How to Treat Bed Bug Bites

Howdy Friends! I put together some fantastic information on how to treat bed bug bites. If you are dealing with an infestation and the bites are driving you bonkers, here are some steps you can take for some much needed relief. Bed bug bites rarely require medical treatment. However, there are some very important things you should know if you are dealing with an insect infestations.

So what do these bite marks look like? To be quite honest, that is a difficult question to answer! Everyone's skin reacts differently. Some people have no reaction at all. Bite marks can also look very similar to that of a spider or mosquito. Having bites does not always mean you have infestation. Check out my Instructable on how to detect bed bugs so you can be certain that you are treating the correct problem.

Knowing how to treat a bed bug bite properly is very important for a couple of different reasons. These insidious insects are known
to carry over 30 different pathogens. These include (but are not limited to)
viruses, parasitic worms and bacteria. However, take a deep breath and relax.
Researchers have confirmed that these human pathogens cannot be transmitted to
us.

Despite what you may have heard, bed bugs do not transmit
MRSA either. There have been reports of MRSA infections associated with these
insect bites. These reports arise due to people not knowing how to
treat a bed bug bite properly. Reports of this nature arise from individuals who already have MRSA on their skin (but do not know it). When they itch and
scrape the bite marks, it gives the
MRSA a gateway into the body.

That gives us a good idea of how dangerous it is if you
don't know how to treat bed bug bites properly. This is not a problem that you
can just ignore. Doctors say that long term exposure to bites can cause
sleeplessness, nervousness and frequent agitation. Also, as we discussed with
the MRSA, secondary infections are always a concern. Signs of a secondary
reaction include warmth, fever, excessive swelling, anemia or anaphylactic
reactions. Some of these are rare but if you develop any of them, you should
contact your physician immediately. You doctor will know how to safely treat
each of these symptoms.

1: Wash the bitten area for a few minutes with
antiseptic soap. Rinse with cold water.





2: Soothe the bites and relieve itching with any of
these home remedies:

• Ice or an Ice Pack
• Hot Wash Cloth
• Coconut oil
• Lavender Oil
• Mint
• Fresh Garlic
• Red Pepper
• Lemon Juice
• Witch Hazel
• Rubbing Alcohol
  
  
  
  

3: Further Treatment and Sanitation:

• Make a solution of alka-seltzer and and dab the wounds with
  a cotton ball
  
  
  Warm bath with baking soda
• Mix cornstarch and water into a thick paste and apply it to
  the wounds. This will rid the affected areas of toxins.
  
  
  
• 
  
  Apply Aloe Vera gel (for antibiotic properties)

4: Treating Bed Bug Bites With Over The Counter
Products:

If you are experiencing severe itching, use a topical steroid cream or an oral antihistamine. We want to avoid itching at all costs.