How To Get Rid of Bed Bug Bites (10 Best Ways – Home Remedies)
This…this…ugh!!! OMG! Is it a bug bite? 🙁
How to get rid of bed bug bites?
"Goodnight, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite!" This speech has been around for years, but for those with real bed bug infestations, you want to do more than simply avoid the bite.
Bed bugs can be tough to get rid of, and while they are in your house, they will keep laying eggs and the number of little bugs crawling out at night to bite you will keep growing.
There are many considerations on how to get rid of bed bug bites. For thousands of years, humans have unsuccessfully tried to get rid of the pest.
Thankfully, here are a few of the home remedies are successful. The popularity of natural remedies is increasing because bed bugs are becoming resistant to certain pesticides.
In this study, I am continuing to explain you some effective home remedies on how to get rid of bug bites naturally.
What is a Bed Bug?
Bed bugs are the oval-shaped, brown-colored insects which are of the size of apple seeds, and move fast.
They are highly annoying pests which are tough to find out and even harder to remove.
The bed bugs found globally in many different species, but two of the leading species are Cimex hemipterous and Cimex lectularius.
This bug will be everywhere between 1 and 7 millimeters long, relying on where they are in their life-cycle.
Even though their name makes it sound like they just live inside of mattresses or beds, bed bugs can survive in many spaces too, including sofas or couches, sheets, luggage, inside dressers, or bugs that hide in carpet.
Other than motels or homes, places, where it is common to locate bed bugs, include any space where people work or live in tight quarters.
They are also finding especially if space is not cleaned and cluttered like nursing homes, corporate offices, college dorms, schools, hospitals and day care centers.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Bed Bug Bites?
People react to bed bugs apart relying on their power of their immune systems and tolerance to bites.
Rashes resulted in bed bug bites can start out as small macular spots and later enhancement into larger, extremely itchy, dry patches that might “erupt” as they cure.
The great news is that bed bugs themselves are not very risky since they don’t carry harmful bacteria that can cause any lasting viruses or infections in humans.
The study shows that a few bed bugs carry up to 40 different species of bacteria/microbes, but most are harmless.
Here are the most common symptoms of bed the bug bites given below:
- Itching on the skin, occasionally which might become severe
- Skin ejections that might ooze puss before cure
- When the bites heal pigment and dryness changes in the skin
- Small red bumps, which tend to occur zigzags or in lines usually on the arms or legs.
- Bed bug bites are usually flat or just raised in some areas and never have a red ring around the center, which can take place with flea bites.
There is also a sturdy psychological toll related to bed bugs, whereas they can cause anxiety and trouble sleeping for many people.
Remember that not all react to bed bug bites in the same way. A few people experience little to no symptoms from bites, and so have no idea that they have even been bitten.
Others reply to more drastically and can suffer from pain, allergic reactions and fever like symptoms.
Tips for Identifying Bed Bugs
- Because bed bug bites can look same to other bug bites, the best way to identify them is to find the real bugs in your home or look for signs that they leave behind.
- Closely look through your bed, mainly your beds under the lining where you find these insects or their light-colored eggs.
- Confirm to remove all bedding and check it gently for signs of bug feces. Bug “feces” is very small but looks like a dark dot that might be spread throughout your mattress or sheets.
- Also, eliminate the dust cover over the lowest part of your box spring and test the seams in the wood framing of your headboard or bed.
- Take note of any unpleasant smells, whereas bed bugs secrete pheromones same to stink bugs that leave behind a stuffy odor.
How to Get Rid of Bed Bug Bites (10 Proven Ways)
It is mentioned earlier, bed bug bites are not risky, but they can be quite annoying. The symptoms you notice above usually go away in a few weeks.
You can alleviate by using an anti-itch cream which prevents skin infections and reduces itching.
You may also think about taking an antihistamine to control the allergic reaction. An antiseptic cream or lotion may prove helpful if you develop an infection.
It is also possible to treat bites and control your symptoms by applying some natural home remedies.
Here are the top 10 ways on how to get rid of bed bug bites:
1. Using Ice Pack to get rid of bed bug bites fast
Using ice to your injured area help numb the nerve endings, which in turn helps alleviate the itching feeling. Applying an ice pack is also the best way to control the swelling.
How to apply:
- Use a thin towel and wrap a few ice cubes
- Apply it on the affected area
- Remove it after 10 - 15 minutes.
- Repeat as needed until you get rid of this bug bite
2. How to get rid of bed bug bites fast using Soap and Water
Washing the affected area with soap will eliminate the itchiness. Massage the soap on the bites and keep massaging up to lather is formed.
Wash it off with the help of water after the soap dries. Water and soap behave as a mild antiseptic that is why it is utilized to clean the bitten area. ()
3. How to treat bed bug bites using Baking Soda
Baking soda, chemically known as sodium bicarbonate, helps balance acidic chemicals that could be causing the itching from a bed bug bite.
It also helps reduce redness and swelling being an anti-inflammatory agent.
- Add 3 teaspoons of water and1 teaspoon of baking soda
- Use the mixture gently on the bitten area
- Leave it on for about 10 minutes before washing it off
- Apply again after 30 to 45 minutes (if the discomfort persists)
4. Use Neem Oil: Treatment for bed bug bites
Neem oil is a natural pesticide that is obtained from seeds of the neem tree.
Azadirachtin seems to be the active component of neem oil that helps prevent pests and insects due to its strong smell.
The Environmental Protection Agency claimed that neem oil could be effective and safe against bed bugs both in both commercial environments and private homes.
Neem oil also helps to prevent them from reproducing if they are already there.
5. Apply Aloe Vera Gel for bed bug bites treatment
Applying aloe Vera gel is yet an important way to deal with bed bug bites. It makes a calming sensation, especially because of the presence of amino acids as well as the other active ingredients.
Also, Help to remove bed bug bite marks.
It also aids to keep your skin moisturized and stops itching caused by a bed bug and other insect bites.
- Rinse an aloe vera leaf and cut it open
- Collect the gel and use it on your bed bug bites
- Store the rest of gel in the fridge
- Apply it 2 or 3 times a day for a week
6. Lemon juice for bed bug bite treatment
The other easy and great home remedy to remove the discomfort caused by bed bug bites is to utilize lemon juice.
Lemon juice contains citric acid content and also a few medicinal properties that work same to apple cider vinegar in relieving itchy skin.
How to get fast relief from bed bug bites:
- Dip a cotton ball in lemon juice
- Apply to the itchy bed bug rash
- Apply this remedy 2 - 3 times a day to stop the bites itching
7. How to treat bed bug bites using Tea Bags
Tea bags control the intensity of itchiness, swelling and irritation. It contains mild anesthetic features which make it one of the best home remedy for bug bites.
Tea also has Polyphenols, which have anti-inflammatory components that help in getting quick relief from bed bug bites.
- Keep a used tea bag in the fridge
- Place the cooled bag on the bitten area for 15 minutes
- Repeat this process 2-3 times a day
8. How to get rid of bug bites using Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is another useful medication for bed bug bites.
It helps to relieve burning and itching, thanks to its acetic acid content with anti-inflammatory features. If you never have apple cider vinegar, you can apply white vinegar.
- Use unfiltered, raw apple cider vinegar on the bitten area
- Keep it to dry, and then wash your skin
- Repeat this process after a few hours (if the symptoms persist)
9. How to stop bed bug itch applying Oatmeal
Oatmeal is an excellent remedy for skin irritation and itching due to its anti inflammatory and soothing properties. It helps to relieve bed bug bites and other insect bites.
The anti- antioxidant and cleansing effect of oatmeal also quickly reduce redness and swelling associated with painful bites.
A research expressed in the Journal of Drugs and Dermatology found that using a topical treatment of colloidal oatmeal helped reduce skin rashes, itching, eczema, and burns.
How to apply:
- Take a cup of oatmeal
- Grind it well and make a fine powder
- Add plain yogurt to make a smooth paste
- Use this paste to the bitten area for fast relief
- Leave for 20-30 minutes
- Wash it off with lukewarm water
- Apply this treatment 2 to 3 times a day until all redness and itchiness have gone from your skin
You may also add honey to the oatmeal anti-itch remedy to boost its antibacterial potential.
Oatmeal is so useful at getting rid of any skin irritation; you can apply it in a lukewarm bath as a home remedy to prevent itching all over your body.
10. How to get rid of a bug bite applying Cucumber
Cucumber slices and peels can also provide relief from swelling and itching caused by bed bug bites as they have caffeic acid and vitamin C that offer anti-inflammatory benefits.
- Just place a piece of cucumber slice or peel on the affected area
- Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes
- Chill the pieces in the fridge first to get the more soothing effect
- Repeat this remedy 2 - 3 times a day
Conclusion
Bedbugs are a disgusting nuisance. These little insects are smart enough to hide in cracks and crevices and can cause serious itching.
No one likes to share their beds with these annoying blood suckers. Fortunately, you can take control of your bed bug infestation with the remedies mentioned above.
And thus you feel better and become more conscious about the question like how to get rid of bed bug bites without any pesticides.
Applying these home remedies for bed bug will help you to eliminate them without needing to hire an exterminator.
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