How to Handle Bed Bug Bite Rashes and Bumps

Updated: May 9, 2022

At the end of a long day, nothing feels better than climbing into bed for a good night’s rest. Unfortunately, your sleep may be disturbed if you have seen evidence that bed bugs are sharing your bed. Bed bugs hide during the day and feed at night when their victim is sleeping and vulnerable. Their diet? Your blood.

Discover the signs of a bed bug bites, which can cause rashes if scratched repeatedly, and what to do if you’ve been bitten. Learn how you can avoid the painful, potentially dangerous effects. Plus, learn about the most effective way to eliminate bed bugs altogether.

Bed bug rashes?

Wake up with an itch that won’t go away? Bed bug bites may be to blame. Although bed bugs themselves do not normally cause a rash, their individual bites can itch so much that excessive scratching may cause a rash on the victim. Since bed bugs cozy up where people lounge and sleep, bed bugs can make the sweetest slumber a real-life nightmare. So how do these bloodsuckers get away with it? By injecting a natural anesthetic, they are able to go unnoticed as they suck blood from their sleeping victims. Everyone responds differently to their bites, but here’s a list of common reactions to help determine whether you’ve fallen prey to these unwanted bedmates.

How to identify bed bug bites

Because bed bug bites and possible rashes caused by scratching can mimic other insect bites, allergies or certain skin conditions, it can be difficult to identify whether bed bugs are to blame. Read on to learn about additional signs.

Marks on exposed skin

Inspect your arms, hands, neck and face. If you see any red bumps, bites or rashes on your skin, they may be from scratching bed bug bites. That said, bed bug bites are often confused with the bites of other pests. Most often, this includes mosquitoes and fleas. What’s the difference? Flea bites often occur around the ankles, whereas bed bug bites can occur anywhere that skin is exposed at night. Mosquito bites are generally larger but can also be found on any skin that is exposed when you are dressed for the day.

Painless bites, often painful effects

Unlike bee stings and other bug bites, when bed bugs bite, it’s unlikely that you’ll notice. This is because they bite when your body is still (often when you’re sleeping). Not to mention, the saliva they inject upon biting numbs the skin, making the bite itself painless and unnoticeable. It’s sort of like a local anesthetic.

That said, it is also the saliva that causes some people to suffer future reactions. The effects of a bite can vary from person to person. Sometimes an allergic reaction to bed bug saliva produces red, itchy welts. Other people may experience no symptoms at all.

Two for one: bites and rashes

Bed bug bites can sometimes be small, raised bumps that are red and slightly itchy. For people who are particularly sensitive to bed bug bites, small, raised bumps may develop into a red bed bug “rash” surrounding the bites. An individual’s reaction — sometimes an allergic reaction to scratching the bite area — determines the appearance of the affected area and the severity of the reaction.

Itchy

If you have an allergic reaction to bed bug bites, one of the most common symptoms you’ll suffer from is itching. Unfortunately, the itchiness caused by bed bug bites can last for up to a week or two. Although it’s difficult to do, refrain from scratching bites, as it only makes matters worse. Intense scratching can lead to bleeding, infection and swelling. Over-the-counter anti-itch creams may help, but for severe bites and rashes, it’s best to talk to your doctor about a treatment.

Increase in nightly bites

People often mistake bed bug bites for rashes or other insect bites. Oftentimes, fleas are blamed for the bites, especially if pets are present in the home or if the person has spent a lot of time outdoors. If you suspect you may have bed bug bites, monitor whether nightly bites increase over time.

Bed bug bites vs. heat rash

It’s easy to confuse a bed bug bite with rashes with hives or heat rash, especially in the summer months when it’s warm. That’s because both types of rashes cause red, itchy bumps to form on exposed skin. However, heat rash is characterized by red welts and tiny blisters. Bed bug bites lack these blisters. Additionally, hives tend to move around the body whereas bed bug bite rashes typically stay in one spot, where the bites occurred. Whatever type of rash you have, consult your doctor for the most accurate medical opinion.

Bed bug bite patterns

Identifying bed bug bites is much easier if you know what to look for. The biggest thing to remember is that bed bugs may feast on human blood in a “breakfast, lunch and dinner” pattern, sometimes identifiable as three bites in close proximity. Look for raised bumps in a line or clustered row, particularly in groups of three or more. Since bed bugs feed on exposed skin while their host is dormant, the pests typically crawl along and bite in quick succession.

Allergic reactions to bed bugs

Not everyone is affected by bed bug bites. In fact, some people have no visible signs and no reaction at all. Others have serious allergic reactions. So how do you know if you will have an allergic reaction to bed bug bites? Unfortunately, there may be no way to know for sure until you’ve been bitten. Reactions may include pain, itching and discomfort at the site of the bite. It’s important that you do not scratch the bumps, as it may lead to a bed bug bite rash. If you’ve been bitten and are concerned about any possible side effects, consult a health care professional immediately.

Contact Terminix

^® to help get rid of bed bugs

Want bed bug bites to stop? You’ve got to kill the culprit, and destroy their eggs to stem the infestation. You’ve heard the saying “Goodnight, sleep tight and don’t let the bed bugs bite.” This year, fight back when you schedule an appointment with Terminix. Our trained technicians can help rid your home of bed bug infestations.

Mosquito Bites in Children | Children’s Hospital Colorado

• Bites from a mosquito
• Cause itchy, red bumps
• Often they look like a hive
• West Nile Virus (WNV) questions are also covered

Types of Reactions to Mosquito Bites

• Red Bumps. In North America, mosquito bites are mainly an annoyance. They cause itchy red skin bumps. Often, the bite looks like hives (either one large one or several small ones).
• When a mosquito bites, its secretions are injected into the skin. The red bumps are the body’s reaction to this process.
• Suspect mosquito bites if there are bites on other parts of the body. Most bites occur on exposed parts such as face and arms.
• Swelling. Bites of the upper face can cause severe swelling around the eye. This can last for several days. With bites, the swelling can be pink as well as large (especially age 1-5 years).
• Disease. Rarely, the mosquito can carry a serious blood-borne disease. In the US and Canada, this is mainly West Nile Virus (WNV). In Africa and South America, they also carry malaria and yellow fever.
• Prevention. Insect repellents can prevent mosquito bites. Use DEET (applied to skin) and permethrin (applied to clothing).

Cause of Mosquito Bite Reaction

• The skin bumps are the body’s reaction to the mosquito’s saliva.
• While it’s sucking blood, some of its secretions get mixed in.

Mosquito Life Cycle

• Only female mosquitoes bite. They need a blood meal to produce eggs. The female may bite 20 times before she finds a small blood vessel. She then sips blood for 90 seconds.
• Males eat flower nectar and plant juices.
• 170 species of mosquito are in North America.
• At a far distance, they are attracted by smell (breath odors, sweat and perfumes). They can smell up to 120 feet (36 meters). At a close distance, they are attracted by body heat and movement.

Risk Factors for Increased Mosquito Bites

• Warmer body temperature
• Male more than female
• Children more than adults
• Breath odors
• Sweating
• Perfumed soaps and shampoos

Complications of Insect Bites

• Impetigo. A local bacterial infection. Gives sores, soft scabs and pus. Caused by scratching or picking at the bites. More common in itchy bites.
• Cellulitis. The bacterial infection spreads into the skin. Gives redness spreading out from the bite. The red area is painful to the touch.
• Lymphangitis. The bacterial infection spreads up the lymph channels. Gives a red line that goes up the arm or leg. More serious because the infection can get into the bloodstream. (This is called sepsis.)

Call 911 Now

• Life-threatening allergic reaction suspected. Symptoms include sudden onset of trouble breathing or swallowing.
• Can’t wake up
• You think your child has a life-threatening emergency

Go to ER Now

• Hard to wake up
• Acts or talks confused
• Can’t walk or can barely walk
• Stiff neck (can’t touch chin to the chest)

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

• Spreading red area or streak with fever
• Your child looks or acts very sick
• You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

• Painful spreading redness started more than 24 hours after the bite. Note: any redness starting in the first 24 hours is a reaction to the bite.
• More than 48 hours since the bite and redness gets larger
• Unexplained fever and recent travel outside the country to high risk area
• You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

• Pregnant and recently traveled to or lives in a place with a Zika outbreak
• Scab that looks infected (drains pus or gets bigger) not better with antibiotic ointment
• Severe itching not better after 24 hours of using steroid cream
• You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

• Normal mosquito bite
• Questions about West Nile Virus
• Questions about insect repellents (such as DEET)

Care Advice

Treatment for Mosquito Bites

1. What You Should Know About Mosquito Bites:
   • In the United States and Canada, mosquito bites rarely carry any disease.
   • They cause itchy red skin bumps.
   • Most of the time, the bumps are less than ½ inch (12 mm) in size. In young children, they can be larger.
   • Some even have a small water blister in the center.
   • A large hive at the bite does not mean your child has an allergy.
   • The redness does not mean the bite is infected.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. Steroid Cream for Itching:
   • To reduce the itching, use 1% hydrocortisone cream (such as Cortaid). No prescription is needed. Put it on 3 times a day until the itch is gone. If you don’t have, use a baking soda paste until you can get some.
   • If neither is available, use ice in a wet washcloth for 20 minutes.
   • Also, you can put firm, sharp, direct, steady pressure on the bite. Do this for 10 seconds to reduce the itch. A fingernail, pen cap, or other object can be used.
3. Allergy Medicine for Itching:
   • If itching becomes severe, give a dose of Benadryl.
   • No prescription is needed. Age limit: 1 and older.
4. Try Not to Scratch:
   • Cut the fingernails short.
   • Help your child not to scratch.
   • Reason: Prevent a skin infection at the bite site.
5. Antibiotic Ointment:
   • If the bite has a scab and looks infected, use an antibiotic ointment. An example is Polysporin.
   • No prescription is needed. Use 3 times per day. (Note: Usually infection caused by scratching bites with dirty fingers).
   • Cover the scab with a bandage (such as Band-Aid). This will help prevent scratching and spread.
   • Wash the sore and use the antibiotic ointment 3 times per day. Do this until healed.
6. What to Expect:
   • Most mosquito bites itch for 3 or 4 days.
   • Any pinkness or redness lasts 3 or 4 days.
   • The swelling may last 7 days.
   • Bites of the upper face can cause severe swelling around the eye. This does not hurt the vision and is harmless.
   • The swelling is often worse in the morning after lying down all night. It will improve after standing for a few hours.
7. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Bite looks infected (redness gets larger after 48 hours)
   • Bite becomes painful
   • You think your child needs to be seen
   • Your child becomes worse

West Nile Virus Questions

1. West Nile Virus (WNV) – What You Should Know:
   • WNV is a disease carried by mosquitoes. It can be spread to humans through a mosquito bite.
   • About 1% of mosquitoes carry WNV.
   • Of people who get WNV, less than 1% get the serious kind.
   • Here are some facts that should help.
2. Symptoms of WNV:
   • No symptoms: 80% of WNV infections.
   • Mild symptoms: 20% of infections. Symptoms include fever, headache, and body aches. Some have a skin rash. These symptoms last 3-6 days. They go away without any treatment. This is called WNV fever.
   • Serious symptoms: less than 1% (1 out of 150) of WNV infections. Symptoms are high fever, stiff neck, confusion, coma, seizures, and muscle weakness. The muscle weakness is often just on one side. The cause is infection of the brain (encephalitis) or spinal cord (viral meningitis).
   • Death: 10% of those who need to be in the hospital.
   • Child cases are most often mild. Most serious cases occur in people over age 60.
3. Diagnosis of WNV:
   • Mild symptom cases do not need to see a doctor. They do not need any special tests.
   • Severe symptom cases (with encephalitis or viral meningitis) need to see a doctor right away. Special tests on the blood and spinal fluid will be done to confirm WNV.
   • Pregnant or nursing women need to see a doctor if they have WNV symptoms.
4. Treatment of WNV:
   • No special treatment is needed after a mosquito bite.
   • There is no special treatment or anti-viral drug for WNV symptoms.
   • People with serious symptoms often need to be in the hospital. They will be given IV fluids and airway support.
   • There is not yet a vaccine to prevent WNV in humans.
5. WNV – Spread by Mosquitoes:
   • WNV is spread by the bite of a mosquito. The mosquito gets the virus from biting infected birds.
   • Even in an area where WNV occurs, less than 1% of mosquitoes carry the virus.
   • Spread is mosquito-to-human.
   • Person-to-person spread does not occur. Kissing, touching, or sharing a glass with a person who has WNV is safe.
   • Mothers with mosquito bites can breastfeed (CDC 2003), unless they get symptoms of WNV.
   • It takes 3-14 days after the mosquito bite to get WNV.
   • In United States and Canada, the peak summers for WNV were 2002, 2003 and 2012.

Insect Repellent Questions

1. Prevention Tips:
   • Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and a hat.
   • Avoid being outside when the bugs are most active. Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk. Limit your child’s outdoor play during these times.
   • Get rid of any standing water. (Reason: It’s where they lay their eggs.)
   • Keep bugs out of your home by fixing any broken screens.
   • Insect repellents containing DEET are very good at preventing mosquito bites. Read the label carefully.
2. DEET Products – Use on the Skin:
   • DEET is a good mosquito repellent. It also repels ticks and other bugs.
   • US Age limit: if less than 2 months old, avoid all DEET products (AAP).
   • US: for children 2 months to 2 years old, use 10% DEET. After 2 years old, can use 30% DEET.
   • Protection: 10% DEET protects for 2 hours. 30% DEET protects for 6 hours.
   • Don’t put DEET on the hands if your child sucks their thumb or fingers. (Reason: Prevent swallowing DEET)
   • Warn older children who apply their own DEET to use less. A total of 3 or 4 drops can protect the whole body.
   • Put on exposed areas of skin. Do not use near eyes or mouth. Don’t use on skin that is covered by clothing. Don’t put DEET on sunburns or rashes. (Reason: DEET can be easily absorbed in these areas.)
   • Wash it off with soap and water when your child comes indoors.
   • Caution: DEET can damage clothing made of man-made fibers. It can also damage plastics (eye glasses) and leather. DEET can be used on cotton clothing.
3. Permethrin Product – Use on Clothing:
   • Products that contain permethrin (such as Duranon) work well to repel mosquitos and ticks.
   • Unlike DEET, these products are put on clothing instead of on the skin.
   • Put it on shirt cuffs, pant cuffs, shoes and hats. Can also put it on mosquito nets and sleeping bags.
   • Do not put permethrin on the skin. (Reason: Sweat changes it so it does not work).
4. Picaridin Products:
   • Picaridin is a repellent that is equal to 10% DEET.
   • It can safely be put on skin or clothing.

Care Advice

The photo shows a female mosquito feeding on a person.

Copyright 2000-2023. Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.

horrible bumps from mosquito bites

05/26/2015 09:44

What to smear to remove an apparently allergic reaction, the baby has bumps and inflamed red cakes at the site of the bite

Anonymous

05/26/2015 10:10

antihistamine (Fenistil and others like them)

Anonymous

26.05.2015 12:00

My daughter has this problem. They wrote you correctly: 1. Try to avoid bites as much as possible – smear the child, clothes, while the child is small – I glued mosquito patches on clothes, put on a bracelet on a pen or leg. 2. Antihistamine ointments did not help – fenistil, gistan, etc. Well relieve itching and swelling. Glucocosteroid ointments – Advantan, Afloderm. You can’t use them a lot, but they help pointwise and one-time. 3. The main thing is not to comb this bite! If there are several bites, they are disturbing, then you can take an antihistamine inside – tablets, drops that suit you 4. If, nevertheless, the bite is combed or the swelling is large, then compresses with magnesia help to relieve the swelling. Magnesia in ampoules – pour onto a gauze napkin or cotton wool and apply with a compress for a few minutes, as it dries up, repeat … So several times.

Nik@Nik@ **K**

05/27/2015 23:37

+1 for Advantan, also rarely used, when there were very large non-passing “splashes” or a “black eye” under the eye huge from a bite. Removes very quickly. Then they also found that a piece of ice helps to relieve swelling a little.

Maman

05/26/2015 12:21

Psilo-balm helps us very well, but Finistil does not help. Psilo-balm even took off a bite from a wasp in 15 minutes, only a dot remained, but I immediately smeared it.

***ellel*** V.I.P.

26.05.2015 23:29

Psilo-balm. Fenistil does not help us.

blackkat V.I.P.

05/26/2015 10:23

It happened when the child was a year old. The mosquitoes bit so that the l / s increased, the bumps were at the bite sites and went away for a long time. Lubricated them with soda (wet your finger, dip in soda, anoint the bump). An old folk way that helped relieve itching. Fenistil-gel did not help at all.

Anonymous

05/27/2015 12:32

+1 for soda

Tamara V. I.P.

05/26/2015 11:26

My children and I have such a reaction to mosquito bites. It is better to avoid bites, dress a child, use creams (available for babies), process rooms, when I read that vanilla repels mosquitoes very well. Dilute in water and spray the premises. There are special lamps, mosquitoes fly on them and burn out. No antihistamine ointments help me or the children, but taking antihistamines reduces the manifestations. Immediately after the bite, it is advisable to lubricate the bite site with a soda solution, iodine also helps well, my iodine pencils are not translated for this reason. It is important to prevent swelling and the formation of bumps, that is, it is necessary to examine the child and lubricate the bites immediately.

Anonymous

05/26/2015 12:29

Malavit-gel, calendula alcohol solution

Ear@flock mouse **

Open in the forum

what to do and how to treat?

Heading: SkinAuthor: Anne Frank

Each organism reacts differently to mosquito bites. Sometimes the bite sites cause minimal inconvenience, they itch a little, and over time this discomfort disappears, but sometimes the body reacts with a pronounced allergic reaction and swelling. Why does a child get bumps from mosquito bites and what to do in this unpleasant situation?

Contents

• 1. Why do bumps appear after a mosquito bite?
• 2. How to treat?
  • 2.1. Medications
  • 2.2. Popular folk recipes
• 3. What complications can a child have after a mosquito bite?
• 4. How can you protect yourself?
• 5. Video on the topic of the article
• 6. Comments of visitors on the topic of the article

Why do bumps appear after a mosquito bite?

If a child has redness and bumps after a mosquito bite, this means that this is how his body reacts to foreign substances. Where are they from? First, the mosquito injects saliva under the skin of its victim, which has an analgesic effect and prevents blood clotting. It is her children’s body that perceives it as an allergen.

The reaction to a mosquito bite lasts on average about a day, after which the symptoms disappear. Sometimes the bite site swells strongly – the body cannot cope with the allergen on its own. In critical cases, even the help of medical specialists is needed.

Small children require special attention, their immunity is not yet fully developed, and their metabolism is quite fast. It is difficult for the body to cope with the allergen, bite sites turn into serious edema, especially in areas of delicate skin (neck, face, eyelid). In a child, a painful bump from a mosquito bite can even appear on the forehead.

How to treat?

Pharmacies have enough products to quickly deal with the effects of bites and minimize discomfort. When choosing medicines, you should carefully read the instructions, because not all drugs are equally suitable for both adults and babies.

If the bite is very reddened, an allergic reaction develops in the body at this moment. In this case, it is recommended to take antihistamines (tablets, suspensions, creams). Their task is to block the production of histamine, which is produced in large quantities and released into the blood.

Medications

The following are known as drugs to eliminate the effects of bites:

• Fenistil is a popular antihistamine medication. The effect is noticeable quickly. The cream is great for treating children. It is consumed slowly, so one tube is enough for a long time.
• Asterisk – contains only natural ingredients that soften the skin, cool and relieve pain, providing effective relief from mosquito bites. It does not cause allergic reactions, but the speed of the drug is inferior to Fenistil. To achieve a good result, it is worth smearing bites 3-5 times a day.
• Advantan – the agent has a strong regenerating effect on the skin. This medicine can be used to treat babies from 4 months.
• Nezulin has a strong antihistamine effect and will quickly help when the child already has bumps after a mosquito bite. The effect is observed after half an hour.

Popular folk recipes

Along with drugs, folk remedies are also used: baking soda, alcohol, room aloe, toothpaste. Most popular recipes:

• Soda with warm water. Mix 0.5 l of water and 1 tbsp. soda and the resulting solution to treat the bites. You need to wait a couple of minutes, then rinse the solution with warm water.
• Relaxing bath. It is necessary to draw hot water into the bath, add strong tea leaves, 2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar and 2 cups dry oatmeal. It has a drying and antiseptic effect on the skin.
• Vinegar paste. Mix apple cider vinegar and flour to make a thick paste. Apply the resulting mixture to the painful area and let it dry. As it dries, the itching will disappear.

What complications can occur in a child after a mosquito bite?

Complications from mosquito bites can be very serious. Among them, in the first place is secondary infection with any infection or parasites. Malaria-carrying mosquitoes are especially dangerous to humans, as the disease develops rapidly and is most often fatal in children. In second place is an allergic reaction, which can lead to severe swelling not only of soft tissues, but also of vital organs.

How can you protect yourself?

It is much easier to prevent trouble than to fix it. That is why the main recommendation for protecting a child from mosquito bites is to create conditions where mosquitoes simply cannot get to the child. For this, fumigators, special anti-mosquito creams and sprays are used. In addition to chemical protection, you can use mosquito nets that block mosquitoes from entering your home.

Pediatrician, allergologist-immunologist, graduated from Samara State Medical University with a degree in Pediatrics.