Bed bug bites have their maximum presence felt at the time of traveling when a motel stay is on the agenda. These bites can prove to be quite irritating. But they’re not all that worrisome, when compared to mosquitoes, which are vectors of malaria and the “West Nile Disease”. The bed bug bites can be treated simply by washing it with soap and water, applying a certain quantity of ice, and using a no-itch or an antihistamine cream.

If the bite starts getting tender and oozing white, greenish or white pus, then it may be infected. In such instance, it’s advisable to consult a doctor. Most people have the misconception that bed bugs prefer to infest dwellings that are devoid of cleanliness. This is not quite true. Like humans, bed bugs need food to survive. Unfortunately, blood is their staple diet. This is the reason bed bugs are found mostly in hotels, as such places are constantly occupied by people.

Bed bugs are believed to have a smell like that of rotten, sweet raspberries. It has also been believed that a bug-ridden room has a smell like that of almonds, but there need to be a large amount of bed bugs to have a smell of that sort. It is the female bed bug that normally bites. She’s capable of laying around 500 eggs throughout her lifetime!

It has been proven now that bed bugs are very good travelers. So, it’s possible to carry them along through a sleeping bag or a suitcase, which would prove your attitude towards cleanliness. Bed bugs can be killed by putting them in hot water. Bed bugs have the caliber of living for around one year without eating. Hence, regular cleansing is recommended. Exterminator can be engaged to perform this job.

The one thing most people are usually concerned about when they find out they’ve got bed bugs is: How do they stop the itching and are the bites dangerous?

First of all, it’s important to note that not everybody reacts to the bites in the same way. A lot of people don’t feel or notice them at all. You’re usually bitten when you’re asleep and the bed bug will inject a chemical (known as an “anticoagulant”) into the bite that stops the blood from clotting and keeps you from feeling it.

Unfortunately, many people are allergic to this chemical. So if you’re itching or seeing a reaction on your skin, then you’re one of them. Most people’s allergies are mild in the sense that they aren’t dangerous. It’s just highly annoying and your skin will itch like crazy. But it’s extremely rare for anyone to have a serious health problem due to a bed bug bite. Although there have been a few cases where people have gone into shock. So if you see something that seems like it’s a more serious symptom than itching, then you need to see a doctor as soon as possible.

In the meantime, you should focus on trying to keep from getting bitten and using products that will alleviate the constant itching. One product that will help out is Corticool® (1% hydrocortisone gel), which is a cream that relieves itching from insect bites and which you can buy over the counter.

Some recommend taking Benadryl or using Calamine lotion to help with the itching. Of course, that won’t stop you from being bitten again. Some people have gone to extreme lengths such as sleeping on the kitchen table (that would probably help reduce the number of bites, but they can still find you).

Another concern of people who’ve been bitten by bed bugs is: when are these bites going to go away?

Well, it could take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. It all depends on how allergic you are to them. Some people are really allergic and will have them for a lot longer. Most of the time, the itching will stop first and the bite mark will gradually disappear.