Bed bugs are small insects that nest in warm, dry places. Their love for mattresses and other furniture is the reason for their name. These spots are ideal because it provides then with mammal blood, which is their primary food source, according to the Skin Sight website. The bites themselves are painless and do not pose a threat, but they can cause discomfort. In some infants, however, they can provoke scratching that may lead to scarring. Fortunately, you can take measures to eliminate--quickly and effectively--bed bugs and also treat the bites on your infant's skin.
Step 1
Rub a low-strength topical corticosteroid cream--hydrocortisone is popular and effective--into your infant's skin to soothe the itching. This medication can be purchased over-the-counter and does not pose any health risks to your child, although you should avoid applying it to the face and in skin folds, where it can become trapped and cause irritation of the location. Apply the cream as needed, making sure to treat your infant at night before bedtime, when itching can be at its worst.
Step 2
Visit your doctor and obtain a prescription-strength topical steroid to treat severe bed bug bites on your infant's body. Similar to hydrocortisone, this medication is rubbed into the skin to provide relief. You should apply it only as a directed by your doctor.
Step 3
Treat any allergic reactions to the bed bug bites with an antihistamine, but consult your child's pediatrician before administering any oral drugs. Some antihistamine medications can yield benefits in treating bed bug bites in small children.
Tips and Warnings
- Trim your child's fingernails to eliminate the risk of them damaging their skin through excessive scratching. Make sure to wash all linens and upholstered furniture in hot water to kill the bed bugs. Treat intense bed bug infestations by calling a pest control specialist.
- Always talk to your doctor before using a medication or exposing your child to any new chemicals and/or medications. Contact your doctor immediately if any scratching of the bites leads to pus, redness, swelling, fever or blisters. These can all be signs of infection and should be treated immediately. Some children experience an allergic reaction to bed bug bites that can cause difficulty breathing. Call your doctor or visit an emergency room if you experience such a problem.
Things You'll Need
- Low-strength topical corticosteroid cream
