bed bug bites

[itchey999]

I've recently found out that I have bedbugs.  My daughter has bites on her that will not go away, I've put gold bond anti-itch cream, anti-itch lotions and the bumps do not seem to disappear.  What can I use to help heel the bites?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Treatment of bug bites by oral antihistamines. You can also apply 1%hydrocortisone cream on the effected area. Try taking Vitamin C along with this treatment. Vitamin C is a general anti-allergy supplement. It helps stabilize mast cells so they are less likely to release histamine.
To reduce bed bugs , remove drapes, feather pillows and upholstered furnitur. Wash carpets and upholstery with special cleaners, such as benzyl benzoate or tannic acid spray. Wash all bedding in hot water (hotter than 130°F) every 7 to 10 days. Don't use mattress pads. Cover mattress and pillows with plastic covers. Lower the humidity in your home.
Please see your dermatologist if the condition does not improve. I hope it helps. Take care and regards.

[Marylou_II]

It is useless to treat bedbugs as long as the bugs are in the house. What you need to urgently do is to clear out all the stuff you have in the infested areas, if clothes are clean put them in the dryer at around 130ºF and leave them there for a while, heat kills bedbugs. Once done put the heated clothes inside plastic bags and close them firmly. Keep going and do the same with all the clean clothes. Whatever needs washing, do it in the washer with very hot water and your usual detergent, dry as before and put them into a plastic bags firmly closed. Then get all the bedding out and vacuum thoroughly, again into a plastic bag firmly closed. Vacuum the rugs, curtains and very specially the mattress, on the seams, tufts, or folds of mattresses, pillows,bed frames, head boards, behind baseboards, pictures, frames, windows, door casings, loosened wall paper, cracks in plaster, and behind electrical wall plates.Once you have striped the rooms, vacuumed everything and have your plastic bags with the heated clothes take a hot shower with soap the same as the kids, take your pets with you and let the pest control guy in but make sure he knows his job. After a few hours you can return home but check with the pest control guy if any further furniture, couches, carpets and others still have signs of bed bugs. If so you will have to get rid of all that is infested specially the mattresses. It is a hard job but absolutely necessary.Once you have vacuum everything, give it a second try with a steam cleaner, be sure you have done the same inside drawers, bed heading, closets and any other place where there maybe wood cracks, they love to hide there.  

The bed bug bites will heal by showering in hot water and a good medical soap. Keep your eyes open should the bed bugs come back and immediately call the pest guy again until your home is bed bug free . For further information read the enclosed link.

http://www.ci.cincinnati.oh.us/health/downloads/health_pdf11068.pdf

Regards.