What To Do About Bed Bug Bites

Bed bugs are bad news if they end up in your home, school, office, hotel, or anywhere. They are a menace that’s hard to spot, and difficult to get rid of.

The bites caused by bed bugs are itchy and can make for uncomfortable, sleepless nights. In some cases, multiple or severe bites can lead to problems if not treated.

“Bed bugs make life miserable for people,” says Anita Beecham-Robinson, MD, a family medicine doctor at Columbia. “I have seen patients with bed bug rashes ranging from small and mild to covering their entire body and resulting in significant infection.”

We asked Dr. Beecham-Robinson about bed bugs and what to do if you find bites.

How do you know if you have bed bugs?

Bed bugs are flat and brownish, roughly the size of apple seeds. They can also show up as tiny, white, or off-white eggs.

Unfortunately, the first sign of exposure to bed bugs is often the one you most want to avoid: bites. If your family notices bites, the best places to check first are your mattress and the seams of your upholstered furniture. In addition, bed bugs can be found in your suitcase, clothing, cardboard boxes, wall corners or crevices, and many other places.

What do bed bug bites look like?

Bed bug bites often show up as small clusters of tiny bites or red welts grouped together. People can confuse bed bug bites with a rash, hives, or even chickenpox. To know if bed bugs are the culprit, you need to look for signs of the bugs in your home.

How do bed bugs get in your home?

They generally come from other places that are infested with them, ranging from a hotel to the local bus, and they breed rapidly.

How do you get rid of bed bug bites?

To get relief from itchy bites and prevent infection, wash your skin and bites with soap and water. Use corticosteroid cream (you can buy it over the counter at a drug store or ask a doctor about prescription options) or Aveeno cream. Bed bug bites should heal and go away in one to two weeks.

However, to completely get rid of bed bug bites you must get rid of bed bugs. There are many eradication methods to consider, from DIY treatments using heat or steam cleaners to professional treatments through a pest control company. If you rent, don’t hesitate to notify your landlord. In New York City, landlords are legally required to eradicate and correct a bed bug problem.

When do you see a doctor if you have bites?

Although bed bug bites can often heal on their own, some people are allergic to bed bugs and can get hives. In addition, severe itching and scratching could lead to a localized infection.

Contact a doctor or dermatologist as soon as possible if you see severe bites or symptoms, such as:

• Blisters
• Hives
• Red or swollen skin
• A skin infection

Is there one question patients always ask about bites?

Are bed bug bites contagious? No, the bites are not contagious, but the bed bugs themselves can spread and bite someone else.

How do you avoid bed bugs?

It’s easier to prevent bed bug infestations than it is to eradicate them after they’ve moved in. Do your best to avoid bringing bed bugs into your home by being vigilant when you travel and following these prevention tips:

• Check used furniture—especially couches, upholstered chairs, and beds—before buying
• Check web comments about hotels before traveling to find out what other people experienced
• Inspect hotel rooms (such as under and around mattresses) before you unpack
• Check your clothing and bags—especially along the seams and zippers—when you return home. Put your clothing through the washer and dryer.
• Carry clean laundry back from the laundromat or building laundry room in clean bags and fold your clothes at home
• Vacuum your home frequently
• Cover mattresses and box springs with sealed bed bug-resistant covers