Everything You Need to Know about Bed Bug Bites

Bed bugs are small insects that feed on blood from humans, usually while they are asleep. They can live in your bed, furniture, carpet, clothing, and behind pictures.

Bed bugs can be 1 to 7 millimeters long, depending on their age. They are flat, oval-shaped, and reddish-brown in color. When full grown, they are about the size of an apple seed. It is important to note that they don’t have wings, so they rely on animals or humans to carry them from one place to another.

Bed Bugs are like mosquitos and inject you with a serum that you are allergic to, which makes you itchy. Killing bed bugs is a nasty business, but we can help.

How do I know I am allergic to Bed Bug Bites?

Some people don’t develop noticeable symptoms from bed bug bites. Often, two people can be sleeping in the same bed and only one person appears to be getting bitten. Not everyone reacts to bed bug bites but if you do, here are some symptoms:

• red and swollen, with a dark spot at the center of each bite
• arranged in lines or clusters, with multiple bites grouped together
• itchy

Bed bugs can bite any part of your body. But they’ll usually bite areas of skin (not in your hair) that are exposed, such as your face, neck, arms, and hands.

Symptoms of a Bed Bug Bite

If a bed bug bites your skin, you won’t feel it right away because the bugs excrete a tiny amount of anesthetic before feeding on people. It can sometimes take a few days for symptoms of bed bug bites to develop.

If you are lucky enough to have bed bugs sharing your bed, they do not feed every single night. The female will bite you one night, head out to procreate and lay her eggs and then come back for her next feeding in about two weeks. In the early days of an infestation, you may not realize you have bed bugs because the bites seem to be erratic. As the infestation progresses, you will be getting bitten every night, but by different bugs.

Scratching bug bites can cause them to bleed or become infected

How to Find Bed Bugs

If you suspect there are bed bugs in your home, look for signs of them in your bed and other areas. For example, they often hide in:

• mattresses – look for dead bugs
• box springs – check for black spots around the staples
• bed frames
• headboards
• pillows and bedding
• cracks or seams of furniture
• carpeting around baseboards
• spaces behind light switches and electrical outlet plates
• curtains
• clothes

If you are lucky (or unlucky), you may see the bugs themselves if you have a flashlight and start searching at the break of dawn. You may also find drops of blood or small black dots of bug droppings in your bed. If you find bed bugs, TAKE A DEEP BREATH. WE CAN HELP. Bed bugs do not have to destroy your life. You do not need to through out everything you own.

As an initial step, prior to calling in the experts at Bed Bugs Dead Bugs, many customers:

• Vacuum and steam-clean your floors, mattresses, furniture, and appliances
• Launder your linens, drapes, and clothing using the hottest settings of your washing machine and dryer
• Seal items that can’t be laundered in plastic bags and store them for several days at 0°F (-17°C) or for several months at warmer temperatures
• Fill gaps around your baseboards and cracks in furniture with caulking
• Spray over-the-counter chemicals and dust with diatomaceous earth.

Treatment for Bed Bug Bites

Usually, bed bug bites get better within a few weeks. In the meantime, to relieve symptoms, it may help to:

• Apply anti-itch cream or calamine lotion to bites.
• Take an oral antihistamine to reduce itching and burning.
• Use an over-the-counter pain reliever to relieve swelling and pain.

In rare cases, bedbug bites can cause allergic reactions. If you develop signs or symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, call 911.

Sometimes, bedbug bites can cause an infection known as cellulitis. To reduce the risk of infection, wash the bites with soap and water and try not to scratch them.

Bed Bug Bites on a Baby

If you suspect that your baby or child has been bitten by bed bugs, check their sheets, mattress, bed frame, and nearby baseboards for signs of the bugs.

To treat bed bug bites on your baby or child, wash the bites with soap and water. Consider applying a cold compress or calamine lotion.

Talk to your child’s doctor or pharmacist before using topical steroid creams or oral antihistamines to treat the bites. Some medications may not be safe for babies or young children.

If your child is old enough to understand your instructions, ask them not to scratch the bites. To prevent scratching, it may also help to trim your child’s nails and cover the bites with a bandage.

Bed Bug Bites vs. Flea Bites

Bed bug bites and flea bites are quite similar in appearance. Both can cause red bumps to form on your skin. Both can be very itchy. Bed Bugs will only bite areas of exposed skin. Fleas, on the other hand, like to hide. Bed bugs don’t generally choose to bite animals and fleas only choose people as dinner when no animal is present. Fleas will be hiding in the carpet and baseboards and immediately sense your arrival and jump up and bite you ankles and calves.

Remember, bed bugs generally only bite at night. Fleas bite any time but often when you are in the room where the animal used to reside, usually the living room and bedroom.

Bed Bug Bites vs. Mosquito Bites

Bed bug bites and mosquito bites can both be red, swollen, and itchy. If you have a line of bites that appear in a small area of your body, they’re more likely to be bed bug bites. Bites that appear in no apparent pattern are more likely to be mosquito bites.

Both bedbug bites and mosquito bites tend to get better on their own, within a week or two. To relieve itching and other symptoms, it may help to apply a cold compress, calamine lotion, or other topical treatments. Taking an oral antihistamine can help as well.

Bed Bug Bites vs. Hives

Sometimes, people mistake hives for bedbug bites. Hives are red bumps that can develop on your skin as a result of an allergic reaction and, like bed bug bites, they’re often itchy.

If you develop red bumps on your skin that get larger, change shape, or spread from one part of your body to another in a short period of time, they’re more likely to be hives.

A small group or line of bumps that appear on one part of your body without changing shape or location are more likely to be bed bug bites.

If you develop hives along with breathing difficulties, dizziness, nausea, or vomiting, get medical help right away. You might be experiencing anaphaylaxis, a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that cuts of your airway.

Bed Bug Bites vs. Spider Bites

Spider bites can be red and itchy, much like bed bug bites but spiders rarely bite more than once. If you only have one bite on your body, it’s probably not from bed bugs.

Spider bites often take longer to heal than other types of bug bites. Some spider bites can cause serious damage to your skin, especially if they get infected. To reduce the risk of infection, wash any bug bites with soap and water.

The Risks of Bed Bug Bites

Bed bugs can live anywhere people live or hang out. You may be at increased risk for encountering bed bugs if you live or work in a:

• hotel
• hospital
• homeless shelter
• library
• military barrack
• college dorm
• apartment complex

Unlike some types of bugs, bed bugs don’t transmit diseases when they bite. If you scratch your bites, they can become infected. Potential signs and symptoms of an infection include:

• pain and tenderness radiating from the bite
• redness, swelling, or warmth around the bite
• red streaks or spots near the bite
• pus or drainage from the bite
• dimpling of your skin
• fever
• chills

Bed Bug Bites on Pets

Bed bugs love to bite humans, however, in desperation they will bite family pets. As most animals have fur or feathers, it will be difficult to tell if they are bitten. If you see any signs of bed bugs on your pet’s bed it’s important to wash your pet’s bed, stuffed toys, and other accessories.

If you have found bed bugs in your home, call Adrienne or Logan at Bed Bugs Dead Bugs today for a free consultation. We are always happy to answer your questions. 416-824-6009