Don’t Let the Bedbugs Bite!

Posted by Dr. Joshua Fox

What are bedbugs?

Bedbugs are very small, fat, reddish-brown insects that feed on human and animal blood. They are the size of an apple seed. The average length of a bedbug is four to five millimeters. Bedbugs are mostly active at night. A female bedbug can lay up to five eggs in one day. These eggs take about 5 weeks to hatch. The average bedbug can live eighteen months without feeding. Bedbugs do not fly – they move very quickly across walls, floors and ceilings.

Signs of Bedbug Infestation

Bedbugs like to live in beds, on pets, and in furniture but they can be found in other areas of a home.

The following are common signs of bedbugs:

• Small reddish brown fecal on bed and walls.
• Bite marks on your body.
• Casing or shedded skin.
• Blood stains.

Getting Rid of Bedbugs

If you suspect that bedbugs have invaded your home, you should do the following to get rid of them:

• Launder clothes with hot water and dry on hot settings. Dry clean if needed.
• Vacuum you entire home. Vacuuming will remove bedbugs from walls, furniture and other surfaces.
• Repair or replace cracked and open holes to eliminate bedbug sites.
• Hire the professional. An exterminator may be expensive but very effective.
• Use a plastic cover over the bed and box springs.

Treatments

A bedbug bite is very itchy and looks like red bumps. The bites are often mistaken for mosquito bites. To reduce swelling and itching, follow these steps:

• Wash the bite with soap and water.
• Apply corticosteroid cream.
• Use baking soda to make a thick paste. Apply the paste to the bites for at least an hour.

Still Itchy? Contact Us Today!

For some people, the above steps may not be enough to reduce the itchiness associated with bedbug bites. If you are experiencing redness, soreness, swelling, or extreme itchiness, contact us today to schedule a consultation and discuss treatment options. At Advanced Dermatology, PC, our board-certified dermatologists are experts at treating adverse reactions to insect bites and other skin conditions. Our conveniently located offices welcome patients from Queens (Bayside, Flushing), Long Island – Nassau/Suffolk (Roslyn/Albertson, West Islip, Commack, East Setauket), New York City, Westchester County (Ossining), Bergen County, NJ, Union County, NJ, and all surrounding areas.