First Aid Bites & Stings Print An Overview of Bedbugs Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Casey Gallagher, MD on July 08, 2019 Casey Gallagher, MD is board-certified in dermatology and works as a practicing dermatologist and clinical professor. Learn about our Medical Review Board Casey Gallagher, MD Written by facebook Written by Vincent Iannelli, MD Vincent Iannelli, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician and fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Iannelli has cared for children for more than 20 years. Learn about our editorial policy Vincent Iannelli, MD Updated on August 23, 2019 Bedbug Bites Overview Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment In This Article Table of Contents Expand Symptoms Causes and Risk Factors Diagnosis Treatment View All Bedbugs have resurged worldwide and these blood-sucking insects (both the Cimex lectularius and Cimex hemipterus) are a problem in many homes and hotels. Fortunately, bedbugs aren't known to spread contagious diseases. However, it is difficult to eradicate an infestation and you will want to take steps to prevent bringing bedbugs home. Learn how to identify and treat these pests. Verywell / Emily Roberts Symptoms Bedbug bites often appear as small, itchy, raised red areas on exposed skin, usually a few days after the actual bite. However, some children and adults don't develop a reaction to the bites at all, even after repeated exposure. The bites appear much as other insect bites and can be seen in these patterns: A rashA line of bitesA cluster of bites You can develop a skin infection if you scratch the bites. Rarely, a more severe allergic reaction to the bites could produce larger welts, blisters, or anaphylaxis. Bedbugs may also trigger asthma attacks and getting too many repeated bites could lead to anemia. Anxiety, insomnia, and sleep disturbances are common due to the stress of discovering bedbugs. Causes and Risk Factors Bedbugs are tiny flightless insects that feed only on blood. They prefer humans but can feed on pets and farm animals. They feed at night and hide from light, especially in seams and crevices around the bed. There is no direct link between poor sanitation and bedbug infestations. A pristinely clean living space is as vulnerable as a messy one. Usually, sleeping in a place where multiple people have slept increases your risk. You might especially suspect bedbugs if you or your child: Traveled recentlySlept on a used mattress or sat on a used piece of furnitureLives in an apartment building where bedbugs could have infested another apartment and have moved into yoursLives in or recently spent time in a college dorm roomAre getting new unexplained bites each nightActually see bedbugs hiding in the seams or crevices of a mattress or box spring, along the edge of carpeting, behind picture frames, and hiding inside recesses of furniture Diagnosis A diagnosis of bedbugs is made by the appearance of the bites and finding bedbugs in your home environment. The bites are often not distinguishable from other insect bites. A doctor will consider conditions including scabies, allergic rashes, staph infection, eczema, antibiotic reactions, and chickenpox. You can identify a bedbug infestation by checking bedding, mattress seams, furniture, and wall fixtures for the bugs or their traces. Each bedbug is about the size of an apple seed, about 1/4 inch long. You will often see their droppings instead, which are tiny brown or red specks. You may also see small blood stains on sheets or mattresses when a bedbug has been crushed after feeding. Eggs about the same size as the adults might be seen in seams or cracks and you will also see their molted exoskeletons. How to Diagnose Bedbugs Treatment Treating bedbugs includes caring for the bites and eliminating the infestation. The bites will heal naturally and nothing will speed that up. You can use over-the-counter products to relieve the itching but you may need a prescription if you develop a skin infection from scratching. Common treatments include: Topical anti-itch and anti-inflammatory medications such as calamine lotion, Cortaid (cortisone) cream, and diphenhydramine creamOral antihistamines, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine hydrochloride) or Atarax (hydroxyzine), a prescription strength antihistamineTopical antiseptic or antibiotic lotion for bacterial infection or oral antibiotics Although treating bedbug bites isn't difficult, actually getting rid of the bedbugs is another story. A professional exterminator can help. You will need to discard infested mattresses, box springs, and pillows. You can heat treat or cold treat items such as clothing by laundering or freezing. However, the room itself will need to be treated to eliminate bedbugs that can live in cracks in walls, floors, and furniture. In order to minimize your risk, you can: Buy new furniture instead of used furnitureSeal the cracks and crevices in sleeping areasPut your mattresses inside a bug-proof cover How to Get Rid of Bedbugs and Their Bites A Word From Verywell It is stressful and frustrating to deal with bedbugs, however, you are far from alone in managing this problem. Keep in mind that it is no reflection on how much care you take in cleaning your home or taking precautions when traveling. Be sure to care for yourself due to the stress that can result so you don't lose too much sleep. Signs and Symptoms of Bedbug Bites Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial policy to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Doggett SL, Dwyer DE, Peñas PF, Russell RC. Bed Bugs: Clinical Relevance and Control Options. Clinical Microbiology Reviews. 2012;25(1):164-192. doi:10.1128/CMR.05015-11 Goddard J, deShazo R. Bed Bugs (Cimex lectularius) and Clinical Consequences of Their Bites. JAMA. 2009;301(13):1358-1366. doi:10.1001/jama.2009.405 Studdiford JS, Conniff KM, Trayes KP, Tully AS. Bedbug Infestation. American Family Physician. 2012 Oct 1;86(7):653-658. Additional Reading Kells SA, Hahn J. Prevention and Control of Bed Bugs in Homes. University of Minnesota Extension. https://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/insects/find/bed-bugs-in-residences/. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Do-It-Yourself Bed Bug Control. https://www.epa.gov/bedbugs/do-it-yourself-bed-bug-control. Continue Reading