Bed Bug Bite Symptoms

Identifying Bed Bug Bite Symptoms

Chances are you will not feel a bite from a bed bug as it happens, but if bitten, you will notice a number of bed bug bite symptoms the following day. A bed bug bite can look almost identical to one caused by mosquitoes, fleas, ants, lice and other parasitic blood feeding insects, but the symptoms of a bed bug bite will assure you where the bite came from.

The first of many bed bug bite symptoms is multiple small, flat or raised welts on the skin that develop in a linear or clustered pattern, which can turn red and become itchy. The pattern of bed bug bites results from their tendency to feed on the same location more than once. Scratching these areas may also result in infection.

Another common bed bug bite symptom is the development of large, clustered pattern and itchy welts, which appear on a daily basis, as bed bugs tend to feed on humans every night. Tiny blood spots on bedding materials and stains on bed sheets from bed bug waste also tend to appear in an instance of bed bug infestation.

People who are sensitive to bed bug bites may also develop localized allergic reactions and/or rashes that may become extremely itchy. These types of rashes generally show up a few hours after a bite but could also take a few days or even a week to appear. A bed bug rash will usually last for two or three days and then fade away slowly.

Bed Bug Bite Treatment Options

Bed bug bite treatment may include local antiseptic lotions, antibiotic creams or oral antihistamines, each one designed to treat severe itchiness and infection. For fast relief from bed bug itchiness, run the bite under lukewarm water for about one minute to minimize inflammation. Hydrocortisone cream also helps with bed bug itch and resolves rashes rather quickly.

Disclaimer: Statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These statements and products are not intended to diagnose, treat and cure or prevent disease.