Bed bugs are one of the most common house bugs that can wreak havoc on your sleep and peace of mind. While bed bugs aren’t contagious and they don’t spread illnesses, their bites can still be itchy, painful, and annoying. If you wake up with a lot of tiny red bites on your body, there’s a good chance that you may have bed bugs. If this is the case, you might be asking the question, how long do bed bug bites last?
You can expect your bed bug bites to last around one week, but this timeframe could depend on how quickly your body tends to heal and if you have a negative reaction to the bites. This also might depend on if you keep getting new bites.
Do you still have unanswered questions? Keep reading. In this guide, I’ll explain more about bed bugs, including how to treat their bites and how to prevent them from infesting your home.
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How Long Do Bed Bug Bites Last?
Generally, bed bug bites can last a week or two. However, the answer varies on a case-to-case basis. The length of time needed for bed bug bites to fully heal depends on the person bitten. For some people who aren’t sensitive to insect bites, the itchiness of the bites will be gone in a few days. Likewise, some people aren’t allergic to bed bugs and never even realize they were bitten at all.
Watch the video below to learn more about the warning signs of bed bug bites.
In contrast, for people who are very sensitive to insect bites, bed bug bites can trigger allergic reactions. These lead to larger bite marks that may develop into blisters when scratched excessively, making the healing process considerably longer. Using anti-itch cream can help soothe the skin and significantly reduce the time needed for bed bug bites to heal.
What Do Bed Bug Bites Look Like?
Bed bug bites look very similar to mosquito bites or flea bites. They’re red circular bumps, each with a tiny dark spot at the center. However, bed bug bites appear in clusters and sometimes in zigzag patterns, making them easier to distinguish. Sometimes, they can even resemble hives.
For people who have more severe allergic reactions to bed bug bites, the marks appear bigger or more swollen and can be itchier.
​What Are The Symptoms of Bed Bug Bites?
Generally, symptoms from bed bug bites manifest within a few hours to a few days after being bitten. However, some people don’t experience any symptoms or skin reactions at all.
Symptoms of bed bug bites include itchy red bumps, welts, blisters, and clustered bite marks or rashes on various parts of the body. There could also be signs of their presence on your bed, such as blood stains and bed bug droppings.
Where Do Bed Bugs Live?
Bed bugs normally live in sofas or beds or in dark, warm places. That means you can find them on your sheets, linens, mattresses, headboards, pillows, bed frames, box springs, upholstered furniture, baseboards, walls, electrical outlets, and any other crevices that could serve as hiding places. There are lots of places for bed bugs to hide, which is why it’s best to hire an exterminator if you have an infestation.
If you are unsure about the rashes that appear on your body, it’s best to consult your ​dermatologist first tto ensure that bed bugs are the culprit. Before going in for a visit, wash the bite marks with soap and water to prevent infection.
How To Treat Bed Bug Bites
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, one of the best ways to treat bed bug bites at home is to wash your skin with soap and water. This may seem too simple to be true, but it can work wonders, especially when it comes to preventing skin infections. Still, bed bug bites are often extremely itchy, so to reduce itchiness, consider using an over-the-counter antihistamine pill. For topical application, use an anti-itch lotion or hydrocortisone cream instead.
For worst-case scenarios, such as an allergic reaction or secondary infection, I strongly advise seeking medical help from a dermatologist.
​How To Avoid Bed Bug Bites
The best way to avoid getting bitten by bed bugs is to make sure that these pests never invade your home. To guarantee this, clean your rugs and carpets frequently. When traveling, inspect your luggage before leaving the hotel room and before entering your house.
Try to avoid buying second-hand furniture, especially mattresses and sofas. Used furniture is one of the major causes of bed bug infestations spreading across households.
Do I Need an Exterminator?
If you have a bed bug infestation, usually, the best course of action is to hire an exterminator. You can try to get rid of bed bugs yourself by cleaning your sheets, washing pillows, and vacuuming your mattress and floor thoroughly. Be wary of remedies like baking soda or salt, which don’t work. Using extreme temperatures is a reliable way to get rid of bed bugs. Still, hiring an exterminator will give you the best results.
If you wait too long and try to fix your bed bug infestation yourself, many times, the problem will only get worse while you’re cleaning and vacuuming to no avail. However, if you act quickly with an exterminator, you can get the problem under control much faster with an insecticide.
In cases of severe bed bug infestations, it’s always best to seek immediate professional help from a seasoned bed bug exterminator.
Final Thoughts on Bed Bug Bites
Everyone reacts differently to bed bug bites. For some, their bite marks naturally wear off after a few days, while others suffer from allergic reactions and require more time to heal. However, if you don’t kill the bed bugs after you’re bitten, you’re bound to get more bites. That’s why it’s extremely important to exterminate your bed bugs at the first sign of a bite.
Generally, your bites should heal within a week or two. If they don’t, seek medical attention from a dermatologist. It’s important to avoid scratching bed bug bites, as this can prolong the healing process.
Still, the best way to fight a bed bug infestation is by preventing one from happening in the first place. To avoid getting bed bug bites in the future, keep an eye out for any bite marks and hire an exterminator at the first sign of trouble.
However, if you do have a bed bug infestation, don’t wait to do something about it. Use the form below to get price estimates from local pest control providers:
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do bed bugs live?
According to the Cleveland Health Clinic, bed bugs usually live for six months up to two years.
How soon do bed bug bites appear after being bitten?
According to Harvard Medical School, some bed bug bites can take up to 14 days to appear. Still, others appear in a few minutes. If you suspect you may have bed bugs, be on a constant lookout because bite marks can take a long time to show up.
Are bed bug bites dangerous?
In most cases, no. However, it’s still important to treat bites quickly and to exterminate your bed bugs so the infestation doesn’t get worse.
Do bed bug bites get worse over time?
Some people develop more extreme allergic reactions to bed bug bites after several exposures. This means that the more bites you have, the more of a chance you have for the reaction to be worse. Bites can also get worse after scratching so be sure to avoid doing so, no matter how tempting it may be, to have a quicker healing process.
