Everyone would agree that bed bugs are really annoying. These insects usually hide in soft, warm places such as beds, couches, and clothing. They feed on their hosts at night. The ones who get bitten will usually get small bite marks at their skin. While it is true that these marks are rarely dangerous, it is a must for them to be treated as soon as possible to prevent the unwanted symptoms and to prevent the potential allergic reactions.
When you get bed bug bites, you might have no idea what to do and might be wondering what is the best treatment to treat these bites. For those who are looking for the treatment for bed bug bites on skin, here are some that you can try:
Method 1: Wash the bites with soap and water
Upon seeing the itching from the bed bug bites, the first thing that you have to do is to wash the bites. You can use mild soap and water to do it. Washing the areas that are affected with soapy water is recommended as it is proven to be effective to help reduce itchiness. Not only that, it is also good to prevent a skin infection.
Please use a bar of soap and enough water to wet the surface of your skin. Apply the soap on your skin and rub it until it turns into a thick, soapy lather. Feel free to rub the thick, soapy lather over the area that is affected. Do it again until the whole area is covered. Leave it for a while and do not wash it right away to allow the soap lather to dry over the areas that are bitten by these insects. Just like that, you should experience relief from itching.
Method 2: Use home remedies to relieve itching
There are some home remedies that you can try to relieve the itching caused by the bed bug bites. Some of them include:
- Ice pack: In order to control the pain, swelling and itchiness that are caused by the bed bug bites, you can also apply an ice pack. By applying the ice pack, all these symptoms can be relieved. It works by numbing the nerves. When the nerves are numbed, the itchiness and the swelling will be reduced. Do not forget to wrap the ice first in a towel or cloth. It is prohibited to apply the ice directly to your skin.
- Tea bags: If there is no ice pack in your home, you can also use tea bags. The astringent, tannins and mild anesthetic properties in the tea is not only helpful to numb the effects but also can help to relieve the discomfort. If you want, you can also repeat the application.
- Banana peels: After eating bananas, do not throw away the peels as they are actually helpful. These banana peels can be used to relieve the itchiness and irritation caused by bed bug bites. There are anti-inflammatory properties inside the portion of the banana peel, which is useful to be used to treat bed bug bites. If you want to try this, you can just rub the banana peels on the area that is affected. To relieve the discomfort, please follow the steps more than once a day.
Method 3: Apply a steroidal anti-itch over the counter cream
You are able to use a cream that has hydrocortisone or cortisone to be able to treat bed bug bites. One of the examples is Cortaid. This kind of cream is able to reduce inflammation and itching. A 1% hydrocortisone cream is available to buy from any drugstore or pharmacy. Go ask your doctor which cream and brand that is good for you.
After getting one, the next thing that you need to do is to apply it. In order to apply the cream correctly, you can just follow the instructions written on the package. One of the good things about this cream is the fact that it is very mild. On top of that, it will not cause side effects if it is used for a short period of time, such as a week.
If you want, it is also possible for you to get a stronger corticosteroid cream. However, it will be needed for you to get a prescription from your doctor for this.
Method 4: Use calamine lotion
The calamine lotion may give some symptomatic relief from the itching when it is applied to the bed bug bites. Apart from that, it also has the ability to help to dry the rash as well as protecting the skin as it heals.
Method 5: Take oral antihistamine
Aside from these methods above, you can also try to take oral antihistamines to help control the allergic reaction such as the swelling and rash that are caused by the bed bug bites. One of the oral antihistamines that you can take is diphenhydramine (Benadryl). If you have no idea how many that you can take, please check out the information about the proper dosages found on the package. On the same package, you will also be able to find the instructions to take it. Please follow the instructions well. Before taking Benadryl, you should know that it can cause drowsiness. If you are currently driving, please avoid taking it. Aside from the pill one, there is also OTC antihistamine cream that you can apply to the areas that are affected.
Method 6: Get a pain relief
If you feel discomfort from the bed bug bites, you can take OTC anti inflammatory analgesic oral medication, such as naproxen, ibuprofen, or aspirin. If you have no confidence about the usage and whether it is okay for you to take these, it is better for you to ask your doctor.
Method 7: See a doctor
In case the bed bug bites are still there even after one or two weeks, you are encouraged to see a doctor. Go see a doctor if you have multiple bites, blisters, signs of skin infection (tenderness or oozing discharge), an allergic skin reaction (reddened, swollen skin or hives), and so on. If you have a serious allergic reaction, be ready as your doctor may want to give you an injection of an antihistamine, corticosteroid, or epinephrine (adrenaline).
