Got a red, itchy rash with bumps or welts on your skin? Did you discover it when you got up this morning? If the answer to these questions is yes then it is highly possible that you have bed bugs and the rash is due to bed bug bites!

Bed bugs belong to the bug family known as Cimicidaes which are characterised by their reddish brown color, the female bugs are slightly longer than the males. They will quite happily feed on the blood of mammals and birds. The female bugs will hunt out any cracks or crevices in walls, flooring, bed frames, furniture etc. to lay her fertilized eggs which hatch usually within 4-5 days. An infestation, as you will appreciate can escalate very quickly.

Over the last few years the instances of individuals suffering bed bug bites has increased on a huge scale with the numbers still growing. The cause? It is the simple fact that the bed bugs are now largely resistant to many of the insecticides traditionally used to exterminate them. One of the better know insecticides which falls into this category is Pyrethroid. It is thought that the vast majority of bed bugs in the USA are now tolerant to this chemical.

Diagnosing bed bug bites is not always straight forward as they can often be mistaken for bites from other insects or some types of skin condition. When a bed bug bites it releases an anaesthetic and it is this which causes an allergic reaction in some people. The reaction manifests itself in the form of red bumps or flat welts on the skin which can cause untold misery because of the incessant itching which can also be accompanied by a burning sensation. Fortunately in most instances medical treatment is not required. Then, there are the lucky individuals who suffer no reaction to bed bug bites at all - this is thought to be true for around half the population. Of course this creates problems too, the infestation will be more established before it is noticed and eradicated meaning that it is very likely that the bed bugs will have hitched a lift in clothing, luggage etc. and begun to multiply in other locations.

There are a few different factors that seem to determine how individuals react to bed bug bites namely the type of bug, the individuals skin type and the environment. However for anyone who discovers that they have bed bugs there are a few symptoms common to all - stress, anxiety and in some cases insomnia. The last of these insomnia can strike as the victim finds themselves unable to sleep for fear of the bed bugs striking as they sleep because of course they are nocturnal. The bugs can detect their food source by the victims body heat, the CO2 they breath out and the scent of human sweat.

The symptoms of bed bug bites can be eased in a number of ways:

1. Topical corticosteroids - Hydrocortisone is probably the best known of these. These will relieve the itching and help heal the welts or bumps a little.

2. Systemic Corticosteroids - These will help with the burning and itching caused by the bed bug bites but will do nothing to calm the appearance of the rash.

3. Antihistamines - taking oral antihistamines will give relief from the itching but not much else.

4. Heat - one remedy which does not involve creams or oral medication but which appears to be effective is the application of heat to the area affected. This can either be done by using hot flannels or blowing hot air using a blow dryer. Another effective method uses hot water. Great care must be taken however as the temperature has be at approximately 50 degrees Celsius and there is a real risk of scalding.

These are a few of the treatment options to ease the symptoms of bed bug bites but there really is only one cure - ERADICATE THE BED BUGS. This can be done with the use of a vacuum cleaner, a steam cleaner and a non toxic bed bug spray like Bed Bug Bully.