Ointments for the treatment of bedbug bites

Waking up in the morning in a cozy cottage near the river and the forest during a well-deserved vacation, which mother would not be horrified to see whole tracks of huge red spots on the body of her child? After the first shock, it will become clear that these are not mosquito bites, which would be located chaotically through the body, but the bites of the most real bed bugs (living in the old sofa, which the economical owners of the pretty house did not dare to throw away).

It’s not surprising that the next questions will be “What should be done?” And “What do bed bugs do to smear at all?” Now let's talk about this in more detail ...

 

Ointment, gel or cream - what to choose?

In order to get rid of the unpleasant effects of bedbugs bites, the affected place can be smeared not only with an ointment for bedbugs bites, but also with a special cream or gel.

If you don’t go too deeply into the topic of the differences between these forms of drugs, then in general both gel, cream and ointment consist of a base and an active substance dissolved in it in one or another proportion.

• Actually, the ointment is such a medicinal form of the drug, when small particles of the active substance do not dissolve completely at the base (most often, fat). Ointments are convenient for the introduction into their composition of substances that interact well with fats. In addition, ointments are absorbed more slowly than gels or creams, so they usually have a longer lasting effect on damaged skin.
• Creams are basically different from the actual ointment lower fat content. However, like ointment, they can leave greasy marks on clothes.
• In gels, unlike ointments, the active substance is well dissolved in the base (most often, water), which is convenient for the introduction of hydrophilic substances into the composition. Due to the fact that the gel is used not fat, but a water base, it can also be easily washed off the skin or washed from the clothes.

Accordingly, if the skin itself is dry, or after the bites of the bugs have already started to form a crust, then the best solution would be to use an ointment or cream.If the skin is normal, it does not peel off yet, and there are only slight reddening on it, you can use the gel.In addition, the gel has a drying effect, so it can be applied to weeping wounds.

At the same time, when choosing a remedy for bedbug bites, it is imperative to pay attention to its composition and indications for use.

Feedback

My son is now a year old. Since birth, we suffer from allergies to mosquito bites. And recently, after a trip to friends to the cottage, I learned that he also had a terrible allergy to bedbug bites. Bite sites are severely inflamed, reddened and swollen. Then a crust appeared on this place, which he tried to constantly tear off. Although I did not allow him to scratch these crusts, but after that trip, the traces remained visible for several months.

Julia, Tyumen

 

Popular insect bites

Since bugs are blood-sucking parasites, like mosquitoes and fleas, popular remedies can be used as an ointment for bedbugs, eliminating the effects of insect bites in general.

The most popular and effective means are described below.

 

Fenistil gel

Gel Fenistil is well known for its antipruritic action.The active substance in it is dimetindena maleate (probably many will remember this name as part of some vasoconstrictor preparations for the nose), which is aimed at blocking histamine H1 receptors. It is these receptors that are responsible for the occurrence of painful and itchy pustules, as well as inflammation in places of bedbug bites.

Apply this tool to treat the effects of bites of various insects, allergies in the form of urticaria, tissue swelling and itching. In addition, Fenistil gel removes well the skin manifestations of food or drug allergies. However, the instructions for the drug indicated that its use is not recommended for children under one year old.

 

Psilo-Balsam (gel)

Psilo-balm contains a powerful component called diphenhydramine (better known as diphenhydramine), which, as in the previous case, is aimed at blocking the H1-histamine receptors. Due to this tool well reduces the permeability of small blood vessels and reduces tissue swelling in the bite. In addition, the drug has a marked antipruritic and cooling effect.

Just when you need to anoint something with a bug, to numb it and stop the itching,This remedy is especially good. It also dries crusts well, which are formed after bedbug bites.

 

Elidel (cream)

Elidel cream is not used to eliminate the first symptoms of insect bites, but only when there are strong manifestations of allergy such as atopic dermatitis or eczema. It can be prescribed in whole courses both for adults and children, starting from three months of age.

The active ingredient of the product is pimecrolimus, which has not only regenerating, but also local anti-inflammatory action. It is not recommended to apply Elidel on the skin of children under three months, as well as in cases where there is a suspicion that a bacterial or fungal infection is already developing in the wound.

 

Bepanten (ointment and cream)

Of course, this drug can not be called specifically antipruritic or anti-inflammatory agent. However, due to the active substance - dexpanthenol (another name for one of the B group vitamins), it has a good regenerating, healing and moisturizing effect on the damaged skin bugs.

In addition, unlike some of the above funds, it can be used even for newborn babies.Bepantin ointment is generally used for the prevention and treatment of diaper rash, other inflammations and dermatitis in infants.

It can also be used as a cream for the bites of bedbugs, which caused a moderate skin reaction (redness, slight swelling), for cuts, scratches and other minor skin inflammations.

It is important to know

To eliminate the effects of bedbug bites on the basis of propolis should be used with caution. Thus, children who are already allergic to pollen may experience a cross-reaction to products such as wax, royal jelly or propolis. These substances can lead to a new allergy due to plant components such as pollen or nectar.

In more complicated cases, we advise you to consult a doctor who may prescribe an ointment from bedbug bites, containing hormones (hydrocortisone ointment, ointment and cream Advantan or Afloderm), which have anti-inflammatory, antipruritic and general anti-allergic effect. They are used as in atopic dermatitis of different origin, and in the event of strong allergic reactions to insect bites.

Apply these ointments (based on hormonal agents) should be with extreme caution, because they can often be contraindicated in cases of purulent inflammation of the skin. Their use is also not recommended for children under one year old and during pregnancy.

In cases of severe swelling and itching after bedbug bites, as well as the presence of ulcers, pustular skin diseases, the doctor may sometimes prescribe an antibiotic ointment (for example, erythromycin ointment) that will actively fight an infection that has fallen into wounds.

However, it is worth remembering that by independently assigning various medications to yourself and your young child (even, at first glance, such harmless ones as ointments and creams), you assume certain responsibilities. After all, self-medication is sometimes fraught with serious consequences.

 

What if the ointment does not help?

Unfortunately, ointments and creams for bedbugs bites can often cope only with local allergies such as slight swelling, mild itching and redness of the bite site.

In the case of a more pronounced reaction to substances in the bug saliva, you should consult a doctor or take an antihistamine (for example,based on loratadine or cetirizine). Definitely need a doctor if there is a place

• severe swelling;
• copious rash on various parts of the body;
• blisters on the site of the bug bite;
• unbearable itching;
• increased temperature at the site of the bite, chills and fever;
• nausea.

Usually, such a reaction can be caused by bites of bees or wasps, which inject poison at the site of the bite. However, if the person is already suffering allergies, even a bite of an insect such as a bedbug, can cause a strong reaction in the form of pain, burning and swelling of tissues that do not pass within a few days.

Feedback:

“I managed to go to a boarding house in Crimea to rest, and they also took the child. Attracted us too sweet for the summer season price. After the first night of the child was not to know! The legs and back were covered with red bumps following one another. Bite swollen and began to itch. It turned out that there are bedbugs in the house, although I could not even think that they still exist today. ”

Lika, Kiev

 

When do you need to go to the hospital after bedbug bites?

If, after the bites of bedbugs, a stormy general reaction of the body begins in the form of an increase in the temperature of the whole body, difficulty breathing,fall or increase in pressure, swelling in the joint or the entire limb located near the site of the bite, a visit to the doctor cannot be postponed, and even better to call an ambulance. Inactivity can lead to a sharp drop in blood pressure and even loss of consciousness!

If you listen to the advice of experienced doctors, then in the first-aid kit there should always be a vial of dexamethasone, all the more so when the child’s or its immediate family’s reactions to the bites of any insects were already severely affected.

 

Useful video about the methods of destruction of bedbugs in the apartment

 

Allergy to insect bites: what to do?