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It's one of the worst things that can happen upon waking up in the morning, especially when you find a row of itchy red bumps on your arm or neck. If you continue to see new bites on your skin in the morning, it is likely that you have bed bugs. Fortunately, bed bug bites are typically not a cause for concern and can resolve on their own. The unfortunate thing is they will just continue to return until the bed Bugs are eliminated.
The article will discuss the signs of bed bug bites, at-home remedies for relief of itching and swelling, and when to seek medical treatment when bitten by bed bugs, in addition to what it actually takes to make bed bug bites disappear for good.
What do Bed Bug Bites Look Like?
Bed bugs suck blood, typically at night when you are asleep. They feed on unclad skin (arm, shoulder, neck, face, and legs). Most people do not feel a bite from the bug as it injects a mild anaesthetic when it feeds.
Typical symptoms of bed bug bites are:
- Raised, red, small bumps with a darker red centre.
- Which is often referred to as a “breakfast, lunch and dinner” bite: a single bug moves and bites again.
- Extremely itchy, which may begin right away or within 1-3 days.
- Bites under clothing, and not while sleeping.
Everyone doesn't always respond to the same treatment. Some people develop very large, swollen welts and others do not react at all. That's why someone within a household might get bitten and another person sleeping in the same bed could not get bitten.
Bed Bug Bites vs Mosquito Bites: How to Tell the Difference
In Malaysia, mosquito bites are the most common mix-up. A few clues help you tell them apart:
Pattern
Bed bug bites usually appear in a line or a small cluster of three to five, because a single bug moves along the skin and bites again. Mosquito bites tend to be random and scattered across different parts of the body.
When they appear
Bed bug bites are usually noticed in the morning, after a night’s sleep. Mosquito bites can appear at any time of the day or evening, depending on when you were exposed.
Location
Bed bugs bite skin that was uncovered while you slept, such as the arms, shoulders, neck and face. Mosquitoes bite any exposed skin, whether you are indoors or outdoors.
Recurrence
With bed bugs, new bites keep appearing every night as long as you sleep in the same room or bed. Mosquito bites come and go depending on your surroundings and where you have been.
If the bites always appear after sleeping in one particular bed, sofa or hotel room, bed bugs become far more likely. For a full checklist of what to look for around the bed, read our guide on signs of bed bugs.
How to Treat Bed Bug Bites at Home
Typically, bed bug bites heal on their own in 1-2 weeks, without treatment. Home care is to lessen itching, prevent infection and aid in the recovery of the skin.
1. Rinse and wash the bites with soap and water
In the case where the bites are detected, the area should be washed gently using gentle soap and water. This is because it will get rid of the saliva and bacteria and prevent any infections from occurring.
2. Pour cold water on the area and place a compress
Putting cool and wet cloth or ice pack wrapped in a towel on the bites for about 10-15 minutes will reduce swelling and reduce the irritation. This process can be done several times in a day.
3. Place an anti-itch cream or lotion
A lotion or a cream which can be purchased over-the-counter such as calamine or a mild hydrocortisone can be used to reduce itching and redness. It is important to talk to a pharmacist in order to select the right one, especially for children, pregnant women and those who have sensitive skin.
4. Any oral antihistamine will do
Where the itching causes irritation during sleeping time, an oral antihistamine can be recommended by the pharmacist. Always read the label and consult the pharmacist or doctor before administering medication to a child.
5. Do not scratch
Scratching breaks the skin, which slows healing and opens the door to bacterial infection. Keep fingernails short, and cover the bites with a light plaster if you scratch in your sleep.
6. Try simple soothing remedies
Other people have found success using a cream or paste that is formed using a mixture of baking soda and water, or an aloe vera gel. They do not help treat the condition, but they alleviate the symptoms of itching.
When to See a Doctor?
It is very unlikely that bed bug bites will be dangerous for your health, but you should consult a doctor if you notice:
- Infection symptoms like increasing pain, warmth, pus and spreading red streaks coming from the bite
- Development of blisters or big swellings that do not go away after several days
- Allergy symptoms like having difficulty breathing, swollen lips or face or wide-spread rash. It is crucial to see a doctor immediately
- Bites that prevent you from getting good nights' sleep for several days in a row and influence your mood and everyday life
And finally, remember the psychological effects of the problem. Bed bug infestation often causes anxiety and insomnia, and this is one more reason why you cannot ignore it.
Why the Bites Keep Coming Back
Curing the bites will only relieve the symptoms. While there are bed bugs living inside your bed, bed frame, headboard, couch, or within the cracks of your room, they will continue feeding every other night.
There are many reasons why bed bugs can be hard to remove on your own because
- They hide in tiny gaps. An adult bed bug is roughly the same size as an apple seed, while the young ones are smaller still. They hide away inside mattress crevices, screw heads, wall sockets, and beneath the skirting board.
- These eggs are resistant to multiple forms of treatment. Commercially available sprays may kill adult cockroaches that are visible to the eye but fail to kill their eggs.
- They can live up to several months without food. Abandoning a room for a few weeks will not help.
- They spread easily. Moving furniture or sleeping in another room often spreads them to new areas of the home.
This is why so many households try sprays, powders and home remedies with little success. Malaysia's warm, humid climate also gives bed bugs ideal conditions to breed all year round.
What You Can Do While Waiting for Treatment
These are things you can do to minimize bites and spread until you have a professional inspection:
1. Bedding should be clean and dry
Hot water can be used to clean your bedsheets, pillowcases, and clothes, and dry on the highest temperature in the dryer. Bed Bugs and their eggs will be killed by high temperatures.
2. Thorough vacuuming
The mattress seams, bed frames, carpet edges and any furniture around the bed should be vacuumed. The contents of the vacuum should then be disposed of in a ziplock plastic bag.
3. Declutter around the bed
Beds have a lot more places to hide than piles of clothes, bags and boxes do.
4. Take advantage of a mattress covering
A zippered mattress cover keeps insects inside the mattress, and will help find new ones.
5. Avoid moving to another room
This can often be a method to spread the infestation rather than to eradicate it.
Can Professional Pest Control Get Rid of Bed Bugs Permanently?
The best way to prevent the bites is to get professional treatment. A trained technician checks all possible areas where the infestation may be hiding, and identifies the severity of the infestation and applies heat, and/or targeted chemical to areas where sprays cannot reach. It is important to have a follow-up visit as it will detect bugs hatched from eggs after the first visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do bed bug bites last?
Most bites fade within one to two weeks. People with stronger reactions may see marks for longer, especially if the bites were scratched.
Can bed bug bites spread disease?
There is no evidence that bed bugs transmit any diseases to humans. However, there are some health complications such as skin infections, allergic reactions, and insomnia.
Why am I the only one getting bitten?
Bed bugs usually bite everyone in the bed, but not everyone reacts. Your partner may be bitten too and simply show no marks.
Will the bites stop if I change my mattress?
Not always. This is because the bed bugs can reside not only in the mattress but also in bed frames, walls, furniture, skirting boards, and other places.
How Asteric Can Help
If you're treating new bites daily, it isn't the skin. The culprit is actually the bed bugs that are lurking there. Asteric Pest Control's Bed Bug Removal Services for Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Perak homes, hotels and guesthouses include heat treatment and targeted chemical application, followed by an inspection to ensure that the bed bugs have been eliminated.
Prior to any work beginning, our DOA-licensed technicians will check your property, offer a diagnosis of what may be going wrong and recommend the appropriate treatment. Learn more about our bed bug control service, or contact us on WhatsApp at 010-2188361 to book a free inspection.
