Bedbugs

Bedbugs can be dark yellow, red or brown. Adults are around 5mm long. Credit: Jeff March / Alamy Stock Photo https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-common-adult-bedbug-bed-bug-cimex-lectularius-on-end-of-cotton-swab-29728437.html?pv=1&stamp=2&imageid=ADBD1DCD-A904-46BA-9689-0574F458EB3D&p=39747&n=0&orientation=0&pn=1&searchtype=0&IsFromSearch=1&srch=foo%3dbar%26st%3d0%26pn%3d1%26ps%3d100%26sortby%3d2%26resultview%3dsortbyPopular%26npgs%3d0%26qt%3dBMA6WW%26qt_raw%3dBMA6WW%26lic%3d3%26mr%3d0%26pr%3d0%26ot%3d0%26creative%3d%26ag%3d0%26hc%3d0%26pc%3d%26blackwhite%3d%26cutout%3d%26tbar%3d1%26et%3d0x000000000000000000000%26vp%3d0%26loc%3d0%26imgt%3d0%26dtfr%3d%26dtto%3d%26size%3d0xFF%26archive%3d1%26groupid%3d%26pseudoid%3d32846%26a%3d%26cdid%3d%26cdsrt%3d%26name%3d%26qn%3d%26apalib%3d%26apalic%3d%26lightbox%3d%26gname%3d%26gtype%3d%26xstx%3d0%26simid%3d%26saveQry%3d%26editorial%3d1%26nu%3d%26t%3d%26edoptin%3d%26customgeoip%3d%26cap%3d1%26cbstore%3d1%26vd%3d0%26lb%3d%26fi%3d2%26edrf%3d1%26ispremium%3d1%26flip%3d0%26pl%3d Bedbugs can hide in many places, including on bed frames, mattresses, clothing, furniture, behind pictures and under loose wallpaper. Signs of bedbugs include: bites – often on skin exposed while sleeping, like the face, neck and arms spots of blood on your bedding – from the bites or from squashing a bedbug small brown spots on bedding or furniture (bedbug poo) Bedbug bites can be raised and itchy. They're often in a line or grouped together. Some people have a reaction to the bites. They can be very itchy and there may be painful swelling. A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) is also possible but rare. On white skin, bedbug bites usually look red or pink. Credit: Otto Pleska / Alamy Stock Photo https://www.alamy.com/bites-of-insect-on-male-body-bed-bugs-or-flea-image188883911.html?pv=1&stamp=2&imageid=6D6557DB-9F90-49E4-A4CE-668DCA245C3F&p=549478&n=0&orientation=0&pn=1&searchtype=0&IsFromSearch=1&srch=foo%3dbar%26st%3d0%26pn%3d1%26ps%3d100%26sortby%3d2%26resultview%3dsortbyPopular%26npgs%3d0%26qt%3dMY8B9Y%26qt_raw%3dMY8B9Y%26lic%3d3%26mr%3d0%26pr%3d0%26ot%3d0%26creative%3d%26ag%3d0%26hc%3d0%26pc%3d%26blackwhite%3d%26cutout%3d%26tbar%3d1%26et%3d0x000000000000000000000%26vp%3d0%26loc%3d0%26imgt%3d0%26dtfr%3d%26dtto%3d%26size%3d0xFF%26archive%3d1%26groupid%3d%26pseudoid%3d32846%26a%3d%26cdid%3d%26cdsrt%3d%26name%3d%26qn%3d%26apalib%3d%26apalic%3d%26lightbox%3d%26gname%3d%26gtype%3d%26xstx%3d0%26simid%3d%26saveQry%3d%26editorial%3d1%26nu%3d%26t%3d%26edoptin%3d%26customgeoip%3d%26cap%3d1%26cbstore%3d1%26vd%3d0%26lb%3d%26fi%3d2%26edrf%3d1%26ispremium%3d1%26flip%3d0%26pl%3d On black or brown skin, bedbug bites may look brown, red or purple and may be harder to see. Credit: Dr John Obermeyer/Purdue University: https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/4h/default.php?page=snr8&stage=damage

Bedbug bites usually clear up on their own in a week or so. Things you can do include: putting something cool, like a clean, damp cloth, on the affected area to help with the itching and any swelling keeping the affected area clean not scratching the bites to avoid getting an infection A pharmacist can help with bedbug bites You can ask a pharmacist about: mild steroid cream like hydrocortisone cream to ease bedbug bites (children under 10 and pregnant women should get advice from a doctor before using hydrocortisone cream) antihistamines – these may help if the bites are very itchy and you're unable to sleep Find a pharmacy

If you think you have bedbugs, you should contact your local council or pest control service. It's very difficult to get rid of bedbugs yourself because they can be hard to find and may be resistant to some insecticides. There are some things you can try yourself, but these are unlikely to get rid of bedbugs completely. Do wash affected bedding and clothing on a hot wash (60C) and tumble dry on a hot setting for at least 30 minutes put items that cannot be washed in a plastic bag and into the freezer for 2 to 3 weeks clean and vacuum regularly – bedbugs are found in both clean and dirty places, but regular cleaning will help you spot them early Don't do not keep clutter around your bed do not bring secondhand furniture indoors without carefully checking it first do not take luggage or clothing indoors without checking it carefully if you have come from somewhere where you know there were bedbugs