Bed Bug Bites
While bed bug bites are not life-threatening, they can be very uncomfortable. They are also notoriously difficult to get rid of, requiring extensive effort and professional services.
How to spot the bites
A bed bug bite is a small red bump that appears after being bitten by bed bugs. It is typically the size of a pea and is usually located in exposed areas of the body. Bed bugs feed on human blood and will bite sleeping humans, usually several times per night. They will often bite on the face, neck, arms, legs or feet. Bed bugs prefer to feed until they are fully engorged with blood before retreating to their hiding spot in the mattress or box spring.
Bed bug bites appear immediately after being bitten by a bed bug but can take up to two weeks to appear in some people. In most cases, bed bug bites cause no medical problems but may be an indicator that you have a larger infestation on your hands.
You may also see small blood spots from where they have been feeding on you. These are usually in groups of three or four. If you’re worried that you’ve been bitten by a bedbug, look out for these signs.
1. Red bite marks
2. Swelling and irritation around the bite mark
3. Itching around the bite mark
Why do bed bugs bite
Bed bugs are attracted to the carbon dioxide that we exhale, which means they’re primarily attracted to our faces and torsos. They also smell our blood type, so if you have different blood types in your family, the bed bugs may be drawn to one person’s face over another’s.
When they bite, it’s because they need to feed on us in order to survive. If you don’t get enough food from one meal, they’ll try again later. So even if a bed bug bites you once and doesn’t like your taste (or smell), it will keep trying!
How to treat a bed bug bite
1. Wash the affected area with soap and water.
2. Apply an antiseptic lotion or cream to the affected area (optional).
3. Apply an ice pack or cold compress to help reduce swelling and itching.
4. If you are experiencing severe reaction to the bites, see your doctor as soon as possible so that he or she can prescribe you with medication that will help calm down the symptoms of an allergic reaction such as itching, swelling or hives (urticaria).
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