The first important step: figure out if your bites were in fact from a bedbug. Most look like hives: a red lesion with a white center, says Bruce Robinson, a clinical instructor of dermatology at Lenox Hill hospital in New York City. In many cases, the bites will show up three in a row—“breakfast, lunch and dinner,” as Robinson puts it. But there’s no one way to know for sure. Robinson recommends seeing a dermatologist asap, to get the bites properly identified—and fast. “This can prevent others in your household from getting the same bites and lead to a faster extermination of the bedbugs,” he says. “Also, your dermatologist might prescribe topical steroid creams to help with the bites’ constant itching, preventing the risk of a secondary infection.” If you can’t get to a derm right away and you need immediate relief, here are a few ways to care for your bites, depending on how much discomfort you’re in: Minor discomfort: Apply ice to the welts, 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off for as long as necessary. Robinson also recommends using a topical steroid cream (prescription versions tend to be better than over-the-counter ones, if you can get one) to soothe the itch. Moderate itching, irritation, and trouble sleeping: Continue to apply ice. Take an antihistamine to lower inflammation and itchiness. For daytime consider non-drowsy antihistamines like Allegra, and sedating ones like Benadryl for at night. Severe inflammation, swelling, and insomnia: Ask your doctor about getting a cortisone shot for rapid relief. Patients with extremely serious reactions might be offered oral steroids, but that’s uncommon, Robinson says. More from Prevention: 6 DIY Remedies For Irritated Skin
