Do you want to know how to get rid of bed bug bites on babies? In this article, I will show you easy steps to heal the bites faster and avoid secondary infections.
Finding bed bug bites on your little ones can raise concerns. Bed bugs are parasitic insects that feed on animals, adults, and even babies. It is also scary, figuring out what exposed your little ones to bedbugs, but many factors can lead to the situation. For instance, when babies sleep in multiple places in the home, it increases the chances of bedbug bites. When you also have pets, or there are pets in the neighborhood, it increases the risks of having bed bugs in the home.
There is no cause for alarm; here are simple steps you can take to get rid of bed bug bites on your little ones.
Identify the bug bites
Bites on babies do not differ from the ones found on adults. Often, these bites appear in straight rows, zigzag lines, or small clusters. However, it might take as much as four days to show on the baby’s skin. Bed bugs also mostly bite at night, so you might likely find the bedbug bites in the morning. You should also confirm whether you are dealing with bed bugs, look for these signs:
- Check around your home and pets for fecal stains, brown shed skins or small blood spots on sheets and baby’s pajamas
- You can also look for the bed bugs themselves in cracks and crevices around your home, especially within the nearest spaces from your baby’s crib.
- If the infestation is huge, you might also perceive a strong musty smell.
How babies react to bed bug bites
Babies and kids need extra care and attention. Bed bug bites itch a lot and it can be so hard to stop your little ones from scratching the bite marks.
Scratching can cause a secondary infection. Therefore, you need to take measures to ease the itching. Before we talk about those steps, look out for complicating signs like this:
- Chills
- Dimpling on the skin
- Red streaks or spots around the bites
- Pus or drainage around the bites
- Pain or tenderness
These are all signs of an infection and you must contact emergency medical care immediately. You also need emergency medical care, if you notice allergic reactions such as;
- Nausea
- Uncontrollable itching
- Painful swelling
- Troubled breathing
- Fever
- Vomiting
Treat the bed bug bites
Now, let us talk about how to get rid of the bed bug bites on babies. There are so many methods, but these are the safe and most effective methods.
- Soap and water: The first step to treat every bug bite must be by washing with soap and water. It washes away germs and prevents infection. It can also provide instant relief from the bite marks.
- Lacto-Calamine lotion: Calamine lotion can soothe your baby’s skin and provide a protective covering, so the bite heals faster. Avoid areas around the hands, genitals, and eyes.
- Cold compress: You can also try using a cool compress to ease the itching
- Topical medications: There are over-the-counter medications you can use, but you must consult your child’s doctor to make the right choice. Some medications are not safe for kids.
- Bandage: You may cover bites with a bandage to prevent your child from scratching them. This is a very important step when dealing with toddlers.
Some babies may not experience pain or itching, but the bites might cause irritability and disrupt sleeping patterns. Bed bugs bites can heal on their own, but it is not safe to do that. You can use these steps on how to get rid of bed bug bites on babies to help your little one heal faster. Protect your little one and prevent bites by eliminating the infestation as soon as possible. Contact the CDC for more tips and tricks to control infestation. Read More…
