How Long Do Bed Bugs Last on Skin?
While it is unlikely that you will have permanent damage caused by bed bug bites, they can be unsightly and uncomfortable. If you have a large cluster of bites on one area of your body, you may have an infestation. In addition, bites on your face and arms may result in open wounds. This can cause a slow healing process and lead to Keloid scarring.
The symptoms of bed bug bites typically appear on the skin within a few days, but they may take as long as two weeks to heal. Those with extremely sensitive skin may experience immediate symptoms, while others may not experience any symptoms. For the best results, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
If you have bed bug bites, the first step is to treat them. Corticosteroid creams can be applied to the area to ease the itching. However, you must make sure not to scratch the area, as scratching the affected area will lead to bleeding and inflammation. Serious cases may even become infected and dangerous. In the meantime, you can apply antihistamines, apply ice packs to reduce the itching, and apply calamine lotion or alovera gel to soothe any redness.
Antihistamines are often prescribed as soon as bed bug bites occur, but can also help with the itching at any time. If the bitten area becomes infected, antibiotics may be necessary to treat it and allow the wound to heal. Other people opt to try various home remedies, while others prefer to consult a healthcare provider for medical advice.