6 Bedbug Bite Treatments That Will Banish Stubborn Itchiness

For most people, just hearing the word “bedbug” is enough to make them feel itchy all over. These pests hide during the day and come out at night to feed. They can hitchhike from place to place in luggage, clothing, and other belongings, making infestations difficult to treat. Adult bedbugs can survive for a long time without a meal and hide in tight spaces during the day. 

Bedbug bites can cause intense itching and make it difficult to sleep. Although the bites rarely cause serious health problems, scratching can damage the skin and increase the risk of infection. 

Getting rid of bedbugs can take time. In the meantime, bedbug bite treatments can help relieve itching and keep you more comfortable while you work on eliminating the infestation.

What are the most effective bedbug bite treatments?

There’s no treatment that can make bedbug bites disappear immediately. Your body reacts to the bites with inflammation (redness, swelling, and itching). This reaction goes away over time.

Bedbugs don’t live on your body, so you don’t need medication to kill or remove them from your skin. This is different from infections such as scabies or lice, which require medication to get rid of them. 

Fortunately, several treatments can help relieve the itching and inflammation caused by bedbug bites. They can also help prevent scratching, minimize the risk of infection, and keep you comfortable while you heal. 

1. Soap and water

Scratching bedbug bites can create small breaks in the skin, giving bacteria a chance to enter and cause an infection. Washing the affected areas with soap and water helps keep the skin clean and lowers the risk of infection. 

You don’t need a special antibacterial soap. Regular soap and water are enough. Try to avoid scratching the bites, and keep the affected skin clean and dry. 

2. Steroid ointments

Topical steroids can relieve itchiness, redness, and swelling from bedbug bites. They come in different formulations (like creams, lotions, and ointments). Stick with ointments if possible. They don’t contain alcohol or other ingredients that may be irritating to your skin. Some options include:

• Hydrocortisone, which is available over the counter (OTC) 

• Triamcinolone and other higher-strength steroid ointments, which are available with a prescription and may help if you have more severe itching 

Use topical steroids as directed. Using them for too long or applying them too often can cause side effects, including skin thinning. Avoid applying them to sensitive areas like the face, unless a healthcare professional recommends it. 

3. Antihistamines

When a bedbug bites you, your body releases histamines near the bite. Histamine contributes to itching, and antihistamine medications can help reduce this symptom. Antihistamines are available in oral and topical forms. Antihistamine pills may be especially helpful if you have multiple itchy bites. Options include:

• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), an OTC antihistamine that can relieve itching but may cause significant drowsiness 

• Cetirizine (Zyrtec) and loratadine (Claritin), newer OTC antihistamines that don’t cause drowsiness 

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4. Cold compresses

Cold can temporarily numb the skin and reduce itching and inflammation. Try rinsing the affected area with cool water or applying a cool, wet cloth. 

You can also use an ice pack wrapped in a towel. Apply it for up to 20 minutes at a time, and repeat every few hours as needed. Don’t put ice directly on your skin. 

5. Cotton clothes

Certain fabrics can rub against your skin and make itching worse. While your bites heal, choose loose-fitting clothes made from breathable materials like cotton. 

Avoid tight clothing and rough fabrics like wool if they irritate your skin. Reducing friction can help keep already irritated skin from becoming even itchier. 

6. Oatmeal baths

Oatmeal baths can soothe irritated skin and relieve itching. Colloidal oatmeal can also help moisturize the skin and support its natural barrier. 

Use lukewarm rather than hot water, since hot water can dry out and irritate your skin. Soak for about 10 to 15 minutes, then gently pat your skin dry. You can make your own oatmeal bath or use a premade colloidal oatmeal product.

What do bedbug bites look like?

Before starting bedbug bite treatment, it’s helpful to know what the bites can look like. Bedbug bites can look different from person to person. And their appearance alone can’t confirm that bedbugs caused them. Here are a few features that can help you recognize them: 

• Appearance: On fair skin, bedbug bites look like small, pink or red, raised bumps On darker skin tones, they may look brown, violet, or skin-colored. As they heal, bedbug bites can leave behind dark marks that may take months to fade (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation). 

• Pattern: Bedbug bites often appear in groups or lines. Bedbugs may bite several times as they move across the skin, creating a linear or zigzag pattern. (These are sometimes called “breakfast, lunch, and dinner” bites). 

• Location: Bedbugs tend to bite exposed skin, like the neck, arms, legs, and back. They generally can’t bite through clothing, so bites are more likely to appear on skin that wasn’t covered while you slept. 

Not everyone develops a reaction to bedbug bites, even after being bitten. Because reactions vary from person to person, finding bedbugs in your environment can be a more reliable clue than the appearance of the bites alone.

Bedbug bite pictures 

These pictures show what bedbug bites can look like on different skin tones and in different locations.

Bedbug bites on darker skin look like small brown bumps.

Bedbug bites on darker skin tones can leave dark marks after they heal.

Bedbug bites are common on the arms and hands.

Some people can have many bedbug bites at once.

How can you check for bedbugs?

You won’t see bedbugs living on your skin. Instead, look for signs of an infestation around your bed and other places where they may hide. Check your mattress, bedding, and furniture, as well as nearby cracks and crevices. Here are common signs of bedbugs to look for:

• Live bedbugs: Check the folds and seams of your mattress and sheets, couch seams, between cushions, curtain folds, and cracks of crevices around your bed and walls. 

• Rust-colored stains: Small red or rust-colored stains on your sheets can come from crushed bedbugs. 

• Dark spots: Tiny dark spots on your bedding or mattress may be bedbug feces. 

• Shed skins: Look for pale yellow or translucent exoskeletons, which bedbugs leave behind as they grow.

How long does a bedbug bite last?

Bedbug bites usually improve within 1 to 2 weeks, but the itching and skin changes can last longer in some people. If you continue to develop new bites, the bedbugs may still be alive. 

To prevent new bites, you’ll need to address the infestation. This may include: 

• Washing and drying bedding and clothing on high heat

• Using a mattress encasement

• Reducing clutter

• Contacting a pest-control professional

How can you prevent bedbug infestations?

It’s impossible to completely prevent bedbugs, but you can take steps to reduce your risk of bringing them into your home. Bedbugs are excellent hitchhikers, so paying attention when you travel or bring secondhand items into your home can help. Here are some other ways to prevent bedbugs: 

• Check your room when you travel. Look for signs of bedbugs around the mattress, headboard, bed frame, and nearby furniture before unpacking. 

• Keep luggage off the floor. When traveling, keep your suitcase and other belongings off the floor and away from the bed or other soft furnishings.

• Inspect secondhand items. Check used furniture, mattresses, and other items for bedbugs before bringing them into your home. 

• Reduce clutter. Keeping bedrooms and other areas free of clutter gives bedbugs fewer places to hide. 

• Wash and dry bedding regularly. Wash bedding regularly and use the highest heat setting that’s safe for the fabric when drying it. 

• Vacuum regularly. Vacuum your bedroom frequently, including your mattress and upholstered furniture. 

• Handle laundry carefully. If you use shared laundry facilities, bring home laundry in a plastic bag and fold clothes at home. 

When to see a doctor for bedbug bites

Most bedbug bites improve on their own and don’t require medical treatment. But it’s a good idea to see a healthcare professional if you have:

• Many bedbug bites, especially if they’re causing significant itching or discomfort 

• Blisters or a severe skin reaction

• Signs of a skin infection, like increasing redness, warmth, swelling, or pus

• Bites that keep coming back or you’re not sure what’s causing them

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Written by:

Christine Giordano, MD

Christine Giordano, MD, is board-certified in general internal medicine. She received her medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and completed residency at Thomas Jefferson University.

Edited by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. A pulmonologist and hospitalist, she practiced and taught clinical medicine at hospitals in London for a decade before entering a career in health education and technology.

Reviewed by:

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who has practiced dermatology and dermatopathology for over 10 years across private practice, academic, and telehealth settings. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatopathology.

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