There is no denying that bed bug bites are one of the most unpleasant skin problems that can affect our lives. However, with a few proactive measures, itchiness caused by bed bug bites can be reduced. Bed bug bites can be extremely itchy, but there are steps you can take to make the bites less painful and to stop the itching. Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are small, parasitic insects that feed on blood, usually at night. In general, bed bug bites will look like a small red welt with roughly round edges. Contrary to popular belief, bed bug bites can be treated at home without the use of chemicals and/or costly treatments from a physician. In this article, I’ll share some simple, easy tips on how to treat bed bug bites yourself, as well as some tricks for instant itch relief! Bed bug bites can be a nightmare, especially for those sleeping in bunkers or tents. Your legs and arms may be covered with dozens of bites, itching like crazy and it seems that there is no place to hide or get relief. There are numerous products sold online and offline to treat bed bug bites, but after years of dealing with these little pests I have discovered some home remedies that work fairly well. Bed bug bites can be tremendously annoying and frustrating. Those tiny but almost invisible bugs feeding from your blood are very hard to see, and you need to be 100% sure before you start treating them. This also applies for the most commonly used anti-itch lotions and sprays that may not be helping at all. A red, itchy, lumpy bite on your body is a sign of bed bug bites. The good news is that you can reduce the itchiness of bed bug bites with some simple home remedies. There are many other things you could try with amazing results, like these:
How To Stop Bed Bug Bites From Itching
Introduction
Bed bugs are incredibly small, irritating insects that can make your life a living hell. They hide during the day and come out at night to feed on human blood. While they don’t spread diseases, their bites can be extremely itchy and cause small, red bumps that can last for several days. If you have an infestation of bed bugs, it’s important to handle the situation as soon as possible. They’re notoriously hard to get rid of, so getting them out of your house is a top priority. However, while you’re handling that problem or waiting for professional assistance to arrive, there are ways to stop bed bug bites from itching. Here are 14 methods:
Wash the Affected Area
Wash the affected area with soap and water.
Use a washcloth to scrub the area vigorously for at least 30 seconds at a time.
Wash the area with warm water, especially if it’s inflamed or irritated from scratching. (Cold water will sting!)
Repeat this step until your skin is no longer raw or irritated, which should take between three and five rounds of washing and scrubbing.
Cool Compress
- A cold compress is an effective way to reduce swelling and inflammation. You can use a cold pack or apply cold water, but you must be careful not to get the skin too wet as this will increase the likelihood of infection. If you have access to ice cubes, they will provide more immediate relief than even refrigerated water. The compress is applied for 15-20 minutes at a time, then removed for 30 minutes before reapplication. Repeat for up to two days until the itching has subsided significantly.
Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe Vera is a natural remedy for bed bug bites.
It’s an anti-inflammatory, moisturizer and antiseptic that can help with the itching and redness you may have after being bitten. Aloe Vera gel also prevents infection in your skin after a bite.
Lemon Juice
One of the best ways to stop bed bug bites from itching is applying lemon juice to the affected area. This helps because it is a natural antiseptic, antihistamine and astringent.
To apply lemon juice:
- Wet a paper towel with water and squeeze half of a lemon into it.
- Apply this mixture directly onto your bite or rash using circular motions for about five minutes until you notice relief from itching.
Repeat several times throughout the day if needed until symptoms go away completely.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic and anti-inflammatory that can help reduce the itching and inflammation caused by bed bug bites. Tea tree oil can be difficult to find in stores, but you can easily purchase it online or even grow your own tea tree plant if you’re lucky enough to live somewhere with a climate that supports its growth.
Once you have your tea tree oil, apply it directly to the affected area (this works best if the skin is dry). You may need to reapply several times per day until the bites heal completely.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is a natural astringent that helps to dry out the skin, which helps reduce swelling and inflammation. It’s a popular ingredient in many skincare products, and can be found in most pharmacies. Witch hazel can be used by itself or mixed with other ingredients such as water or aloe vera gel to make a spray for your bed bug bites.
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a great way to fight bed bug bites. ACV works by killing the bed bugs, as well as their eggs. It can also help you get rid of other pests that might be in your home!
There are many different ways to use ACV:
- You can soak cotton balls in ACV and place them around your room while you sleep. This will help keep the bugs away from you at night.
Vanilla Extract With Alcohol and Water
Vanilla extract alone or combined with water and alcohol can be used to treat bed bug bites. Mix one tablespoon vanilla extract with one cup of alcohol, then add two cups of water. Apply this mixture to the affected area using a cotton swab, letting it dry before putting on clothes.
Baking Soda and Apple Cider Vinegar Paste
- Mix baking soda and water to make a paste.
- Apply the paste to the affected area.
- Leave it on for 10-15 minutes, or until it dries out.
- Wash off with warm water afterward.
Essential Oils for Bed Bug Bites
Essential oils are a popular treatment for bed bug bites. The most effective essential oils for treating bed bug bites are tea tree oil, lavender oil and lemon oil. These three essential oils have been shown to have a calming effect on the skin, reducing inflammation and redness caused by bed bug bites.
Tea tree oil is considered one of the best natural remedies for treating all types of skin conditions including bug bites, eczema and fungal infections such as athlete’s foot or ringworm (tinea). Tea tree oil provides relief from itching while also helping speed up healing time.
Lavender oil has long been used as a home remedy for various ailments including sore muscles after exercise or injury; itchy scalp; sunburned skin; insect stings and stinging nettle rash (urticaria). It is also known to contain strong antibacterial properties that can help soothe infected areas such as bee stings or an allergic reaction to poison ivy/oak/sumac plants.
There are many ways to relieve the itching, pain and general discomfort of bed bug bites.
You’ll also want to treat your mattress, box spring and other soft furniture with a vapor-repellent product. This will help prevent bed bugs from returning.
If you have more than one room that is infested, it may be time to call in an exterminator. Don’t worry—they’ll make sure the exterior of your home is clean too, so no other pests are able to sneak in while they’re working inside.
Conclusion
Everyone is different and will react differently to the same bite, so it may be a case of trial and error to find out what works best for you. However, there are some common recommendations on how to stop bed bug bites from itching that can help in almost any situation. From using essential oils directly on the site of the itch, to using ice packs or baking soda paste, you have many choices when it comes to relieving your discomfort. We hope our guide has been helpful in giving you some ideas about how to stop bed bug bites from itching.
- 3.5-ounce tube of Benadryl Extra-Strength Cooling Itch Stopping Anti-Itch Gel for fast cooling relief from skin pain and itching from most outdoor itches
- Provides relief from most outdoor itches associated with insect bites, sunburn, scrapes, minor skin irritations, burns, and minor cuts
- Soothing anti-itch gel also provides relief from itching associated with rashes caused by poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac
- Cooling gel formula contains 2% of the topical analgesic pain reliever diphenhydramine hydrochloride that works by blocking histamines to relieve itches associated with several ailments
- Intended for use by those ages 2 and up, soothing gel offers itch relief for kids and adults alike and is great to keep on hand during outdoor activities such as camping, hiking or taking a walk with the family
Additional Info :
Item Dimensions | |
Height | 6.35 Inches |
Width | 2.43 Inches |
Length | 1.47 Inches |
Weight | 3.5 ounces |
Release Date | 2015-06-22T00:00:01Z |
- Removes insect venom, saliva, and other irritants left under the skin using suction
- By removing the irritant, the body stops producing the reaction that is causing you to itch & swell
- Works on: mosquitoes, bees, wasps, biting flies, no-see-ums, chiggers, sea lice & more
- Compact, lightweight, reusable and easy to carry
- Clinically Proven, kid friendly, 100% guarantee
Additional Info :
Color | Single |
Item Dimensions | |
Height | 1 Inches |
Width | 3 Inches |
Length | 5 Inches |
Weight | 0.01984160358 Pounds |
- ✅ CHEMICAL-FREE TREATMENT: Bite Away is an electronic device that provides symptomatic relief for bites and stings caused by insects such as mosquitoes, wasps and bees.
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- ✅ SAFE & EFFECTIVE: Bite Away is FDA-Cleared, Dermatologist-Tested, and uses patented multi-level safety technology. It works by safely applying concentrated heat through the ceramic contact surface. Please note: the heat can be surprising and intense for some, but only lasts 3 or 5 seconds. Temperatures will only reach 128° which is cooler than an average sauna or cup of coffee.
Additional Info :
Color | White |
Item Dimensions | |
Height | 1.13 Inches |
Width | 0.87 Inches |
Length | 6.5 Inches |
- STOP ITCHY BITES FROM RUINING YOUR FUN Handy pocket size twist up stick is easy to carry so you can always be prepared when insect bites happen (and they always do). If you or someone you know is sensitive or allergic to mosquito bites (including baby) this convenient itch reliever will be YOUR NEW FAVORITE FIND for camping, hiking and any outdoor activity
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- MULTIPLE USES Not just bites, but also chapped or irritated skin, bumps, bruises, small cuts, scratches, chapped lips, sunburn, minor campfire burns, dry skin, CPAP machine nose sores, poison ivy and oak, scabies, eczema, jellyfish stings and as a treatment for other insect bites like chigger, flea, spider mite, gnat, bed bug, no see um and horse fly
- STOPS ITCH AND PAIN FAST thanks to the deep penetrating power of emu oil. EMU OIL ABSORBS INTO THE SKIN BETTER and faster than any other oil BECAUSE IT’S SO SIMILAR TO HUMAN SKIN OIL. This makes it the perfect base oil to carry the other anti itch and skin soothing ingredients with it for MAXIMUM EFFECT
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Additional Info :
- Relives itch and irritation from hives, bug bites, heat rash, poison oak, chafed skin, and bee stings
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Additional Info :