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Do Bed Bug Bites Itch?

If you’ve ever suffered from a bed bug infestation before, you know how itchy their bites can be.  Although not every person reacts to bed bug bites in the same manner,  itchiness is the most common symptom for those that do.

The four most common symptoms from a bed bug bite are as follows:

  • Itchiness
  • Redness
  • Swelling
  • Tenderness
Itching bed bug bite on leg

Common Symptoms of Bed Bug Bites

Bed bug bites are not felt immediately because the bugs inject an anesthetic and an anticoagulant that prevents a person from realizing they are being bitten. When the bite does appear in a few hours or days, there are several common symptoms reported. The bite will appear slightly swollen and red, and will itch or irritate the skin. In addition to the physical symptoms of a bed bug bite, it’s easy to also suffer from insomnia and anxiety due to the stress of an infestation.

When do Bed Bug Bites Heal?

After a bite develops, it can take anywhere from a week to two weeks to fully heal. People with stronger reactions to insect bites, in general, may notice bites take three weeks or longer to heal. In general, allowing a bite to heal properly (without scratching it) is your best bet of to get rid of the bites quickly. While rare, some people may react to bites poorly and even have an allergic reaction, which needs to be brought to the attention of a medical professional immediately.

Can I Scratch a Bed Bug Bite?

Just as you would for any bug bite, it’s crucial to resist the urge to scratch at your bed bug bites. Doing so can delay the healing process, re-open more serious wounds, and make the bites even worse! In serious cases, bed bug bites can become infected. Symptoms would be much worse and could cause a fever or nearby lymph node swelling. In this case, it’s important to seek help from a medical professional.

Do Bed Bug Bites Itch in Southern Louisiana?

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