Advice To Identify And First Aid Bed Bug Bites

Every week, there is a new article or information about a different bed bug species found in a topflight hotel or an Air BNB location. The bugs are adapting, and so are the methods of combating them. Even though they have been around for hundreds of years, it wasn’t until the past century that the bed bug became a global problem with the invention of tourism and air travel to all corners of the globe. These small red bugs are no longer a problem in many parts of the world, but they are still an endemic problem in some. They thrive in dirty environments, typically in old, unhygienic hotels and rental properties. Anyone who has travelled as a backpacker will have firsthand knowledge of these pesky little mites, but do not be fooled by the stereotype. They can travel from place to place in the luggage of international travellers and are frequently found in five-star hotels across the globe. In most developed countries, they are not a huge problem that cannot be treated and eradicated on the spot. Here are some useful tips on dealing with bed bug bites and preventing them in the future.

What Are Bed Bug Bites

Bed bug bites are the result of the bed bugs’ saliva interacting with skin cells. The bites usually occur while the bed bug is feeding, but they can also happen while the host sleeps. Bed bug bites are usually small red bumps, but they can also be itchy, raised red areas. They typically itch a lot and develop redness within an hour of being bitten, and they can take a few days to heal. Bed bug bites are usually painless, but they can feel like a burning sensation.

How To Identify Bed Bug Bites

Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown insects that feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals. They prefer to nest near humans and hide in cracks or crevices during the day. If a bed bug bites you, it will inject an antihistamine that numbs pain at the injury site and causes swelling. The most apparent sign of being bitten by them is a line of bites. These carnivorous insects like to travel up your arm or leg, taking continuous blood samples as they go in a straight line. Bed bug bites are typically painless, but they can be uncomfortable. On close inspection, you may be able to tell if someone has been bitten. Bed bug bites often look like tiny pimples, but you can also tell them apart by their colouring. Bed bug bites are usually red, and they may also have a slightly raised, bumpy surface. Bed bug bites often occur on areas exposed while sleeping, like the arms, legs, knees, and face.

Ways To Deal With Bed Bug Bites

The most effective way to deal with Bed Bugs is by using isopropyl alcohol or heat. Hair driers, clothes dryers, steam cleaning, and vacuuming are natural ways to kill the pests. Rubbing alcohol placed into a spray bottle and applied to the affected site will kill the little mites on contact. You can also purchase plenty of industrial solutions that claim to kill the bugs but save yourself the money and buy a bottle of rubbing alcohol from your local supermarket or chemist. If you have been bitten and the bite sites are driving you crazy, you can take a bath in Epsom salt to help absorb the itching and reduce the redness. You can also use antihistamines to reduce the itching and make the bites feel less intense. Antihistamines reduce the itching, but they don’t kill the bed bugs. You can use over-the-counter antihistamines like Benadryl or Loratadine, that are the most reliable and readily available in pharmacies and most of the big five retailers and suppliers. There is always the age-old calamine lotion to help relieve the itching if you can handle the pink blobs and the smell.

Tips For Preventing Bed Bug Bites

Bed bug bites are difficult to prevent, but you can make it harder for the bugs to spread by keeping your home clean and tidy and avoiding bringing them home in your belongings. Make sure your hotel room is clean, and don’t bring bed bugs home in your suitcase. If you travel, keep your suitcase closed and clean it thoroughly before putting it in the closet or taking it home. If you are a frequent traveller and are worried about bringing home bed bugs, you can specifically request a hotel room that has been recently treated. Another way to prevent bed bug bites is to use bed protection. A bed protector is a fitted sheet set designed to trap bed bugs underneath it. Bed protection is a great option for people who backpack and enter locations that would likely have a bed bug problem. The UK is the most consistently ranked hotspot for Bed Bugs.

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