Bed bug bites are infamous for being one of the itchier bug bites. It’s important to not scratch at bed bug bites to avoid infection.

The side effects of a bed bug bite include:

• Itchiness
• Redness
• Swelling
• Tenderness

Bed Bug Bite Symptoms

When you are bitten by a bed bug, you likely will not feel it. This is because the bugs inject an anesthetic and an anticoagulant that prevents a person from realizing they are being bitten. Bites usually show up one to three days later but may never show up at all. When they do, the bite will appear slightly swollen and red, and will itch or irritate the skin. Common side effects of bed bug bites include insomnia, skin problems, and general anxiety from the knowledge of having bed bugs!

When do Bed Bug Bites Go Away?

Once they show up, bed bug bites can last for one to two weeks if they heal properly. People with stronger reactions to insect bites in general may notice bites take three weeks or longer to heal. For a proper healing process, it’s extremely important to never scratch at the bites. This can worsen the bites. In very rare cases, bites can cause allergic reactions. This needs to be brought to the attention of a medical professional immediately.

Scratching Bed Bug Bites

Similarly to most insect bites, it’s very important to resist the urge to scratch. Scratching a bed bug bite can delay the healing process, re-open more serious wounds, and make the bites even worse! In serious cases, bed bug bites can become infected. If this were to happen, the symptoms would get bad, quickly. In any case, it’s always best to get medical attention from a professional in the case of serious symptoms.