Bed bugs
Bed bugs are insects that feed on blood at night and hide during the day in mattress seams, bed frames, skirting boards and furniture.
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Medicines commonly prescribed for Bed bugs
For informational purposes only. Always consult a doctor before using any medicine.
Dosage form: TABLET, 10 mgActive substance: cetirizineManufacturer: Teva Pharma S.L.U.Prescription requiredDosage form: ORAL SOLUTION/SUSPENSION DROPS, 10 mg cetirizine dihydrochloride/ mlActive substance: cetirizineManufacturer: Ucb Pharma S.A.Prescription requiredDosage form: TABLET, 10 mg/coated tabletActive substance: cetirizineManufacturer: Towa Pharmaceutical S.A.Prescription required
Bed bugs
Bed bugs are insects that feed on blood at night and hide during the day in mattress seams, bed frames, skirting boards and furniture. They do not transmit disease, and their presence has nothing to do with how clean a home is: they appear just as readily in immaculate houses, because they travel in luggage and second-hand furniture. The hard part is not treating the bites but eliminating the source.
What the bites look like
- raised red marks with a central point, which itch;
- often arranged in a line or in small clusters of three or four, following the insect's path;
- located on areas uncovered during sleep: arms, shoulders, neck, face, legs;
- they appear in the morning and can take several days to show;
- some people have no visible reaction at all, which is why an infestation goes unnoticed;
- others develop blisters and a marked reaction;
- scratching can lead to a bacterial infection.
How to know it is bed bugs
The bites alone do not make the diagnosis: they resemble flea and mosquito bites, urticaria and scabies. You need to look for evidence in the bedroom.
- dark ink-like dots on the sheets and in mattress seams — these are droppings;
- small blood smears on the sheets;
- translucent shed skins;
- the insects themselves: adults about 5 mm, flat, brown, the size of an apple pip;
- a sweetish unpleasant smell in large infestations;
- where to look: mattress seams and labels, bed frame, headboard, bedside tables, picture frames, sockets, skirting boards, behind wallpaper.
Search with a torch at night or in the early hours, when they are active.
When to see a doctor
- the bites are very inflamed or blistered;
- there is warmth, increasing swelling, pus or red streaks — bacterial infection;
- there is fever;
- there is a severe allergic reaction with extensive swelling or difficulty breathing — in that case, emergency care;
- itching is disturbing your sleep;
- you are unsure what caused the bites;
- a young child is scratching until the skin breaks;
- the insomnia and anxiety caused by the situation have become a problem in themselves — very common and entirely legitimate to raise.
Consult with a doctor about Bed bugs
Discuss your symptoms and possible next steps with a doctor online.
Treating the bites
- wash with water and mild soap;
- cool compresses for itching;
- a mild topical steroid for a few days;
- an oral antihistamine, particularly at night;
- do not scratch, and keep nails short;
- antibiotics only if infection is confirmed;
- the bites resolve on their own within one to two weeks.
Getting rid of bed bugs
This is the part that actually solves the problem, and it is worth being blunt: supermarket insecticides rarely work, and using them badly scatters the infestation into other rooms.
- engage a professional pest control company — this is what works, and it usually takes two or three treatments a few weeks apart;
- wash all bedding and textiles at 60 °C and tumble dry on high for at least 30 minutes; heat kills eggs and adults;
- put items that cannot be washed in the freezer for several days or in sealed bags for months;
- vacuum the mattress, bed frame, skirting boards and crevices thoroughly, and dispose of the bag outside immediately;
- use zipped bed bug-proof covers on the mattress and pillows and keep them on for at least a year;
- move the bed away from the wall, remove valances and do not let bedding touch the floor;
- seal cracks and gaps around skirting boards and sockets;
- do not carry infested furniture out to the stairwell unwrapped: this is the usual route of spread between neighbours;
- tell your building management or landlord: in blocks of flats they move between homes;
- do not move to another room to sleep: bed bugs follow the person, and this spreads the infestation.
Avoiding bringing them home
- in hotels, check mattress seams and the headboard before unpacking;
- do not leave luggage on the floor or the bed: use the luggage rack or the bathroom;
- on returning from a trip, wash all clothing at a high temperature, even items you did not wear;
- inspect and heat-treat second-hand furniture and books before bringing them indoors;
- do not take discarded mattresses or sofas from the street.
Common questions
Do they transmit disease? There is no evidence that they transmit infections to people.
Do they come from dirt? No. Clutter gives them more hiding places, but cleanliness alone neither prevents nor removes them.
Do they live in hair or on the skin? No. Unlike lice, they do not live on a person: they come to feed and retreat.
How long can they survive without feeding? Many months, so leaving a room empty does not eliminate them.
Why isn't my partner being bitten? Many people do not react to the bites. No marks does not mean no bites.
Online consultation
In an online consultation the doctor reviews photographs of the bites, helps distinguish them from scabies, urticaria and other reactions, advises on treating the itch, recognises signs of added infection, and explains what to look for in the bedroom to confirm the source.
This material is for information only and does not replace a medical consultation.
Medically reviewed by
Reviewed on Jul 16, 2026
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