So you’re safely tucked in bed and you had restful sleep. Just when you think it’s a great day, you saw your arms covered with swollen, itchy welts. The sneaky bed bugs hiding on your bed has finally launched its first attack. And as the casualty of your defenseless war, your skin is left with unbearably irritating nibbles. The next thing you’ll think is this: what will cure bed bug bites?
The good thing about bed bugs, if there’s any, is it doesn’t carry any transmissible disease. However, infections may take place when you habitually scratch the bites that, in turn, will become open wounds. You should address the bites right away to prevent this from happening.
1. Soap and water
Table of Contents
The reason why the bed bug bites itch is because of the substances on the saliva of the pest that react on the open portion of the skin. Washing it with gentle soap and running water would be a quick solution to reduce the itchy feeling so you can avoid scratching it. There would still be itchiness, and in this case, you can use other listed remedies.
One way to make this solution work for you is to continue rubbing the soap until it lathers thickly on your skin. Let it dry for a few minutes so the disinfecting chemicals can seep through the bites. Afterward, rinse it well with running water.
2. What will cure bed bug bites: Calamine lotion
Calamine lotion is a staple household item in aiding rashes and skin inflammations. Applying the lotion to the bites for at least twice a day can bring great relief. Sometimes, this can work better than taking topical analgesics. This lotion has anti-histamines that will fight the histamines causing the itchiness.
If this doesn’t work, you can try another anti-itch cream or seek the help of a physician for a prescription of oral anti-histamines. Avoid using numerous creams and ointments one after the other as this may irritate the bites even more. You should visit a dermatologist if ever the bites are starting to discharge fluids or pus.
3. Cinnamon and honey paste
Once you saw bug bites on your skin, grab some cinnamon, crush it, and mix it with honey. This sweet solution has an anti-inflammatory effect as well as moisturizing benefits to aid the itching of the bites. The honey ingredient would actually discourage the bugs from biting on the same spot where you applied the remedy.
If you don’t have honey at home, you can mix crushed cinnamon with water and use it as a disinfectant wash. This will prevent the event if infection and it will have a soothing effect on the itchiness. It’s also a good option to create a paste of cinnamon and water so you can apply it to the bites like a cream.
4. What will cure bed bug bites? Use cold or warm compress
Using a cold compress on the bites would numb the section of the skin and give you temporary relief from the itchiness. Just avoid putting the ice directly on your skin and wrap it with a cloth if you don’t have a compress. You can do this while preparing some DIY remedies for the bites.
Another option that you can utilize is the use of hot compress. The heat will also ease the itchiness and if there are too many bites, you can simply take a hot shower for immediate relief. Make sure that you dry the bites well after taking a bath. You can also use a hair dryer to apply heat on the affected area.
5. Aloe vera gel
Aloe vera gel has many health wonders and this will be proven true once again when you have bug bites. The natural gel is rich in glucomannan, carbohydrate polymers, and pectic acid that help in reducing the itchiness. It’s also packed with amino acids and vitamins that help restore the health of the skin.
Simply extract the pure Aloe vera gel from the fresh leaf and apply it directly to the bites. Wash the leaf first before getting the gel to remove any dust or dirt sticking to it. It’s normal that it would sting during application as the substance would seep through the open portions of the skin. What will cure bed bug bites won’t kill you!
6. Oatmeal
While you prepare your breakfast, you can also create a home remedy for your bed bug bites. Oatmeal is no longer only a hearty meal as it’s proven to work in easing irritation, itching, and inflammation of insect bites. The FDA even approved the use of oatmeal as a skin protectant back in June 2003.
Oatmeal contains high levels of phenol, a substance that’s known for its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Just mix oatmeal and a small amount of water until you create a paste. Apply it on the bites for 10 minutes before rinsing.
If you have bites all over your body, you can have a 15-minute oatmeal bath with a few drops of peppermint oil.
7. Lemon balm
As an astringent, the lemon fruit has the ability to reduce inflammations and itchiness in a variety of skin problems. However, don’t pour lemon juice directly on the bites as it will hurt so much that may cause further inflammation. Instead, use a cotton ball to dab a small amount of juice into it.
Another option you have is to use lemon balm, a plant related to the mint family. The leaves of this plant have the same smell with lemons and you can use it by crushing a few. Apply it on the bites to ease the itchiness.
What will cure bed bug bites? These simple remedies would help in reducing the itchiness of the bug attacks. Keep in mind that these are just home solutions and it would still be best to consult a medical expert to address your skin problems. If the bites become worse, stop using these remedies and visit a dermatologist right away.
