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Bed bug bites on a person: causes, how to look and how to treat
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Bedbug bites are distinguished by the fact that they are often confused with bites of other insects, allergic rashes on the body or even injuries, but the real cause is not immediately suspected.
Are bed bug bites dangerous?
Any insects that suck blood are potential carriers of infections - bacterial or viral. Studies have revealed the presence of such diseases as plague, viral hepatitis, tularemia, and HIV in the bodies of bedbugs.
However, there is no real evidence that bed bugs can transmit these diseases. There has not been a single recorded case of any of these infections being transmitted through a bed bug bite.
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Symptoms bed bug bites
The first sign of a bedbug bite is the appearance of small swollen or flat scars on the skin, located in a line or island on a small area of the body. This tendency occurs because bedbugs prefer to feed from the same place. These bites can itch and turn red.
Another symptom of a bedbug bite is that the wounds appear every night, usually in the same place. Other signs include small spots of blood on the bed or on the sheet.
What do bed bug bites look like?
Bedbug bites look quite remarkable - a line of 4-5 red dots. Among all the parasites that suck blood, bedbugs are the only ones that need to drink blood from several separate wounds in a row to get full.
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Complications and consequences
A bedbug bite can, in addition to general unpleasant symptoms, cause other disorders - if the bite was scratched and an infection got into it. As a result, the general health deteriorates, the temperature at the site of the bite rises - signs of infection appear. To eliminate the symptoms, you need to contact an infectious disease specialist or dermatologist and get qualified help.
Bedbugs are most dangerous for small children, as they have delicate and rather thin skin, which is easier for these insects to bite. In addition, they often have an allergic reaction to such bites, and in the case of a severe infestation of a living space with bedbugs, a child may develop iron deficiency anemia due to regular blood loss.
Allergy to bed bug bites
Bedbug bites can cause serious consequences - for example, an allergic reaction, which results in rashes on the body that itch and hurt a lot. In addition, a person feels severe irritation, his temperature may rise, he may feel dizzy, and he may feel general weakness.
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Differential diagnosis
Bedbug bites can be easily differentiated from other insect bites.
The difference from flea or mosquito bites is that bedbug bites are more grouped, there are quite a lot of them in one area, and they mainly fall on those parts of the body that are covered by a blanket. In addition, their bites have a distinctive red color, and are also painful.
They can be distinguished from tick bites by the fact that they are softer and smaller. In addition, tick bites can be noticed even during the process of feeding, since the tick plunges head first into the wound.
Bee and wasp bites are much more painful than bedbug bites, and bedbug bites are more itchy than painful.
They can be distinguished from allergic or infectious rashes by the presence of a small but visible to the naked eye hole on each wound, through which the bug fed.
Who to contact?
Treatment bed bug bites
To quickly relieve discomfort from a bedbug bite, you can immediately rinse it with warm running water - about 1 minute will be enough. Lubricate it with levomycetin alcohol or iodine. This method will allow you to disinfect the wound.
Bedbug Bite Remedies
In addition to the ointments described below, antihistamines should be used in treatment to avoid the development of an allergic reaction. In this case, such drugs as Tavegil or Suprastin are suitable. In addition, drugs used for sunburn will be useful - they help dry out rashes and protect the skin. To relieve itching, you should take analgesic drugs.
Ointments for bedbug bites
Because bedbugs are also considered blood-sucking insects, like fleas and mosquitoes, ointments that are also used for bites from these parasites are allowed to be used to treat wounds. The most popular and effective preparations include the following ointments.
Fenistil, which has effective antipruritic properties. The active component of this gel is dimethindene maleate, the main function of which is to block histamine conductors H1 (they provoke the appearance of painfully itchy pustules, as well as the development of the inflammatory process in the areas of bedbug bites).
This remedy is used to eliminate the consequences of bites, as well as allergic reactions (swelling, urticaria, itching), drug or food allergies. But it should be taken into account that Fenistil cannot be applied to infants under 1 year old.
Psilo-balm contains the effective substance diphenhydramine, which also helps block H1-histamine receptors. This property helps the gel strengthen small blood vessels and reduce tissue swelling in the bite area. In addition, the medicine has cooling and antipruritic properties.
This gel is great for treating bedbug bites, as it helps relieve itching and pain. In addition, it effectively dries out the crusts that form at the site of the lesion.
Elidel cream is suitable in case of a severe allergic reaction to a bedbug bite, such as eczema or atopic dermatitis. It can be used in courses, not only for adults, but also for children aged 3 months and older.
The active component of the cream is pimecrolimus, which has anti-inflammatory and restorative properties. In addition to children under 3 months, contraindications also include suspected development of a fungal or bacterial infection in the wound.
Bepanten cream or ointment. Although it is not an anti-inflammatory-antipruritic medicine, the active substance dexpanthenol contained in its composition gives it moisturizing, regenerating and healing properties, which allows it to have a beneficial effect on the places bitten by bedbugs.
In addition, another advantage of this product is the ability to use it even for newborns. This ointment is often used to treat or prevent diaper rash, dermatitis and other inflammations in infants. The cream is used to treat bedbug bites that have caused a moderate reaction - slight swelling and redness.
In case of more severe consequences, it is recommended to consult a doctor. In such cases, they usually prescribe hormonal ointments - hydrocortisone, Afloderm or Advantan. They have general anti-allergic, and in addition, antipruritic and anti-inflammatory properties. They are used when there is a sharp and strong allergic reaction to the bite of a blood-sucking parasite.
Hormonal ointments should be used very carefully, because they are usually prohibited in the case of an already developed purulent inflammatory process. They are contraindicated during pregnancy, as well as for children under 1 year old.
If a bedbug bite causes severe itching and swelling (or pustules with ulcers), antibiotic ointments may be prescribed, such as erythromycin. These products effectively eliminate the infection that has entered the wound.
Folk remedies
Bedbug bites can be treated using traditional medicine methods:
- Treat the bitten area with mint leaves - this will help relieve pain;
- Mash the dandelion and apply the resulting gruel to the affected area, then bandage the bite;
- To relieve swelling and itching, you can moisten the bitten areas with a sponge, which must first be soaked in urine;
- To relieve pain, swelling and irritation, you can apply a tampon soaked in garlic juice to the bites;
- Parsley leaves also help relieve pain and swelling;
- For 2-3 hours, you can apply a bird cherry or plantain leaf to the bitten area, and after removing it, treat the affected area with a soda solution;
- Cut the onion head into several pieces and apply them to the injured areas with the cut side.
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Prevention
Prevention is the complete destruction of bedbugs, and only the chemical method gives a 100% result. In this case, insecticides are used that affect both adult bedbugs and their larvae. It is very difficult to get rid of these insects on your own, so it is better to use the help of specialists.
Special contact agents are used for destruction. A diluted concentrate is used, which must be applied to the entire area of the room (walls, baseboards). In addition, all bed linen must be ironed and all carpets, as well as blankets with mattresses and pillows, must be dry-cleaned.
Insecticide treatment should be carried out in a well-ventilated room. The mouth and nose should be covered with a gauze bandage, and rubber gloves should be put on the hands.
Forecast
Bedbug bites in most cases have a favorable prognosis - if there is no allergic reaction to them, they are safe for health. But you cannot allow them to multiply (as this can cause great discomfort), so after identifying the cause of bites on the body, it is necessary to destroy the insects living in the house as quickly as possible.