Bed bug bites usually occur on the legs and upper body area; the arms, neck and shoulders. Many times bed bug bites are not recognized because they are thought to be something else. Bed bug bites are generally small bumps that are very itchy. They are normally red, with centralized inflammation and swelling. Some may have a red scab or look like pimples. Some bed bugs bites may be larger or smaller than the average, but usually they are just small red marks that look like bad mosquito bites and are mistaken for flea or mosquito bites or other common skin conditions.
Everyone can react differently to bed bug bites. As many as 70% of people may not react to bed bugs bites at all while many others can have an allergic reaction. Although bed bug bites are not dangerous, they can cause severe itching in humans who are allergic to bed bug's saliva. Bed bug bite irritation is actually an allergic reaction to chemicals injected by bed bugs when they bite a person. When a bed bug bites it injects its saliva into the skin through one tube, numbing the area, and sucks the blood out through another.
People who have an allergic reaction to the anesthetic in bedbugs saliva will develop raised red bumps or flat welts. These are very itchy and usually cause great discomfort. The painful and itchy sensations that come from bed bugs bites are caused by this allergic reaction to the insect's saliva. These bites can become inflamed, itchy, red, and sore. The worst results from bed bug bites are when they swell, form blisters or result in small loss of skin tissue.
There really is no standard treatment for bed bug bites. They won't make you sick unless they are allowed to get infected. It's best to cleanse the area so that your skin stays free from infection. Bed bug bites can become infected and inflamed easily. Cleaning with cool water and soap will help to reduce the itchiness and the swelling of the bites. Apply ice and use an antihistamine cream or no itch cream.
Conversely, the application of heat either from a hair dryer or heated cloth can help to relieve an area of irritation. Antihistamines help relieve itching but have no further effect on the actual bites. Systemic corticosteroids also relieve the itching, burning sensation but also have no other effect on the bites. Oral or topical steroids like prednisone or hydrocortisone are effective for treating bed bug bites. But treatment of bed bugs bites only tackles a small part of the problem. The most effective treatment is to actually get rid of these unwanted visitors.
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