Bed Bug Rashes

A person who has bed bug bites could develop a Bed Bug Rash. The skin becomes red and itchy, and the area where you have been bitten may become swollen. It usually takes some time for the redness and swelling to disappear, but the discomfort and itchiness can be treated with natural remedies or medication.

It is common for people to confuse a bed bug rash with common household insects bites. The rash itself can look almost the same as those caused by mosquitoes, fleas, ants, etc. It is also common for people to assume the rash is skin allergy. I’m going to provide some information as to how you can determine if the skin irritation is a bed bug rash.

Identifying A Bed Bug Rash

A bed bug bite rash consists of several small or raised bumps on the skin, and these appear in a clustered pattern or sometimes in a row. The reason for this is that bed bugs tend to repeatedly feed on the same location on the skin.

The other specific sign is that you will be bitten during the night, and the rash will appear during the day. However, you may often not get the rash until several days later. The saliva injected by the bed bugs acts as an anticoagulant and an anesthetic. That is why you will feel the bite immediately.

Bed bug bites are also very itchy. Unlike a mosquito bite where the itching stops an hour or so after the bite, bed bug bites may itch for up to two days, depending on how sensitive you are to the saliva injected into your skin.

Bed Bugs Rash Treatment

The bed bug rashes usually go away by themselves, once you are no longer being bitten every night. Because the bed bug bites don’t cause any health-related problems apart from the annoying itching, the simplest solution is to let the bites heal by themselves.

For severe cases, some people may want to try antihistamines such as Benadryl, for relieving any itching or swelling.

A hydro-cortisone creams can also help with reducing the swelling. Keep in mind that this type of medication will not remove the red spots that are visible on your skin. They only relieve the itching. On the other hand, the itching is what is perhaps the most irritating part of having bed bug bites, so any relief is welcome!

How to stop rashes from itching

Even after carefully treating one’s home, bed bugs may still survive. The symptoms of bed bug bites can appear a week after the actual bite but you can immediately recognize the bite by the almost constant itching sensation. Its primary treatment involves washing the bed bug bites with soap and water and applying a thick sticky paste of water and baking soda. In case of severe itching, one may apply lemon juice as well.

However, in spite of these measures victims of bed bug bites have been known to develop anxiety, stress, and depression. Under such cases, it is advisable to consult a doctor for bed bug bites and take proper medication and precautions. Usual medications suggested by doctors are Cortisone cream to stop the itching, Calamine lotion, Hydrocortisone cream and Naproxen or Ibuprofen or anti-histamine like Benadryl to help reduce swelling. Scratching of the affected region must be avoided to stop further spreading of rash and to prevent infection.

What are bed bugs?

Bed bugs are one of the most common parasites we come across in our lives, which feeds upon human blood.

As the name suggests, they are usually found in the areas where people sleep like the cracks in old furniture, beds, mattresses, box springs, and bed frames. Thus, almost everyone is vulnerable to bed bug bites, irrespective of the level of sanitation one may maintain.

Bed bug bites seem to be increasing around the world at an alarming rate, possibly due to insecticide resistance. This complicates their eradication by a great deal.

Bed Bugs are oval-shaped insects, flat in appearance, and their color varies from a straw tint to deep reddish mahogany. They have well-developed legs, which allow them to crawl up vertical surfaces quite easily.

However, they are incapable to fly as both their fore wings and hind wings are functionally nonexistent. Bed bugs have very distinct antennae and they emit a foul smell almost continuously. Once identified the underlying infestation must be tackled.

Bedbugs can be found in unsanitary places like where pets rest and cluttered parts of the house. They can also be transferred from one place to the other; usually, people who travel a lot are the victims in this scenario.

They can attach themselves to luggage, and after your trip, you can transfer them to your home. Bed bug prevention is easier and cheaper than actual treatment.

Getting Rid of Bed Bugs

Getting rid of bed bugs can often be very difficult because bed bugs hide very well and can survive for months without any food.

The best way to get rid of them may be to hire a professional exterminator who may use a combination of pesticides to help you get rid of bed bug bites.

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Other non-chemical methods of terminating bed bug bites include vacuuming of cracks and crevices present in old furniture to physically remove them and washing of mattresses and clothes in hot water followed by proper drying.

Some professional exterminators use portable devices to raise the temperature of a room to a lethal temperature of 122 F as all stages of bed bugs can be killed at this temperature. In some cases, one may have to throw out highly infested items such as mattresses or couches.

Effective Bed Bug Sprays

There are various pesticides and natural bed bug sprays that are very effective in killing bed bugs.  See our complete list of the most effective bed bug sprays

Using Bed Bug Sprays alone is usually not a highly effective treatment plan.  Bed Bug Sprays are far more effective when combined with other treatment strategies.  Learn more about how to use an effective treatment plan to rid your home of bed bugs, on our Bed Bug Treatment page.

Wrapping Up

Bed bug bites may seem like a small problem, but if left untreated for too long because bed bugs have been known to carry diseases. Though the above-mentioned remedies are useful for treating minor bed bug bites, one should seek proper medical attention for more severe symptoms. The treatments will only be effective if used at an early stage.