Bed Bug Bites Treatment
Before we get to the details of how to deal with bed bug bites, please be aware of the fact that there is no such a thing as bed bug bites treatment. The topical or systemic antihistamines or cortisone are just for relieving the urge to scratch the bites so that they don't get worse. And if you don't do anything the bites will resolve on their own in 1-2 weeks.
There are, however, some home-made remedies to do the same
thing; relief the itch so that you can go on with your life not totally
distracted with the urge to scratch those bites. In the following few
paragraphs you'll learn some of those home-made remedies, but this is not
supposed to be your priority. Getting rid of the bed bugs is your goal because
it is important to prevent repeated bites in the same area to avoid the
complications. At the end of this article you will learn more about how to get
rid of bed bugs.
1. Baking soda paste:
Add drops of water to a 1:1 mixture of table salt and baking
soda just enough to make a paste. Apply the paste to the bites and leave it to
dry.
It is important to wash the bites really well with soap and
cold water with gentle rubbing. Allow cold water to run on the bites for a
minute to significantly reduce the itch. Please also avoid rough rubbing while
washing the bites because it will help spread the itch.
2. Zinc and ferric oxide mixture:
Also known as "calamine lotion". It can be applied
with a cotton swap straight to the bite after washing it with soap and cold
water. Zinc and ferric oxide mixture in presence of the phenol have an
antiseptic effect, so in addition to the relief it also helps stop any
infection that might come with the bite.
3. Use a repellent:
The repeated bites in the same area can be problematic. To
avoid repeated bites it is important to get rid of the bugs. Until this happens
a repellent can help keep the bugs away from your skin.
Now that the itch is soothed it's time to focus on what's
important: treating your bedroom. The mechanical treatment can do the trick so
that you don't have to get exposed to insecticides while asleep.
This can be done in a weekend. Take everything washable out
of the bedroom straight to the laundry in a sealed disposable container or bag.
After washing them with hot water dry them also on the hot cycle and place them
in new sealed containers or bags.
While the washable items are at the laundry vacuum
everything left behind, including the mattresses and pillows that don't fit in
the washing machine, and wrap them in the clear wrap so that the bugs will not
find a place to hide. Keep the clean laundry in the sealed containers and only
take out what you will use, and put them in a sealed container after you take
them off. Keep the vacuuming going for at least three weeks and keep the
laundry ritual above during that period.
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