How to Use Alcohol to Soothe Bed Bug Bites

Bed bugs can affect any home or hotel.

Bed bugs are pesky little insects that can invade your home and live around where you sleep. Signs of bed bug infestation include round and red bite marks that often come in lines. Check your mattress and box spring, especially around the seams for red spots, bed bugs or bed bug husks. Bed bugs are small, but they are visible to the naked eye. The bites are painful but present very little risk, except infection due to scratching.

Things You'll Need

• Rubbing alcohol
• Soap

Instructions

1. Check your body all over for bed bug bites. They usually occur on the arms, legs and feet. They will be red, resembling mosquito bites and almost come in groups.

2. Wash the bites and surrounding areas with soap and water.

3. Dab your bites with rubbing alcohol to soothe the irritation and swelling. Rubbing alcohol also prevents infection. If you have bites around your lips, eyes or nostrils, do not use rubbing alcohol.

4. Contact a pest control service to eliminate the bed bugs to prevent future bites. If bites and pain get worse or become infected, seek medical attention.

Tips & Warnings

• Rubbing alcohol will help reduce itching, but it won't fix the problem. Contact a pest control service to eliminate bed bugs.

References

• Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research: Bed Bug Fact Sheet
• Best Bed Bugs Treatment: Applying Alcohol on Bed Bug Rash Reduces Itching