On this page, we’ll go over the best products and methods to get you fast relief from the itching.
Stopping the itch is good for your mind and health. The most common physical ailment caused by bed bugs is an infection of an area that has been scratched raw. These products will help you avoid that.
You should be able to find most of them at your local pharmacy.
For more on bed bug bites, see our resources on diagnosing bed bug bites. For pictures of bites, see the gallery of pictures of bed bug bites on real people. We also discuss how to stop bites during an infestation so you can get a good night’s rest.
For more on bed bug bites, see our resources on diagnosing bed bug bites, the gallery of pictures of bed bug bites on real people, and our guide to stopping bites during an infestation.
Pharmacy Solutions for Bed Bug Bites
 |  |  |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caladryl Calamine Lotion | Sarna Anti-Itch Lotion | Benedryl | Advil | Hydrocortisone | |
| Fixes | Anti-Itching | Anti-Itching | Anti-Inflammation | Anti-Pain & Inflammation | Anti-Itch & Inflammation |
| Active Ingredient | Camphor | Pramoxine Hydrochloride | Diphenhydramine | Ibuprofen | Hydrocortisone |
| Relative Cost | $ | $$ | $ | $$ | $ |
| Current Price | View | View | View | View | View |
Anti-Itch
- Calamine Lotion: A drying agent that stops inflammation of rashes and protects the skin. Eases symptoms of itchiness and pain
Anti-Inflammation
- Antihistamine Tablets: Take as prescribed to control allergic reactions like rashes and swelling.
- Topical Antihistamine: Apply directly on bitten areas to relieve inflammation.
- Advil: Contains ingredients that fight inflammation, more so than most other pain relievers.
Anti-Itch And Anti-Inflammation
- Over-the-counter analgesics containing pramoxine and/or diphendrydramine: Typically topical products. They relieve pain and itching at the same time. Pramoxine is especially great at stopping itchiness.
- Mild over-the-counter steroidal creams containing hydrocortisone: Control swelling, itchiness, and redness.
Pain Relief
- Generic pain relievers that include acetaminophen can help if you are experiencing pain
Home Remedies for Bed Bug Bites
Homemade itch and inflammation fixes have existed forever. They seem to work for most people.
You likely have the ingredients for several solutions sitting around already.
Leave a comment below if you have any suggestions to add to the lists.
Anti-Itch
How To Make Baking Soda Paste
- Slowly add water to baking soda, creating a thick paste
- Cover the itchy rashed area with the paste
- Allow the paste to dry for at least 15 minutes
- Rinse off with warm water
Astringent products: Dab one of these products onto the bitten area and let them dry to ease itching.
Anti-Inflammation
- Diluted Tea Tree Oil: Tea tree oil has mild antiseptic properties that help reduce chances of infection.
- Aloe Vera Gel: Aloe helps reduces inflammation thanks to natural antibiotic properties.
- White Vinegar: White vinegar reduces inflammation thanks to natural antibiotic properties.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar reduces inflammation thanks to natural antibiotic properties.
- Aspirin Paste: Aspirin paste reduces inflammation and protects the skin from itching. Here’s how to make one.
How To Make Aspirin Paste
- Crush Aspirin. A mortar and pestle works well
- Slowly add water to Aspirin, creating a thick paste
- Cover the bitten/itchy area with the paste
- Allow the paste to dry for at least 15 minutes
- Secure the paste using a band-aid.
Anti-Itch And Anti-Inflammation
Heat Treatment Options
- Hot baths
- Heat pads
- Warm damp cloths/towels
- Water pouches filled with warm water
- Warm soapy water lathered onto bitten areas and left to dry will relieve itching
- Lather with antibacterial soap for even better results
Different Reactions to Bites
Severe Reactions
Non-Reactivity
“They only want to bite me,” is a common thing to hear in stories of couples dealing with bed bugs.
If one person is showing symptoms of bed bug bites, both of you are definitely getting bitten.
While you might consider yourself a part of the unlucky 70%, being itchy can be useful.
How else would you know to start looking for bed bugs? Without itchiness, bed bugs wouldn’t be on anyone’s mind until infestations become obvious.
Prevention can be as easy as using interceptors and encasements.
Being itchy and catching an infestation early is the best-case scenario. That is, after not getting bed bugs in the first place.
Preventing bed bugs is easy and can save you money and headache. Knowing the causes of bed bugs will help you avoid them in your day-to-day life.
You’re bound to get bitten a few times. Having the knowledge and products to deal with itching will make things easier.
You can always start prevention today. It’s never a bad idea – prevention is much cheaper and easier than treatment.
Check out the page dedicated to bed bug bites for everything there is to know about them.
References
https://debedbug.com/references/
Chris Ashby
Great read! I’ll keep those products in mind and see to it I have enough supplies at home. thanks
Matthew
Thanks for the comment Chris,
It’s always good to be prepared, but here’s hoping you never need them!
Best,
Matthew