Bed Bug Bites: What You Need to Know

Bed bugs feed on human blood by piercing the skin using their proboscis. This causes bite sores which are itchy raised bumps that can appear immediately after the bite or after a few weeks.
Usually, the bugs bite at night or early in the morning when people are asleep.

People react differently to bed bug bites. Some people get no symptoms other than the bump and minor irritation while others develop severe symptoms. Here is a blog about bugs to give you more information.

Where Do Bedbugs Bite?

Usually, bed bugs bite on areas of your body that are exposed while you sleep. These include the face, neck, arms, legs, hands and shoulders.

How to Identify a Bedbug Bite

Usually, bedbug bites are itchy and cause inflammation. However, how will you know it’s a bedbug bite?

· A raised bump that’s itchy with a dark center on exposed areas such as the neck, face, and arms.
· A painful sensation
· The bumps are in a line or zigzag pattern.
· Tiny blood spots on the bedding which results from bites.
· Bedbug droppings that appear as reddish or brown dried stains on linen.
· If you are light-skinned, the bites appear red or pink while on darker tones they are purple.

Severe Reactions

If you are allergic to bed bug bites you will develop severe reactions and may need medical attention.

These include fever, difficulty breathing, swollen tongue, nausea, blisters, and irregular heartbeat.

Treatment

Usually, bedbug bites don’t require treatment and may resolve in a week. However, you should clean the bite with soap and water to reduce the itchiness.

If you experience minor symptoms such as itchiness, you can use over-the-counter hydrocortisone, antihistamines, or anti-itch creams.

If the itchiness persists and you have severe swelling and inflammation, seek medical attention. If you have allergic symptoms then you may require to be treated with antihistamine, injectable corticosteroid, and epinephrine. In case you get an infection, then you will be treated using antibiotics.

Difference between Bedbug Bites and Other Bites

Bed bug bites may look similar to other bites such as those of mosquitoes, fleas, or spiders. Here is how to differentiate them.

· Bed bug bites. Consists of raised bumps in a line or zigzag pattern. They appear on exposed areas of your body that are in contact with your bed such as your arms, face, neck, and hands.
· Flea bites. These look more like bed bug bites but are common in the waist and legs.
· Spider bites. This is a single bite and can become a wound. It causes other symptoms such as headaches, muscle pain, and trouble breathing.
· Mosquito bite. It’s a single bite that causes a raised bump targeting exposed areas of your body such as legs and arms.

How to Prevent Bedbug Bites

The best way to prevent bed bug bites is to get rid of the bedbugs. Check your home frequently for signs of bedbugs and get rid of them. Also, take measures to prevent the bugs from getting to your home by:

· Vacuuming your home, especially near your bed frequently.
· When traveling, check your room for the bedbugs. Check your luggage before you pack.
· Wash your clothes in hot water and dry them at high temperatures to kill any bedbugs.
· Inspect used furniture for bed bugs before you buy them.