A bedbug is a small (about the size of an apple seed), flat, reddish-brown bug that can be found in homes all over the world. It hides during the day and comes out during the night to look for blood. A bedbug has a special ingredient in its saliva (spit) that keeps blood from clotting while it's eating.
If a person gets bitten by a bedbug, the bite will feel itchy. Bedbug bites look like little red bumps (similar to mosquito bites) and they can sometimes happen in a line on the body.
If you think you've been bitten by a bedbug, wash the bites with soap and water. To help with the itching, put some calamine lotion or a cold compress (like ice wrapped in a clean towel) on the area. Or an adult can find an anti-itch cream or medicine at the drugstore for you. Try not to scratch the bites too much because this can make them become infected.
If you get an infection from scratching bedbug bites, a doctor will need to prescribe medicine to clear up the infection.
The best way to avoid getting bitten by bedbugs is to keep your room uncluttered so bedbugs won't have places to hide. It's also important to change your sheets once a week and vacuum the floor regularly. If you think you have bedbugs, ask an adult about the best way to get rid of them.
Reviewed by: Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph, MD
Date Reviewed: Jul 1, 2021
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