Bed bugs are nasty parasites that suck your blood and cause itchy, scratchy welts on your skin. They do their dirty work of sucking your blood usually at night, when you’re deep in sleep. These pesky little insects are brown in color, oval in shape, and are the size of apple pips. Plus, they move very fast. Not only do they feed on human beings, they suck on animal blood too. Once they’ve fed, their brown color turns red, due to the blood.
Since they’re active during the night, they generally bite exposed areas of your body like your face, neck, arms, and hands. They can get into your home through clothing, mattresses, couches, luggage, or even handbags. They have a flat body that helps them hide effectively in tiny nooks and crannies, with no one the wiser.
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While some people may not even notice that they have been bitten by bed bugs, others may develop itching, scratching, and even redness at the bite site. There are also cases where there’s an allergic reaction that causes painful swelling and burning, and in very rare cases, even an anaphylactic response.
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When dealing with a bed bug bite, the first thing you need to do is to wash the affected area with a mild soap, preferably an antiseptic one. This helps reduce the swelling and even prevent a skin infection. However, in that rare case if you do develop a skin infection, blisters, or an allergic skin reaction, contact a dermatologist immediately.
But, these bed bug bites can be gotten rid of by using natural remedies at home too. Let’s take a look at some easy home remedies for bed bug bites that are effective:
1. Alcohol
Alcohol is one of the most common disinfectants there is. And it’s effective against a bed bug bite too.
Remedy
- Apply some alcohol on the affected areas and put on a bandage around it. Leave it on for a while, before removing it. Repeat as needed, if symptoms persist.
2. Aloe vera
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Aloe vera is a succulent that is super effective and soothing on your skin, especially when you’re dealing with a bed bug bite. Its active compounds and amino acids help ease the itching and the burning at the bite site. Its excellent moisturizing properties help keep the skin hydrated and well moisturized.
Remedy
- Wipe clean a fresh aloe vera leaf and slice it open. Squeeze out the gel into a clean bowl and apply it on your bed bug bites. Leave it on without washing, because your skin absorbs the gel. Refrigerate the remaining gel and apply it as needed for a couple of days, until the bite site shows healing.
3. Apple cider vinegar
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Apple cider vinegar has acetic acid in it, which helps reduce itching and burning because of its anti-inflammatory properties. White vinegar can also be used if apple cider vinegar is not available.
Remedy
- Dip a cotton ball into a teaspoon of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar and dab it on the affected areas. Let it air dry, and leave it on for 5-10 minutes before rinsing it off. Reapply as needed, if the symptoms persist.
4. Baking soda
Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, and is effective in neutralizing the acidic chemicals in the bite site caused by the bed bug bite. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, that help reduce swelling and redness.
Remedy
- Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda to 3 teaspoons of water and mix well. Apply this paste liberally over the bite site and leave it on for about 10 minutes or so. Wash it off, and repeat the remedy if there is still discomfort, after about half an hour to forty five minutes.
5. Banana peel
Apparently, banana peel contains bioactive compounds like carotenoids, polyphenols, and the like, which are known for their therapeutic properties.
Remedy
- Take a banana peel and rub the inner side of it on the bite site. This helps alleviate the stinging feeling. Repeat this remedy as needed, at least twice or thrice.
6. Basil
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Basil is a boon when it comes to treating the symptoms of many skin diseases, and it’s effective on insect bites too.
Remedy
- Take a handful of fresh basil leaves and make a fine paste from them. Apply this paste on the affected areas to get relief from the irritation at the bite site.
7. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is known to possess anti-inflammatory properties, which help reduce the itching and swelling at the bed bug site. Combined with the goodness of honey, which is a natural moisturizer, this remedy helps reduce the chance of infection at the bite site.
Remedies
- Add half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder to 1 teaspoon of honey and mix well to form a paste. Apply this paste on the affected areas and let it dry, before rinsing it off with cool water. Repeat this remedy as needed, if the symptoms recur.
- Grind a teaspoon worth of cinnamon and mix it in with a teaspoon of water to form a paste. Apply this on the bite site and let it dry. Rinse it off after a while. This helps reduce any chances of infection.
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8. Cucumber
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Cucumber contains lots of water content, which helps soothe the bed bug bite area by providing relief from itching and inflammation.
Remedy
- Refrigerate a cucumber for about an hour and then slice it. Put the chilled slice or its peel on the affected area and let it be for about 10 minutes or so. Then remove it and rinse it with water. Repeat this remedy at least 4-5 times a day for effective results.
9. Ice pack
The cold temperature of an ice cube helps numb the nerve endings at the bite site, thereby providing relief from the itching and the inflammation.
Remedy
- Wrap a few ice cubes in a thin washcloth and place it on the affected area. Remove it after 10-15 minutes, repeating it as needed for a couple of days.
10. Lemon juice
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Lemon juice is a natural astringent, which helps dry out the rashes that might be caused by the bed bug bites. Also, its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties help reduce the itching, redness, and swelling,
Remedy
- Squeeze a fresh lemon into a clean bowl. Dip a cotton ball in the juice and dab it on the bite sites. Leave it on to dry on its own and rinse clean after a while. Use this remedy a few times a day.
Pro tip: Since lemon juice can make your skin susceptible to sunburn, it’s advisable to avoid going out in the sun for a few hours after using this remedy.
11. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is one of the most effective home remedies for bed bug bites because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Not only will it help reduce skin irritation, it also alleviates the itching caused by the bites.
Remedies
- To a few teaspoons of oatmeal, add some water to make a paste. Now apply this paste on the affected areas and let it dry out for 15 minutes. Rinse it off with cool water, and repeat this remedy as needed for a couple of days.
- Have an oatmeal bath by mixing half a cup of finely ground oatmeal in warm bath water and mixing well. Add a few drops of peppermint essential oil to it, to help soothe your irritated skin. Soak in this warm bath for 15 minutes or so. Repeat this remedy for a couple of days, if the symptoms persist.
12. Onion
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An onion is an excellent natural remedy for bed bug bites because it contains high amounts of sulfur in it, which is an important therapeutic agent.
Remedy
- Slice an onion in half and rub the affected areas gently with it. Let it dry for a while before rinsing it off with cool water.
13. Tea bags
Used tea bags can help reduce the itching and swelling caused by bed bug bites because of the tannins present in it. These tannins have astringent and mild anesthetic properties.
Remedy
- Place a used tea bag in the refrigerator for at least half an hour. Take it out and place it on the affected area for about 15 minutes, before rinsing it off with cool water. Repeat this remedy as needed, if the symptoms persist.
14. Toothpaste
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Toothpaste contains cooling menthol and fluoride, both of which help reduce the itching and burning sensations.
Remedy
- Dab a little toothpaste on the affected areas and let it dry for 10 minutes. Rinse it off with cool water. Use this remedy as needed; a few times over a couple of days should be fine.
Pro tip: Use only white toothpaste for this remedy, not the gel version.
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15. Witch hazel
Witch hazel is a natural liquid astringent that can calm itching caused by bed bug bites because of the presence of tannins in it. Tannins are known to possess mild antiseptic properties, which are perfect for an insect bite.
Remedy
- Dip a cotton ball in witch hazel and dab it on the affected areas. Let it air dry for about 10 minutes, before rinsing it off with cool water. Repeat this remedy as needed, if the symptoms persist.
So there you go – all the natural home remedies for bed bug bites that help alleviate the symptoms. If you ever find yourself the victim of a bed bug bite, try these superb natural remedies before going to the dermatologist.
Featured image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License
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