Learn How to Treat Bed Bug Bites Naturally: Natural Relief for the Itching and Irritation of Bed Bug Bites

Bed bugs are small nonflying insects. The adult is about 1/4 inch long, oval shape, and flattened from top to bottom. They can live and thrive in both unclean and clean environments. They are mostly found in areas where people sleep, are most active at night, and feed solely upon the blood of humans and other warm-blooded animals.

Bed Bug Bites

Bed bug bites can occur anywhere on the body but are most commonly seen on the face, neck, arms, and hands. The bite itself is painless but it will often leave behind a small bump (flat or raised) that is red, swollen, and itchy. The bites are harmless but can become infected if scratched at often.

How to Treat Bed Bug Bites Naturally

Bed bug bites typically require no treatment to heal unless they become infected. The following remedies can help relieve itching so an infection can be avoided:

• For quick relief, apply an ice pack to the affected area or rub some witch hazel over the site.

• Rub some aloe vera over the bites. You can use an all-natural product or use the gel right from the plant.

• Oatmeal is a wonderful remedy to treat itchy bites from bed bugs. Mix a little water with some uncooked oatmeal to form a paste and apply to the area. If you have many bites, you can add oatmeal to your bathwater. In a blender, blend one cup of dry oatmeal on the highest setting until it becomes a fine powder. Sprinkle it in the bathwater while running lukewarm water. Swish it around, soak for 15-30 minutes, and gently pat yourself dry afterwards with a soft towel.

• Saturate a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and apply to the affected area or add 2 cups of it into your bathwater.

• Add 3 tablespoons of baking soda into your bathwater.

• Thyme tea is another way on how to treat bed bug bites naturally. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1/4 ounce of dried thyme leaves, cover, steep for 10 minutes, and strain. Dip a clean cloth into the tea, wring it out, and apply to the affected area. You can also double the recipe and add it to your bathwater.

• Sprinkle some cornstarch over the itchy bites or add 1-2 cups of it in your bathwater.

Sources Used

Medicine Net: Bed Bugs - https://www.medicinenet.com/bed_bugs/article.htm

Harvard School Of Public Health: Bed Bugs Cimex lectularius (Cimicidae) - https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/bedbugs/

Joan Wilen and Lydia Wilen, Bottom Line’s Healing Remedies (2006)

Photo Credit

Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (in the public domain)

Disclaimer

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