Signs of bed bug bites on babies. There are lots of things that can bite your child apart from bed bugs. Kids can get bitten at home or outside when they play. Bites are a common occurrence for kids, and because of the varying nature of what can bite your child, it is essential to differentiate between various bug bites.
- Single bite: bed bug, ants or mosquitoes
- Two bites: spiders or ticks
- Flat or itchy: bed bugs
- Flat, raised and itchy: Mosquitoes
- Non-painful bite: flea, spider, chigger, bed bugs
- Painful bite: fly, ant, mosquito, spider
- Blister: spider
- No blister: chiggers, mosquito, or fleas
From the guidelines above, you can easily infer if a bed bug causes the bite on your kid. Should you suspect a bed bug bite, quickly and promptly carryout an inspection of your child’s sleeping area for signs of bed bugs. Common signs of bed bugs include; skin shed, empty exoskeleton, blood stains, fecal stains, the presence of eggs or bed bugs, and a smell of wet towel. If you see any bed bugs, take adequate care, so you don’t facilitate the spreading of the bugs in your home.
How to eradicate bed bugs from your baby’s room
Seal off all joints
The first step is for you to seal up all joints, cracks, and crevices. Do not forget to seal spaces near electrical switches, baseboards, light fixtures,and wall cavities.
Treat rugs and carpets
An excellent habitat for bed bugs is usually under carpets and rugs. You can treat your rugs and carpets by applying diatomaceous powder under the carpets, and vacuum after 3-4 hours. Keep your baby away from the room when you are using the diatomaceous powder. If you can, rather than install carpets and rugs, you can install hardwood flooring instead.
Inspect cribs and box springs
You can use encasement for the mattress and box spring. If you find any bed bug sign on the crib, you can take the crib outside for a couple of days to drive off the bedbugs,or you can use a vacuum to clean the crib.
Clean the baby’s room with any combination of steam cleaning and soapy water.
Steam clean all carpets, rugs,and furniture in the baby’s room. You can also use soapy water to clean soft toys, floors, and furniture in the room.
Treat all rooms
Bed bugs are movers, and their presence in one room means they must have found their ways to another part of the house. It is essential that you treat the entire house should you find bed bugs in your kids’ room.
Home remedies to treat bed bug bites on your baby
Essential oil
Apply a mixture of lavender oil and olive or pure coconut oil on the bite mark. Do these three times a day until the itching stops or the swelling subsides.
Tea bag
Brew either black tea or green tea and apply the warm bag on the bite mark. Let it rest on the mark for 7 minutes. Do this as many times as it takes for the bite mark to go down.
Witch hazel
Witch hazel can help prevents secondary infections as a result of bed bug bite. Apply witch hazel on the affected area to reduce the red welts.
St. John’s Wort Salve
Use St. John’s Wort Salve to the affected area to numb the pain and reduce itching and redness.
Calendula ointment
This works great for bed bug bites. Simply apply all over the affected area to reduce itchiness
Baking soda
Apply water to baking soda to form a paste, and apply the paste to the bite mark to remove inflammation and redness
Apple cider vinegar remedy (use only for kids above three years)
Combine one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, a drop of lavender oil, and one drop of thyme essential oil. Apply the mixture on the bite marks.
Oatmeal bath
Add powdered oatmeal to the bath water and allow to soak for a couple of minutes. Use it to bath your baby.Oatmeal helps remove itchiness and skin irritation.
Trim your baby’s fingernails
Excessive scratching of the affected areas can lead to secondary infections. To prevent scratching, trim the fingers of your baby.
Don’t hesitate to call for medical aid
There are some signs that indicate your baby might be in need of some serious medical attention. Such signs include;
- Unconsciousness, and general weakness
- Difficulty in swallowing and in breathing
- Excessive itchiness all over the body
- Swelling close to the lips, and eyes
As soon as you notice a bed bug bite on your baby, contact medical professional immediately to ensure proper treatment.
