Bed Bug Bites - How To Get Relief

Did you have red, itchy bites on you body when you got out of bed this morning? Well, I'm sorry to say that there is every possibility that you have bed bugs if you do the welts or bumps on your body are bed bug bites!

Bed bugs belong to a family of bugs called the Cimicidaes - these are blood sucking pests which will prey on mammals and birds alike. All of the bugs found in this group are a similar reddish brown color, with the females being larger than the males. The females will lay their eggs in any cracks and crevices around walls and floors of private homes, hospitals, care homes - basically any environment that they have managed to invade. The eggs will hatch usually within four to five days and so the never ending cycle of a bed bug infestation begins.

The number of individuals suffering bed bug bites has increased dramatically all over the world and is still going up. The problem has most definitely occurred because the bed bugs have over time built up resistance to the chemical insecticides traditionally used to eradicate them. One of the better known insecticides of which this is true is Pyrethroid - it has been found that most of the bed bug population in the USA are now resistant to it.

Bed bug bites are not always easily diagnosed and at times can be mistaken for other skin conditions or bites from other insects. As a rule however, those who suffer an allergic reaction to the anaesthetic found in bed bug bites will discover risen red bumps or flat welts on exposed areas of skin which are usually very itchy and can cause great discomfort. On the other hand there are many people - thought to be around half of all people - who will have no visible bed bug bites what so ever - in cases like this it is very difficult to identify and eradicate the infestation effectively.

Reactions to bed bug bites do vary from person to person and factors such as the species of bug, the environment and skin type play a large part. There are rare occasions when the allergic reaction can cause illness. The most common effect that an infestation of bed bugs and the bed bug bites has is one of anxiety and stress as well as many sleepless nights. Of course the insomnia is not just caused by the itching but also by the fear of being bitten again because of coarse bed bugs are nocturnal. They are attracted to their food supply by the body heat, carbon dioxide from air breathed out and sweat from sleeping victims.

There are a number of ways to ease the symptoms of bed bug bites:

1. Topical corticosteroids - Hydrocortisone is probably the best known of these. These will relieve the itching and help heal the welts or bumps a little.

2. Systemic Corticosteroids - These will help with the burning and itching caused by the bed bug bites but will do nothing to calm the appearance of the rash.

3. Antihistamines - taking oral antihistamines will give relief from the itching but not much else.

4. One remedy which appears to be successful without involving any medicinal treatments is the use of heat. The application of hot flannels to the areas affected by the bed bug bites or blowing hot air onto it using a blow dryer eases symptoms. The use of hot water is also very effective however, a word of caution - to be affective the water has to be at a temperature of around 50 degrees Celsius so to avoid scalds great care must be taken.

Treatments for bed bug bites are all very well but the only really effective treatment is to eradicate the bed bugs from your home. The easiest way to do this is using a vacuum cleaner, a steam cleaner and a non toxic bed bug spray.