The Most Common Bed Bug Bite Symptoms—and Doctor-Approved Ways to Heal Them at Home

If you’re someone who thoroughly inspects the sheets whenever you enter a hotel or another accommodation where you didn’t clean the bedding yourself, you understand the completely valid aversion to bed bugs.

Signs of bed bugs

Regrettably, bed bug infestations can happen in a variety of ways as they cling to people, clothing, luggage, purses, backpacks and other items. They can also be found in used home goods, especially mattresses, box springs, couches and chairs, and upholstered furniture. Once they’ve made their way inside, bed bugs can travel between rooms as they find different surfaces to live, breed and feed on.

Sometimes, no matter how clean we keep a space, these little buggers make themselves at home. If you find yourself or a loved one with the misfortune of being bitten by them, though, you’ll want to act quickly to ease irritation and discomfort.  Thankfully, there are home remedies that allow you to do just that.

Bed bug bite symptoms

“The symptoms typically include small, red, itchy welts that often appear in a line or cluster, commonly on exposed skin areas such as the face, neck, arms and legs,” explains Hannah Kopelman, DO , a dermatologist at Kopelman Aesthetic Surgery. The red bumps will often take on a zigzag pattern.

Bed bug bites can often be challenging to distinguish from other bug bites, but there are a few key differences. Flea bites, for example, usually appear as small, red bumps, primarily on the legs and ankles, and can be intensely itchy, says Dr. Kopelman. Spider bites can vary greatly but often present as red, inflamed spots that may sometimes blister.

You also may see what looks like a black dot or darker spot at the center of a bed bug bite, which is usually where skin was pierced, Dr. Kopelman notes, but these are not always present.

Watch this quick TikTok video for a crash course on identifying bed bug bites:

Besides itchiness, some people may experience swelling, pain or blisters, adds Raj Dasgupta, MD , ABIM Quadruple board-certified physician specializing in internal medicine, pulmonology, critical care and sleep medicine and Medical Reviewer for the National Council on Aging. Marks from bed bug bites usually appear at night, he says.

While itchiness is the most common complaint, bed bug bites can also cause secondary infections due to excessive scratching, says Dr. Kopelman. This can lead to more serious skin infections like cellulitis if left untreated.

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How to prevent bed bug bites

Of course, maintaining clean bedding and furniture in your home is the most effective method for staving off a bedbug infestation, but experts strongly recommend using bed bug-proof mattress encasements to prevent infestations as well. You can also consider a protective barrier of insect-repellent cream which may keep bugs at bay.

Wearing long-sleeved pajamas and pants can reduce the amount of exposed skin, keeping rooms clutter-free and vacuuming regularly can help eliminate potential hiding spots for bed bugs and keeping your bed away from walls and furniture can make it harder for bed bugs to reach you.

“Tea tree oil is something that bed bugs don’t like, so applying that to the skin may help,” adds Jennie Stanford, MD, FAAFP, DipABOM , family physician and medical contributor for Drugwatch.

Home remedies for bed bug bites

As long as you don’t exhibit signs of a serious health problem such as infection or allergic reaction, you can mostly treat bed bug bites at home.

Keep bites clean

Washing the bites with soap and water is key for preventing infection, Dr. Stanford advises.

Try cold compresses

Cold compresses and ice packs can help to reduce itching and swelling.

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Use anti-itch creams

“Over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion can provide relief from itching, and oral antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can help alleviate allergic reactions,” says Dr. Kopelman.

Make a mixture

An aloe vera and baking soda paste can also be soothing, Dr. Dasgupta says. You can also try soaking in an oatmeal bath, adds Dr. Kopelman.

When to see a doctor for bed bug bites

“You should see a doctor if you experience severe itching that doesn’t respond to over-the-counter treatments, signs of a secondary infection such as redness, warmth, swelling, or pus, or if you develop a severe allergic reaction characterized by difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips or face or widespread hives,” advises Dr. Kopelman.

“Additionally, if the bites continue to appear despite your efforts to eliminate bed bugs, it may indicate a persistent infestation that requires professional pest control.”

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This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.