How Long Do Bed Bug Bites Stay Itchy?

When bed bugs infest a particular area, it causes severe discomfort. And because of how they operate, people want to get rid of them by all means. That’s why they ask so many questions, some of which includes, “How long do bed bug bites stay itchy?”

There are many reasons why people ask this particular question. Chief among them is how similar a bed bug bite can be to one from a flea or mosquito. Some others, who are experiencing a bed bug infestation for the first time can also be highly worried about this, especially if particular itches are going on for too long.

Dealing with a bed bug invasion can be pretty tricky. When they invade your space, they tend to hide in places where it is difficult for them to be found out. Bed bugs usually hide in beds, chairs, underneath bedsheets and bite humans to feed on their blood.

How to Be Sure if You’ve Been Experiencing Bed Bug Bites

Before we answer this age-long question about bed bug bites, it’s essential to know (and be sure) that you’re being bitten by bed bugs. And there are a few ways to go about that.

What Do They Look Like?

If you’re unsure what they look like, bed bugs are reddish-brown and roughly the size of an apple seed. Their lengths can vary from 1 to 6 millimeters long. They’re mostly flat and do not have wings. This is why they depend on animals or humans to carry them from one place to another.

They infest homes, hotels, and hospitals. If you have these insects in your home, then you may have been experiencing bed bug bites.

How Often Do You Feel a Bed Bug Bite?

Bed bugs are experts in hiding, spreading across a particular area, and biting as often as possible. Have you been feeling a sensation of sharp bites frequently? Do you feel as though you are being bitten in the living room by the same insect that bit you in the bedroom?

If your answer is yes, not only are you suffering from a bed bug invasion (which you need to do something about fast), those bites definitely bed bug bites. Since they need blood to survive, bed bugs will bite as often as possible as long as they can’t be detected although they can also stay for weeks without feeding.

This is why you rarely see it (or them) when a bed bug strikes.

If you have been finding red spots on your neck or back, the chances are that you’ve been suffering from bed bug bites. If you have been experiencing a burning sensation, you have been suffering from bed bug bites too!

Now that you know what you’re dealing with, it’s time to find out about the itches.

For How Long Do Bed Bug Bites Stay Itchy?

Bedbugs can bite any part of your body. They, however, focus on areas that are exposed.

When a bed bug bites you, it takes between one to two weeks to heal. During this period, the spot where you have been bitten will be itchy. You will find yourself with the urge always to scratch the spot or rub something against it.

People respond differently to bed bug bites. Some feel it instantly after they’re bitten. For some others, because of the tiny amount of anesthetic that it releases before biting, they will not feel it right away. As such, if you’ve had a strong urge to itch a particular area of your body, you may have suffered a bed bug bite.

Bed bug bites will itch you for around two weeks. Depending on the sensitivity of your skin, this duration can be longer or shorter. As they itch, they can also cause a burning sensation.

The more they itch, the stronger your urge to scratch will be. And scratching may lead to bleeding, which may, in turn, make you vulnerable to infections.

“For how long do bed bug bites stay itchy?”

Asides knowing the answer to this question, you need to act on your findings.

This article has revealed to you the typical duration that a bed bug bite stays itchy. You can help yourself avoid the irritations or allergic reactions (in severe cases) during this period by using over-the-counter pain-killers. You can also apply anti-itch creams to areas where you feel itchy.

If that itch you’re feeling is staying longer than necessary, it’s advisable to see a doctor. You may be suffering from something other than a bed bug bite. CDC Bed Bug FAQ

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