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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffThe redness and itch associated with bedbug bites usually goes away on their own within a week or two. You might speed your recovery by using:
- A skin cream containing hydrocortisone
- An oral antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
If you develop a skin infection from scratching bedbug bites, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic.
Treating your home
Once your symptoms are treated, you must tackle the underlying infestation. This can be difficult because bedbugs hide so well and can live for months without eating. Your best bet may be to hire a professional exterminator, who may use a combination of pesticides and nonchemical treatments.
Nonchemical treatments may include:
- Vacuuming. A thorough vacuuming of cracks and crevices can physically remove bedbugs from an area. But vacuum cleaners can't reach all hiding places.
- Hot water. Washing clothes and other items in water at least 120 F (49 C) can kill bedbugs.
- Clothes dryer. Placing wet or dry items in a clothes dryer set at medium to high heat for 20 minutes will kill bedbugs and their eggs.
- Enclosed vehicle. If it's summer, you can bag up infested items and leave them in a car parked in the sun with the windows rolled up for a day. The target temperature is at least 120 F (49 C).
- Freezing. Bedbugs are also vulnerable to temperatures below 32 F (0 C) but you'd need to leave the items outdoors or in the freezer for several days.
Some professional exterminators use portable devices to produce steam, heat or freezing temperatures to kill bedbugs. In some cases, you may have to throw out heavily infested items such as mattresses or couches.
- Goddard J, et al. Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) and clinical consequences of their bites. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2009;13:1398.
- Potter ME. Bed bugs. Cooperative Extension Service, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture. http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/entfactpdf/ef636.pdf. Accessed Oct. 20, 2009.
- DDT ban takes effect. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. http://www.epa.gov/history/topics/ddt/01.htm. Accessed Oct. 20, 2009.
- Elston DM, et al. Bedbugs. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 20, 2009.
- Kells SA, et al. Prevention and control of bed bugs in residences: Information for homeowners and tenants. University of Minnesota Extension Service. http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/housingandclothing/components/DK1022.pdf. Accessed Oct. 21, 2009.
