Bed Bugs 101 – How Long do Bed Bug Bites Last ? – All You Should Know About These Guys!

Really? It's bedbugs?

What could be more unpleasant than finding that those little red spots on your skin are actually bedbug bites? Ew!

And you thought your bed was your cozy, safe refuge. You never offered your body as a feeding ground for insects.

If this is your first encounter with the nasty creatures, you’re sure to have some questions. If you weren't aware, these guys love to feast on your blood while you sleep.

They seek out exposed skin, settle in for a few minutes of dining, then slink off into the dark, hoping you lay the blame for those itchy red spots on mosquitoes.

But now you know ...    It's bedbugs!

Questions about those embarrassing bites

Once you have accepted the ugly truth, concerns like, “How long does a bite last?” and “How do I get them out of my bed and my house?” are certainly going to come to mind.

So, putting first things first, you, the victim, begin the thought process. How long can you expect to see the itchy red welts on your skin? Will they fade soon or are you doomed to a lifetime of scratching and answering the embarrassing questions about the source of those red spots?

The single piece of good news about bedbugs and their bites is that they don't carry disease.

Itching, swelling, allergic reactions - yes, but no disease.

Whew! Having established that, let's move on..

If, however, the bite causes an allergic reaction, all bets are off. While most people do not have a particular sensitivity to the bite, it is certainly possible to experience a severe reaction.

In these cases, one might develop serious skin lesions and have bites last longer than two weeks. Should the time extend to that degree, it would be wise to consult a medical professional.

The most efficient and effective treatment for the bites is to see a doctor or dermatologist. Let him know the identified cause of your lesions so that he can devise an appropriate treatment plan.

​How to Relieve the Itchiness of a Begbug Bite?

If however a medical professional is not in your plan, try the home remedy of squeezing some lemon juice on a cotton ball or cloth and hold on the affected area. This should relieve some of the itching and swelling on a temporary basis.

An alternative to lemon juice is Calamine lotion which, when rubbed in well on all bitten areas, can provide significant relief from the itching and make you much more comfortable.

With a doctor visit, application of lemon juice, or Calamine lotion, you could expect to be free of bedbug bite evidence within two weeks.

 - So, what can you do to make these marks hurry along their way to disappearance?

- Not much, to be honest. They just naturally take their own sweet time to heal naturally. The topical applications available help ease the itching, but they do little if anything to diminish the evidence of the bites. Patience is the only answer.

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And a little more bad news..

An unpleasant truth of which to be aware is that bed bug bites can leave scars. Not all of them leave a permanent mark, but on sensitive skin it is quite possible that they will leave a lasting impression.

Bed-bug bites, for some reason, have a higher tendency to scar than do other types of bites. Another variable in the presence of bites is the fact that the time between being bitten and the time that symptoms appear varies among different individuals.

This can confound your ability to be certain where you were actually bitten. If you borrowed a sleeping bag, stayed in a hotel or visited a friend, before the spots appeared, the possibilities are multiplied.

In short, several different factors can influence how long bedbug bites last. You may not like that answer, but knowing the facts of your situation is helpful in dealing with it. Have reasonable and informed expectations while you wait for nature to take its course. Focus on making sure that you don’t experience a repeat visit of the bugs.

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Why did Bedbugs Pick my House? How did they enter?

Having established that you’ve been invaded by bedbugs, don't be overcome by embarrassment, as they are as happy to settle into a clean home as in a dirty one.

And once they've taken up residence, getting them to die or move on is not a job for sissies.

They can hide in the tiniest crevices and cracks or take up residence in your clothing and closet. They probably arrived as hitchhikers on used furniture or in a visitor's suitcase. However they may have chosen your home, what remains is to take steps to prevent them from maintaining a comfy residence in your mattress and linens.

Also Read: ​How To Avoid Bed Bugs In Hotels

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How do I get rid of the bugs?

First, protect yourself from further bites.

Take the quickest step by investing in a mattress encasement or Active Guard liner that will prevent any further in-and-out movement of the bugs. Keep in mind, however, that they can live up to a year without replenishing their sustenance, so be sure to leave such a cover intact for at least that long.

Next, thoroughly launder all linens, pillows, curtains, and clothing that may have lain on your bed or near it to get a fresh start while you deal with the long-term problem. Clean up any clutter around your bed. Check spines of the books on your night table. Look in its drawers - especially in the corners. Then decide how to go about eliminating the pests. Find a good source for home techniques for getting rid of bedbug infestations and follow all the steps or locate a professional exterminating company to do the job.

Cleaning your home of a bedbug problem is not an easy task. if not accomplished thoroughly, you most certainly will relive the whole experience. They are nothing if not resilient and persistent. Really effective removal calls for the use of chemicals and this may be something you don't want to undertake on your own. The results of misuse of these substances could be worse than hosting the bedbugs. The most certain, thorough and easiest solution is to call in a professional exterminator. Whichever route you choose, it's crucial to do something proactive or the bugs and bites will be a constant problem.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

​https://www.terminix.com/blog/diy/signs-your-room-has-bed-bugs

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