How to Treat Bed Bug Bites?

In this article, you will find some effective home remedies to treat bed bug bites. Bedbugs are small oval shaped creepy insects that feed on humans and the animal’s blood. They are active during the night and bite the exposed areas such as the face, neck, and legs. These tiny bloodsuckers hide in the cracks and crevices and come out at night to disturb your peaceful sleep. These evil creatures can enter your house through luggage, clothing, shoes and furniture. You can develop symptoms like red itchy bumps and rashes.

Home Remedies to Treat Bed Bug Bites

1. Baking Soda to Cure Bed Bug Bites:

Bed bugs stay hydrated due to the waxy layer on their shell. Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate is a natural absorbent which absorbs all the fluid and causes the bed bug to dehydrate. Besides this, the anti-inflammatory properties of baking soda reduce the redness and swelling of the affected area. It is a good choice as it prevents itching by neutralizing acidic chemicals.

How to Use:

• In two teaspoons of water add one teaspoon of baking soda.
• Apply this mixture on the bed bug bites.
• Leave it for about 10 to 15 minutes.
• Rinse the area with normal water.
• Repeat the process again after 40 to 50 minutes.
• Continue doing this until you get relief.

2. Lemon to Get Rid of Bed Bug Bites:

The astringent properties of lemon prevent the itching and help the rashes to dry out that is caused by the bed bug bite. It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that reduce swelling and redness. All these qualities make lemon a good choice to treat bed bug bites.

How to Use:

• Take one tablespoon of lemon juice.
• Soak a cotton ball in this solution.
• Dab the cotton on the affected area.
• Leave it for a few minutes.
• Clean the area with normal water.
• Repeat the remedy until you get relief.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar for Bed Bug Bites:

A bite of bed bugs is accompanied by redness, swelling, rashes, and itching. This can really cause a lot of trouble. But don’t worry the acetic content of apple cider vinegar has anti-inflammatory properties that will give you relief from itching, swelling and related problems.

How to Use:

• Soak a cotton ball in raw apple cider vinegar.
• Place the cotton ball on the bed bug bites.
• Leave it for a few minutes.
• Do this several times a day to treat bed bug bites.

4. Witch Hazel to Treat Bed Bug Bites:

The tannins in witch hazel help to give you relief from itching. It is a great choice due to its mild anesthetic effect. You can get this liquid astringent at any drug store.

How to Use:

• Dab the solution of witch hazel to the affected area.
• Leave it until it dries.
• Repeat the process twice or thrice a day to get relief.

5. Aloe Vera to Cure Bed Bug Bites:

The amino acids and active compounds in Aloe Vera reduce the itching and burning sensation that is caused by the bed bug bites. Aloe Vera gel speeds up the healing due to its moisturizing properties. It also has a high content of pectic acid, which makes it a good choice to treat bed bug bites.

How to Use:

• Peel an Aloe Vera leaf to extract its gel.
• Apply this gel on the bed bug bite.
• Leave it for about 15 to 20 minutes.
• Repeat the remedy to treat bed bug bites.

6. Oatmeal for Bed Bug Bites:

It is loaded with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties due to its high content of phenol. Oatmeal will help you to get rid of the inflammation, redness, rashes, irritation, swelling and itching that is caused by the bed bug bites.

How to Use:

• Prepare a paste of oatmeal by adding water.
• Apply this paste on the bed bug bites.
• Let it stay for a few minutes.
• Wash the area with cold water.
• Do this several times a day to cure bed bug bites.

7. Ice Pack to Treat Bed Bug Bites:

An ice pack is a good remedy as it will numb the nerves of the affected area and hence reduce the pain, inflammation, swelling, itching, and redness. This will also give you a soothing sensation. If you don’t have ice at that time then frozen vegetable packets can also help to treat bed bug bites.

How to Use:

• Wrap some ice cubes in a cloth.
• Dab the cloth on the bed bug bites.
• Repeat the process until you get relief.

8. Cucumber to Get Rid of Bed Bug Bites:

The caffeic acid and vitamin C present in cucumber help to reduce the inflammation that is caused by the bed bug bites. The cooling properties of cucumber will provide you instant relief from itching and swelling that is caused by the bed bug bites.

How to Use:

• Peel a fresh cucumber.
• Rub the slices of cucumber on the affected area.
• Do this for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Repeat the remedy until you get relief.

9. Toothpaste for Bed Bug Bites:

The menthol present in toothpaste is a cooling agent that will give you relief from swelling, redness and itching. This is one of the best remedies to get rid of bed bug bites. This is a handy remedy that is easily available at home.

How to Use:

• Apply a layer of white toothpaste on the affected area.
• Leave it until it dries.
• Clean the area with cold water.
• Do this several times a day to get relief.

10. Onion to Treat Bed Bug Bites:

The high content of sulfur in onion makes it a good choice to treat bed bug bites. It acts as a  therapeutic agent and gives instant relief from bed bug bites. This is a cheap and easy to do remedy.

How to Use:

• Cut an onion into thick slices.
• Rub it on the bed bug bites.
• Let it stay until the juice dries.
• Clean the area with normal water.
• Repeat the process to cure bed bug bites.

11. Green Tea Bags to Cure Bed Bug Bites:

Green tea bags can stimulate the healing process due to its tannin content. It also has mild astringent and anesthetic properties that will help to reduce itching and swelling. You can try this remedy to see the effective results.

How to Use:

• Take a moist green tea bag.
• Keep this bag in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
• Place the bag on the bed bug bites.
• Let it stay for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Keep doing this until you get relief.

12. Combo of Cinnamon and Honey:

The anti-inflammatory properties of cinnamon make it a good choice as it cures the rashes and reduces the inflammation and itching caused by bed bug bites. The moisturizing properties of honey help in healing process. It also contains antiseptic properties that prevent the bed bug bite from infection.

How to Use:

• Mix equal amounts of cinnamon and honey.
• Make a consistent paste.
• Apply this paste on the affected area.
• Leave it until it dries.
• Clean the area with normal water.
• Repeat the remedy on a regular basis to cure bed bug bites.

Tips to Prevent Bed Bug Bites:

• Vacuum your house properly. This will kill the bed bugs and their eggs.
• Wash the clothing in hot water to kill the adult bedbugs and their larvae.
• Don’t bring old furniture from the garage. By doing so you are welcoming the unwanted pest.
• When you come after traveling stash your luggage in the bathroom to kill the bed bugs.
• Use chamomile soap or Calendula lotion to prevent bed bug bites.
• Spray lavender or eucalyptus oil on the mattress to prevent bed bug bites.
• When you are having the marks of bed bug bites, then wash the area with hot water so that it dries out fast.