Symptoms of Bed Bug Bites

• Usually cause itchy, red bumps in a group or line
• Often look like a hive or mosquito bite
• Bite may have a red dot (puncture) in the center. This is where the bed bug bit through the skin.
• Some times, a small blister can occur in the center
• Bites are usually on exposed skin (arms, legs and face)
• Bites are usually first noted in the morning, but the reaction can be delayed. You could have been bitten, for example, while you were staying in a hotel a week ago.

Diagnosis of Bed Bug Bites

• Bed bugs are small blood-sucking bugs.
• Live bed bugs hide and are not usually seen. Looking closely at the mattress may find some.
• They are ¼ inch (6 mm), flat, oval shaped, reddish-brown bugs.
• Suspect bed bugs if more than 3 red bumps in a row are on exposed skin. The bumps or bites are very itchy.
• Bed bug waste is found on bedding or mattress seams. It looks like dark brown flecks or coffee grounds.
• A blood stain on the sheet is sometimes found. This is from a bug squashed after feeding.

Cause of Bed Bug Bite Reactions

• The skin bumps are the body's reaction to the bug's saliva.
• While the bug is sucking blood, some of its saliva get mixed in.
• During the day, bed bugs hide in the corners of mattresses. They may also be found in bed crevices, floors, and walls.
• At night, the bed bugs come out of hiding. They feed on humans for about 5 minutes.

Preventing Bed Bugs

• More than half of bed bug infestations in homes start after recent travel.
• Avoid hotels and hostels where bed bugs have been reported.
• When you check into a hotel room, look for signs of bed bugs. Look for flecks of their waste (look like coffee grounds) in the bedding and mattress. If you see them, ask for another room.
• Keep your luggage and clothing on a luggage rack off the floor.
• When you return from a trip, place all travel clothing into the clothes dryer. Run the dryer for 20 to 30 minutes. Reason: the heat will kill any bed bugs or their eggs that are present. One pregnant bed bug can spread bed bugs to an entire house.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Can bed bugs transmit HIV or hepatitis? This is highly unlikely. It has never been reported.
• Do bed bugs like dirt? Not really. What bed bugs like is the warmth of the human body. Dirty and cluttered spaces just give bed bugs a place to hide.
• Are bed bugs too small to be seen? No. You can see adult bed bugs. They are about the size of an apple seed (¼ inch; 4-7 mm).
• Are bed bugs afraid of the light? They do prefer darkness. But keeping the light on will not stop bed bugs from biting you.

When to Call for Bed Bug Bite

Care Advice

What You Should Know About Bed Bug Bites:

• Bed bug bites cause itchy red bumps. They are often in a line on areas of the body not covered by clothing at night (face, neck and arms).
• The bites are usually less than ½ inch (12 mm) in size.
• Some are larger (like a hive). These are normal reactions to a bed bug bite.
• A large hive does not mean you have an allergy. But allergic reactions to the bug saliva can occur.
• The reaction to the bite may not happen right away. It may be a few days before you see anything.
• The redness does not mean the bite is infected.
• It is rare for a serious reaction to occur.
• Bed bugs do not carry any infectious diseases.
• Don't panic: you can get rid of bed bugs in your home.
• Here is some care advice that should help.

Steroid Cream for Itching:

• To reduce the itching, use 1% hydrocortisone cream (such as Cortaid). No prescription is needed.
• Apply 3 times a day until the itch is gone.
• If you don't have hydrocortisone cream, apply a baking soda paste until you can get some.

Allergy Medicine for Itching:

• If the bite is still itchy, take a dose of allergy medicine.
• Benadryl is a good one. No prescription is needed.
• Some allergy meds cause drowsiness. Read the package for details.

Try Not to Scratch:

• Scratching will cause more damage to the skin. That can increase the risk of infection.
• Make every effort not to scratch.
• Cut the fingernails short.

Bed Bug Repellents - Not Helpful:

• Insect repellents do not keep bed bugs from biting.
• Repellents containing DEET (used on skin) and permethrin (used on clothing) do not help.

Removing Bed Bugs from Your Home:

• Getting rid of bed bugs using chemicals requires a licensed pest control service.
• Look on the internet under Pest Control.
• Washing sheets and linens in hot water or dry cleaning them may clear the bugs.
• Mattress covers or mattresses that are infested may need to be thrown away.
• Vacuuming may also help.

What to Expect:

• Any pinkness or redness usually lasts 3 days.
• The swelling may last 7 days.
• The itch may last for 2 weeks.

Call Your Doctor If:

• Bite looks infected (redness gets larger after 48 hours)
• Large red bumps last more than 7 days
• You think you need to be seen
• Your symptoms get worse

Remember! Contact your doctor if you or your child develop any "Contact Your Doctor" symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.




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