very small and rare to actually see. dblight/Getty Images
Although they're large enough to see, bed bugs can be extremely difficult to find. They're active at night, rather than during the day. When you're away, they're hiding away in the cracks and seams of bedding or upholstered furniture. They're pretty good about staying out of the way when you're looking for them.
Because of that, it's rare to actually spot a bed bug. Instead, it's more likely that you'll notice bed bug bites.
Bed bug bites appear as small red marks on light skin, and could appear as small dark spots on skin that is darker shades, says Sharleen St. Surin-Lord, MD, medical director at Visage Dermatology and Aesthetics Center in Washington D.C.
Usually, they'll appear in clusters of 3 to 5 bites in a zig-zag pattern that reflects where the bug has moved on your body. Although bed bugs can bite anywhere, the bites tend to be concentrated on the abdomen and arms, St. Surin-Lord says.
Bed bug bites often appear on the abdomen. Joel Carillet/Getty Images
Bed bug bites tend to be a little smaller than mosquito bites, though it may be difficult to tell them apart from flea bites.
"The difference is that you normally can see the fleas jumping around or the mosquitoes, after they have bitten you," St. Surin-Lord says. "Bed bugs are a little more clandestine."
This comparison table can help you diagnose your type of bug bite:
Yuqing Liu/Insider
If your bites are most prominent in the morning and appear in groups of three, that's a good indication that you might be dealing with bed bugs.
"Often, the bites will occur in a line of three, which is sometimes called 'breakfast, lunch, and dinner,' Nino says.
The primary symptom of bed bug bites is welts on your skin. Usually, these welts are very itchy, and appear in groups.
As with other bug bites, some people will have a harsh reaction, including redness and itchiness, while others will barely be bothered by bed bug bites.
Note: Though it's rare, bed bug bites can become infected if you scratch them. If you experience symptoms like fever, significant swelling, or nausea, you should call your doctor. If you have any symptoms that make it difficult to breathe, call 911.
"Bedbugs become dangerous when a large part of the body is affected, causing intense itching and scratching, leading to open, wounded, bleeding skin," St. Surin-Lord says. "This now creates a portal for bacteria and skin infections."
In addition to noticing bed bug bites, you might spot symptoms of a bed bug infestation in your home. These can include:
Remember, just because you don't see the bugs doesn't mean they aren't there, especially since the bugs tend to hide during the day and become active at night, Nino says.
You can treat bed bug bites by first washing the bite site with soapy water to remove any dirt or debris. Then, you can try these at-home remedies:
The itching from bed bug bites can last for up to two weeks, St. Surin-Lord says. That's often prolonged if the infestation hasn't been addressed and the person continues to get new bites. If you're dealing with severe itchiness despite using the remedies above, you can reach out to your doctor for a more powerful prescription anti-itch cream.
In some cases, St. Surin-Lord prescribes oral steroids to people who have severe itching caused by bed bug bites. The oral steroids can reduce inflammation and itchiness in people who don't get relief from topical creams. They can also help prevent further health complications from the overwhelming itchiness.
A bed bug infestation can happen to anyone, no matter how clean your home is. That's because most people inadvertently bring bed bugs home after traveling, or occasionally from purchasing used furniture.
During or after travel, you can take these steps to reduce your risk of bringing bed bugs home:
In general, you should regularly check your home, especially your bedroom, for signs of bed bugs. Pay extra close attention after travel or after sleeping at someone else's home, and remember that it can take up to two weeks for symptoms of an infestation to appear.
Ridding yourself of bed bugs is not a quick or easy task. It can take weeks or months to get rid of bed bugs, so try to be patient and prepare yourself for the long haul.
Here's an overview of how to get rid of bed bugs:
In most cases, it's a good idea to call a professional exterminator, who is able to use more powerful pesticides and get the infestation under control more quickly.
"Elimination of bed bugs can be a difficult undertaking," Nino says. "You may need a licensed professional."
Although bed bug bites are generally harmless, they can be very uncomfortable. If you're not getting relief from at-home treatments, reach out to your doctor.
In addition, it's important to treat the infestation and get rid of the bed bugs they will likely keep biting people until they are professionally exterminated.
"No matter what you decide to do, you must rid your home of the bed bugs," St. Surin-Lord says. "If you were at a hotel and feel that you were bitten in their bed and were diagnosed with bed bugs, you should contact that hotel so that they have their rooms treated."
View post:
How to identify and treat bed bug bites - Insider
- Heres How to Identify Bed Bug Bites and How to Treat Them - Prevention Magazine - October 4th, 2024
- Madison Metro reports bed bug found on bus the day of BRT launch in September - WKOW - October 4th, 2024
- Davenport Named One Of The Most Bed Bug Infested Cities In The U.S. - B100 - October 2nd, 2024
- Company: No bed bugs at theater - Sandusky Register - October 2nd, 2024
- Brits ignoring 'key step' in hygiene which will keep bed bugs away amid infestation - The Mirror - October 2nd, 2024
- 'I'm a pharmacist - here's what to do if you're bitten by bed bugs' - The Mirror - October 2nd, 2024
- Our 30th wedding anniversary in the Canary Islands was ruined by bed bugs - now we're taking legal action - Daily Mail - September 30th, 2024
- Bed bugs spotted at theater? - Norwalk Reflector - September 28th, 2024
- How to Get Rid of Boxelder Bugs and Keep Them Away from Your Home - Better Homes & Gardens - September 28th, 2024
- Bed bugs spotted at theater? - Sandusky Register - September 26th, 2024
- Bed bug discovery leads to another Michigan library closing temporarily - MLive.com - September 26th, 2024
- Oak Park Public Library expected to reopen tomorrow following pest-related closure - WXYZ 7 Action News Detroit - September 26th, 2024
- The first thing you should do in your hotel room - ABC4.com - September 26th, 2024
- Bed bugs on the rise in Ireland - Beat 102-103 - September 25th, 2024
- How to spot if you have bedbugs: They look like an apple pip - Newstalk - September 25th, 2024
- Understand what youre working with in order to defeat your bed bug problem - Pest Management Professional magazine - September 23rd, 2024
- Big surge in bed bug infestations across Ireland down to Paris Olympics as cases expected to last up to C... - The Irish Sun - September 23rd, 2024
- Tales from the Trenches: Field Implementation of Aprehend for Bed Bug Management - PCT Online - September 21st, 2024
- News5 viewers bring bed bug problem at the Pueblo Rescue Mission to our attention - KOAA News 5 - September 21st, 2024
- Bedbugs found in 10 beds at Hong Kong's public hospital, with 4 patients believed to have been bitten - Hong Kong Free Press - September 21st, 2024
- Bedbugs and mattress disposal problem costing Youngstown taxpayers - WFMJ - September 19th, 2024
- Bedbugs and city mattress disposal problem costing taxpayers - WFMJ - September 19th, 2024
- Easton Housing Authority wont wait for tenants to report bedbugs. Regular checks are in place. - lehighvalleylive.com - September 19th, 2024
- How did bedbugs end up in Hong Kong hospital and how can we avoid infestations? - South China Morning Post - September 19th, 2024
- California Department of Education building dealing with potential bed bug infestation - KCRA Sacramento - September 15th, 2024
- Bed Bugs in Schools Zoom - University of NebraskaLincoln - September 15th, 2024
- Insights on diagnosing and treating scabies, bedbugs, and lice effectively - News-Medical.Net - September 12th, 2024
- JJs Thats Awesome: From Bed Bugs To Grateful Hugs - KFDI - September 10th, 2024
- Chillicothe movie theater addresses bedbug concerns - Scioto Valley Guardian - September 10th, 2024
- What are renters rights when dealing with bed bugs? - FOX 31 Denver - September 5th, 2024
- Real-life computer bugs? Student Chromebooks infested with bedbugs - and it's not the first time - ZDNet - September 5th, 2024
- What rights Colorado renters have when it comes to bed bugs FOX31 Denver - FOX 31 Denver - September 5th, 2024
- Bed bug bites: How to identify them, get relief, and prevent future ... - September 3rd, 2024
- Students' Chromebooks infested with bedbugs - KOMO News - September 3rd, 2024
- Bed Bugs in Houston - UT Physicians - September 3rd, 2024
- Ex-Trump voters reveal why theyve dumped Trump: Like a mattress with bed bugs - MSNBC - September 1st, 2024
- Bed bugs spread worse than a forest fire What to do as a renter when your apartment is infested - Monadnock Ledger Transcript - September 1st, 2024
- How to kill bed bugs with this common 65p household item - Metro.co.uk - September 1st, 2024
- Does Your Illinois Destination Have Bed Bugs? See Recent Reports - KHMO News-Talk-Sports - September 1st, 2024
- Toddler girl starved in apartment filled with bed bugs and feces, police say - MLive.com - August 29th, 2024
- Housing Authority tenants filed more than 4,000 complaints about bed bugs and pests. Now they are suing. - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - August 29th, 2024
- Georgia family receives full refund after finding bedbugs all over Florida vacation rental - 11Alive.com WXIA - August 29th, 2024
- My fight to survive bed bugs in Baltimore | GUEST COMMENTARY - Baltimore Sun - August 29th, 2024
- Residents and Common Ground sue HACM over "uninhabitable" living conditions, bed bugs - WTMJ - August 29th, 2024
- 'Imagine them crawling in my ear': Housing Authority residents sign on to bedbug lawsuit - Spectrum News 1 - August 29th, 2024
- Tenants sue Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee over 'uninhabitable' living conditions - TMJ4 News - August 29th, 2024
- PCT Awards Gift Cards to Bed Bug Survey Participants - PCT Online - August 28th, 2024
- Dangerous mosquito-borne illness detected in the U.S. do Canadians need to worry? Plus more bugs to know about - Yahoo Canada Shine On - August 28th, 2024
- With bed bugs in an apartment, tenants can lose it all and foot the extermination bill - Concord Monitor - August 25th, 2024
- Human feces. Bed bugs. Crystal meth. And tons of junk. Shadowing the crew of Merica JunkBoss - The Times of Northwest Indiana - August 25th, 2024
- 5 Smells Bed Bugs Absolutely Hate - MSN - August 25th, 2024
- The Best Mattress and Pillow Protectors and Encasements | Reviews by Wirecutter - The New York Times - August 25th, 2024
- Bed Bugs Discovered In Greeneville Walmart Restrooms - WGRV.com - August 24th, 2024
- Bed bugs. Human feces. Crystal meth. And tons of junk. Shadowing the crew of Merica JunkBoss. - The Times of Northwest Indiana - August 24th, 2024
- Madison metro received 13 bed bug complaints since June; city records show all were addressed within 24 hours - WMTV - August 24th, 2024
- Brits urged to lookout for bed bugs abroad - how to spot them in your hotel - Yahoo News UK - August 24th, 2024
- Britons warned over bed bugs abroad - and how to spot them - Express - August 24th, 2024
- How I spent $4,700 on my first trip abroad to Paris and London and what I'd try next time to save money and avoid bed bugs - Business Insider - August 21st, 2024
- This Texas City Is Ranked As The Third Most Bed Bug Infested City in America - News/Talk 790 KFYO - August 21st, 2024
- Bed bugs or fleas? How to tell whats biting you in bed - Tom's Guide - August 20th, 2024
- Best temperature to kill bacteria and bed bugs when washing bedding - and it's not 60C - Express - August 20th, 2024
- Disney Releases Official Response As Ongoing Bed Bug Crisis Infests Parks - Inside the Magic - August 20th, 2024
- Metro Transit responds to bed bug sightings on buses - Channel3000.com - WISC-TV3 - August 18th, 2024
- Get rid of bed bugs with pest controller's 'effective' method - 'kills their eggs' - Express - August 18th, 2024
- Two Texas Cities Among Most Bed Bug Infected in the U.S. - knue.com - August 18th, 2024
- People urged to check their beds especially if they have been on holiday - The Mirror - August 18th, 2024
- Free tertiary tuition for first years: The universities should get ready for a bedbug infestation Prof. Smart Sarpong jabs Mahama - Modern Ghana - August 18th, 2024
- Georgia family looking forward to Florida vacation find bedbugs all over rental. They're now fighting for a full refund. - 11Alive.com WXIA - August 16th, 2024
- Beware of bedbugs: How to deal with these pests - WRDW - August 16th, 2024
- KY and TN Cities Appear on Annual Most Bed Bugs List - WBKR - August 13th, 2024
- Pest control pros warn never to treat bed bugs with essential oils and what to do instead for true success - Homes & Gardens - August 13th, 2024
- Are there bedbugs and busted equipment at your Florida hospital? What inspectors found - Miami Herald - August 13th, 2024
- Bed bug infestation leaves mum and baby with nasty bites and property destroyed - Oxford Mail - August 13th, 2024
- South Korea is using a sniffer dog to greet its Olympic athletes and fans at airport for bizarre reason - UNILAD - August 13th, 2024
- Insects on vacation: How to spot them and how to avoid them - Elliott Advocacy - August 12th, 2024
- Best temperature to wash bedding to kill germs and bed bugs - not 60C or 90C - Express - August 9th, 2024
- Athens-Clarke County Courthouse normal operations to resume Monday after being treated for bed bugs - WSB Atlanta - July 27th, 2024
- Brits heading to Paris for Olympics warned after last year's bed bug outbreak - Express - July 25th, 2024
- UK Might See A Second Bed Bug Outbreak; Here Is Everything You Need To Know - Times Now - July 19th, 2024
- Biology, Habitat, and Management of Bed Bugs - Penn State Extension - June 1st, 2024