Do Bed Bugs Make You Itchy?
WouterBedbug bites cause itchiness, redness, and swelling. These are the signs of bedbug infestation, and they can also be indicative of hives. The bites are often small and clustered on one part of the body. In severe cases, these bites may even result in anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.
Bedbugs are everywhere, from mattresses and furniture to textiles and cracks in walls. They are most active at night, when humans sleep and are exposed to them. If you wake up to itchy skin, you’re likely to have bedbug bites. The bites are usually painless, but they’re noticeable enough to raise some suspicions. They’re often mistaken for a different kind of rash, or they can even be mistaken for a different rash.
If you’re not sure what’s causing the itching, try applying a natural antihistamine. The chemicals in bed bug feces contain histamine, which can trigger allergic reactions in humans. The chemicals in bedbug feces can linger for up to three months after an infestation. Heat treatments can’t eliminate histamine, but deep cleaning can help remove any lingering allergens.
People who get bedbug bites will usually experience itching for a few days. Other people, however, continue to itch for days or weeks. Usually, the symptoms will go away on their own within a few weeks, but in some people, the itchiness may last for up to 14 days.
