Bed bugs are small, wingless parasites that typically feed on humans at night. Bed bug bites cause small, itchy welts to appear on the skin because your body has a mild allergic reaction at the bite area. Sometimes, this allergic reaction can be severe and affect the whole body. Other times, the bite wound can become infected with bacteria. These infections caused by bed bugs need to be treated to keep the infection from spreading.
Step 1
Avoid scratching the bite. This will only make it itch more and can break the skin, leading to a risk of secondary infection.
Step 2
Apply antibiotic cream. This over-the-counter product will help kill any bacteria that make have gotten into the bite area. If you think that your bite has become infected, make sure that the cream you apply is antibiotic cream, not cortisone cream. Cortisone cream, while effective at relieving the symptoms of an insect bite, will suppress your immune system.
Step 3
If the infection persists for more than a few days, spreads, or if you start to see red lines emanating from the bite area, visit your doctor. Your doctor will be able to prescribe antibiotics to help keep the infection from spreading further.
