BedBug Bite

" Bedbug bite is not exactly a true phrase. Bed bugs have a protrusion from their head which punctures the host's skin which then suck the blood meal from the host. Feeding takes approximately 10 minutes. Not everyone has a reaction to bed bug bites. the most common reaction is an allergic reaction which most often takes the form of a red skin bump. In rare cases, a more extreme reaction can result in skin blisters or some type of allergic respiratory reaction. Bedbugs do not spread disease with most bites resolving themselves in a few days."

Bed bugs do not actually bit their victims. The insects have a projection from the head that punctures the skin. As the bed bug moves through its 6 life cycles, it seeks a blood meal during each. it cannot move from nymph (just born) to adult unless it receives a blood meal.

Bed bugs feed for approximately 10 minutes on the human host. Bites usually avoid light, so bites occur at night, when the bedbug moves from its hiding place onto a host. Bites usually appear on exposed skin areas including the legs, arms and neck. It is rare to find bite marks on the bottoms of the feet.

Bed bugs bite into skin capillaries. Several bites in a row or in a cluster indicates the presence of several bed bugs, or one bed bug that might of moved during feeding. The typical bite reaction is a round red raised area or papule with a clear center.

Types of Bed Bug Bite Reactions:

Cutaneous: Most reactions are cutaneous (skin surface) reactions. Most people will get no reaction at all. The only evidence of a bite would be a small hole or punctum where the bed bug sucked out any blood. Most bites that are brought to a Doctor are 2mm to 5mm in width bite marks which are called pruritic macolopapular or erythematous lesions. The size of bites might increase or decrease with each bite episode as some people might become more hypersensitive, although this is not always the case. One is located at each fedding site, which each one caused by one bedbug. Bites will go away/resolve themselves in approximately 1 week.

Systemic Reactions. In rare cases, a bed bug bite can trigger an asthmatic reaction, urticaria (hives), angioedema (like hives, but under the skin), anaphylaxis (whole body allergic reaction that can result in death) and hypotension (low blood pressure).

bedbug bite picture
Picture of Bed Bugs Bites On Arm

bedbug bite picture
Bed Bug Bite Picture on Leg

Bed Bug Bite Photo: Blisters from Allergic Skin Reaction

Picture BedBug Bite Skin Reaction

bedbug bite picture

Bed Bug Bite Wheal Reaction

Treatment For BedBug Bite

No treatment is usually required for a bedbugs bite, and if it does occur, it is usually focused on relieving symptoms such as itch. An itch cream such as All Stop could help, which is made specifically to help with bedbug bite itch using ingredients such as paroxime or doxepin. A Doctor may prescribe or recommend a steroid based topical.

If a bedbug bite area becomes infected then antibiotics may be called for or an antibiotic ointment. If a systemic reaction occurs such as anaphylactic shock, then emergency treatment is needed including drugs such as epinephrine or antihistamines and steroidal medications.