
So, it’s your first day of vacation, or your first day home from vacation. You wake up, raring to go. Then you notice odd, itchy red spots on your arms, legs, and other areas. Could it be … bed bugs? In this article, we’ll explain how to identify and treat bed bug bites.
What Does a Bed Bug Bite Look Like?
Bed bug bites usually are small, itchy, and can appear in a line, zigzag pattern, or cluster. On light skin, they are red. On dark skin, they may be a faint pink or purple.
The bugs usually target any part of your body that touches the mattress, including your:
- Face
- Arms
- Legs
- Feet
Note: Bed bugs won’t bite through your nightclothes, but they can slip under them to target you.
Symptoms of bed bug bites include marks that can be:
- Red and swollen with a dark spot in the center.
- Swollen with a fluid-filled blister.
- Similar in appearance to hives.
Note: It’s possible to have a bed bug bite and not know it. Some people have no reaction to bed bug saliva and will never show a mark.
How to Tell if That’s Really a Bed Bug Bite

Some insect bites can be confused with bed bug bites. They include:
Mosquitoes: A mosquito bite can be a puffy, red bump; a hard, itchy, reddish-brown bump; multiple bumps that don’t show up immediately, or small blisters.
Spiders: Spider bites tend to be singular. You may see swelling, red or purple welts, or blisters.
Fleas: Flea bites appear in clusters, too, but usually around feet, legs, elbows, and knees.
Still Unsure? Check Your Surroundings
Bed bugs leave telltale signs. So, if you want definitive proof of a bite, pull the bedding, get a flashlight, and look for evidence. When checking for bed bugs, look for:
- Rusty or reddish stains on sheets, pillows, mattresses, box springs, and any upholstered furniture near the bed.
- Dark spots the size of a dot (bed bug excrement) in the above areas.
- Tiny eggs or pale yellow skins from young bed bugs.
Pro Tip: Be sure to check the headboard and the bedside tables. Bed bugs can live in those, too.
How to Treat Bed Bug Bites
Bites usually are painless at first — the pests inject an anesthetic into your skin. From one to several days later, the CDC says, you’ll see raised bumps that may be sore or burn, but most likely will produce a maddening itch. But there are bed bug bite treatments that can make you more comfortable and help the bites heal.
Home Remedies for Bed Bug Bites

- Soap and water: A wash with any type of soap and cool or lukewarm water will sooth the bites and help prevent infection.
- Cold compresses: Use an ice pack or a cloth dunked in cool water to slightly numb the skin.
- Colloidal oatmeal bath: This can ease inflammation as well as itching. To make your own, grind rolled oats into a fine powder using a blender or food processor. When finished, stir a tablespoon of oats into hot water: If they dissolve, they’re ready. Add a half-cup of oats to a warm (not hot) bath and soak for up to 15 minutes.
- Baking soda: The CDC suggests mixing a tablespoon of baking soda with just enough water to create a paste. Spread the paste on the bites and leave for 10 minutes.
- Vinegar: A drop of apple cider vinegar may relieve the itching. Or soak a washcloth in a vinegar-water mixture for a compress.
- Toothpaste: The menthol in toothpaste is said to cool the itch.
Over-The-Counter Remedies for Bed Bug Bites
- Calamine lotion: Considered a staple treatment for relieving poison ivy symptoms, this OTC remedy will calm the itching of bed bug bites, too.
- Hydrocortisone: You can find this topical remedy in many forms, including creams, gels, ointments and sprays. Hydrocortisone works by calming your body’s immune response to the bite.
- Antihistamines: These come in oral or topical forms. If you have many bites, a pill or capsule will provide more relief. Benadryl is commonly used, but other products, such as Zyrtec and Claritin, also fight itching. They also won’t make you drowsy.
Please, Don’t Scratch Those Bites

It’s easier said than done, but don’t scratch the bites. Admittedly, scratching feels good, but in the long run, you’ll just make things worse. Here’s why:
Scratching any bug bite releases histamine. This molecule signals your body to prepare for an allergy trigger, in this case, bed bug saliva.This is why the bite itches in the first place. Scratching encourages your body to pump more histamine and increase the immune response, which leads to more itching.
It can lead to skin infections. With scratching, your fingernails break down skin cells, which allows bacteria to get in and increase your risk of infection. Unfortunately, fingernails harbor lots of bacteria. A 1988 study by the University of Pennsylvania found that hundreds of thousands of bacteria can lurk under nails.
How to Treat Bed Bug Bites on Children
Many of the same bite treatments for adults also work for babies and children:
- Washing with soap and warm water
- Cold compresses
- OTC anti-itch creams
Talk with your child’s doctor before using topical steroid creams or oral antihistamines.
The “don’t scratch” rule is important to prevent infections such as impetigo. Cutting a baby’s nails short will help ward off scratching. If your toddler can’t understand directions, or your older children can’t help themselves, put a bandage over the bites.
When to Seek Medical Help
While most bed bug bites do heal on their own, there are some situations in which you should call your doctor:
Severe itching: Your doctor may prescribe a steroidal cream to calm the itch.
Signs of infection: If the bites are draining pus or get bigger, or if painful redness or red streaks appear more than 24 hours after the bites. If the redness is paired with a fever, seek help quickly.
When to Get Emergency Help
In some people, bed bug bites can cause a potentially life-threatening reaction. Get immediate help if you begin to feel very sick or have any of these symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing
- Swollen tongue
- Fever
- Irregular heartbeat
How to Prevent Bed Bug Bites While You Sleep

The best way to prevent bed bites is to get rid of the bed bugs. However, the DIY approach to fighting bed bugs can be tricky; the pests can quickly adapt or be dispersed. A professional pest control company will give you the best results.
However, experts suggest a few things that might help until you can schedule a visit from the pest control pros.
- Wash your nightclothes, bedding and nearby washables (including throw rugs) in hot, soapy water and dry them on the hot setting.
- Vacuum or steam clean your mattress (preferably both) to get rid of bugs and eggs. Be sure to clean the equipment and dispose of all filter bags.
- Encase mattress and box spring in bags made for that purpose.
- Try interceptor traps under the bed frame’s legs. Bugs crawl up the trap and fall into its well.
Are There Bed Bugs in Your Home? A History
Yes, it’s possible bed bugs are in your home: Bed bugs are ancient pests, and for our ancestors, infested homes were part of life. With the introduction of the insecticide DDT in the late 1930s, followed by pyrethroid pesticides (DDT was banned in 1972), humans got the upper hand on bed bugs.
But bed bugs are adaptable, and over the decades they have become more resistant to insecticides. They’re also great hitchhikers, so with advancements in modern travel, they can go anywhere. The result: a global resurgence of bed bugs.
The idea that you’ve been bitten by bed bugs can be icky. However, there’s no need to panic. The CDC says that bed bugs are not known to spread disease. Their bites may be uncomfortable and aggravating, but they also are treatable.
FAQ
Can Bed Bugs Bite my Pets?
While bed bugs prefer to snack on humans, they will bite your pets. Usually, bites will appear as red dots or welts on a pet’s legs or belly in the same pattern seen on humans.
The good news is that your pets won’t get sick from bites, Pet MD says: Bed bugs aren’t known to carry diseases. However, the bites will itch, and scratching and licking can lead to a secondary infection. In some cases, pets can have a severe allergic reaction to bites.
Get your pet to a vet immediately if it displays these symptoms:
- Rapid swelling around the face, eyes, and lips.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Vomiting or diarrhea.
Do Bed Bug Bites Multiply if You Scratch Them?
No, scratching doesn’t make the bites spread. What scratching will do, according to Columbia University’s Irving Medical Center, is encourage your body to ramp up its immune response to the bites. That immune response will make the bites become more inflamed and swollen.
How Long Do Bed Bug Bites Last?
Like most insect bites, bed bug bites won’t disappear overnight. According to Seattle Children’s Hospital, you should expect:
- Redness for three days.
- Swelling for about seven days.
- Itching for up to two weeks.
However, if you’ve seen no improvement after seven days, it’s time to call your doctor.
When to Call in the Pros
Battling a bed bug infestation in your home can be tricky, and DIY efforts may not be enough to kill all the pests. A professional pest control company knows how to find and safely eradicate bed bugs from your home so that your family and your pets can have a peaceful night’s sleep.
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Main Image Credit: British Pest Control Association / Flickr / CC BY 2.0