Bed bug bite rates are going up all around the world, presumably as a result of pesticide resistance. Because of this, the need for treating bed bug bites is greater than ever.

The one bit of good news we can pass along is that even if you end up with a need to be treating bed bug bites, the bites are really not dangerous to humans. As of right now, there have been only occasional reports of bed bug bites causing anything more significant than irritations and inflammation. They are generally more of an annoyance than anything.

You might not even notice when a bed bug bites you as you not only are probably asleep at the time, but the bites don't hurt. It's not until you discover the red, swollen spots and feel the itching that you realize you have been bitten.

Before treating bed bug bites, you will want to make sure that you have in fact been bitten by a bed bug and not a different insect.

How To Identify Bed Bug Bites:

First, you can visually inspect the sleeping area and bedding for evidence of bed bugs. Using double tape near mattress seams overnight is a good way to check as they are active during the night and some should end up stuck to the tape by the morning. Check for tiny wingless bugs that are brownish in color. They are flat and somewhat oval in their shape.

A lot of people mistake a bed bug rash for a typical household insect bite rash. The bites look a lot like fleas, ants, or mosquitoes. One difference between a bed bug bite versus a mosquito bite where the bite is located; mosquitoes tend to get you just about anywhere on the body, where bed bugs most easily feed on the parts of your body that would be exposed while you are sleeping, like on the hands, face, neck, and arms. Another good indicator you have a bed bug bite and not some other type is if you get bitten every night while sleeping.

Bed Bug Bite Symptoms:

Everybody reacts different to bed bug bites; some have no reaction, some have a fairly large reaction, and some will have a delayed reaction.

Usually a bed bug rash or multiple small bumps will become apparent a few hours after the bite occurs. There are some people who will not develop a rash until up to a week later. Some bed bug bites show up as red, itchy welts. Most of the time they appear in clusters.

The rash from bed bug bites lasts for a couple days and then lessens. People who have allergic reactions to insect bites in general might have them last a week or longer and end up needing some type of remedy help it go away. In more severe reactions, the host has quite a severe reaction with welt and major swelling.

As is the rule with all insect bites, scratching it can result in inflammation. You don't want to scratch the bites and risk infection.

Below are a few pictures of bed bug bites to help you get an idea of what to look for.

Tips For Treating Bed Bug Bites:

• Don't scratch the bites because it only makes the reaction worse.
• Wash the affected area with warm water and soap.
• The most popular method of treating bed bug bites is the use of anti-itch creams. You can use anesthetic creams, or an anti-itch cream such as Benadryl, or hydrocortisone creams such as Cortaid. Calamine lotion is also a good choice.
• Reduce swelling with an ice pack.
• A simple and inexpensive remedy you can make at home is a paste comprised of water and baking soda. You just combine the two to form a thick paste that you put on your bites and then let it dry. Once it is dry, simply wash the paste off.
• You can make a similar paste with water and aspirin, or make a paste with powdered oatmeal that you apply to the bites for a soothing effect.
• If you prefer to soak in a tub, you can add powdered oatmeal to the bath or peppermint oil instead. Both are known to relieve itching.
• Try applying an astringent such as witch hazel for relieve itching.
• Gel from the aloe plant is useful for many types of bites and not just for treating bed bug bites. It is not only soothing, but it contains some antibiotic properties.
• Call your doctor if the bite becomes infected.

We hope these suggestions gave you get an idea on how to treat bed bug bites, but keep in mind that getting rid of them completely is the best solution. Browse through this site for more information on getting rid of bed bugs, including the home page which will help you choose a bed bug spray.