Bed bug bites are raised, itchy spots that often appear in a line or a small cluster on skin left uncovered in bed, such as the face, neck, arms and hands. On white skin they usually look red or pink, and on black or brown skin they may look brown, red or purple and can be harder to see. Most people do not feel the bite, because bed bug saliva contains a numbing substance, and marks can take 1 to several days to appear, while some people show no reaction at all. According to the NHS, bites usually clear up on their own in a week or so, and a cool damp cloth, a mild steroid cream such as hydrocortisone and an antihistamine at night can ease itching. Bed bugs are not known to spread disease, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but scratching can lead to skin infection, a few people react strongly with painful swelling, and an infestation can seriously disrupt sleep. They are becoming more common, as Rentokil reported in August 2026 that confirmed bed bug activity in the UK rose by an average of 44% a year between 2023 and 2025. See a doctor if bites are spreading, very swollen or painful, or not settling with pharmacy treatment. At The Wellness a doctor can assess your bites by video with photos the same day from £150. Fees appear further down this page.
Reviewed by the medical team at The Wellness. Last updated 14 October 2026.
Send a doctor a photo of your bites on WhatsApp or email team@thewellnesslondon.com or call 020 3951 3429.
Key facts about bed bug bites
Bites are itchy, raised spots, often in a line or cluster on skin exposed in bed.
Marks can appear 1 to several days after the bite, and some people never react.
Bites usually clear up on their own in a week or so, according to the NHS.
Bed bugs are not known to spread disease, according to the CDC.
Spreading redness, heat, pain or pus can mean a skin infection that needs antibiotics.
Confirmed UK bed bug activity rose by an average of 44% a year between 2023 and 2025.
What do bed bug bites look like
Bed bug bites are small, raised and itchy, and they are often in a line of 3 or more or grouped together, because a bed bug may feed several times as it moves along the skin. They are usually on the face, neck, arms, hands, shoulders and legs, the areas uncovered while you sleep. Some people develop larger welts or blisters.
Because they look similar to mosquito, flea and spider bites, the pattern and the setting matter as much as the spots. New bites each morning, bites that started after a trip or a hotel stay, and nobody else in the house affected by fleas or a pet all point towards bed bugs.
How do you know you have bed bugs and not something else
Look for the bugs themselves, which are flat, reddish-brown, wingless and about 1 to 7 millimetres long. Check the seams of the mattress, the headboard, the bed frame and nearby furniture. Small spots of blood on sheets, tiny dark brown spots of droppings, pale shed skins and a musty smell are also signs.
If the itch is worst at night, is between your fingers, around your wrists or waist, and others you live with are itching too, scabies is more likely, and that needs a different treatment.
Ask a doctor whether it is bed bugs on WhatsApp or email team@thewellnesslondon.com.
How do you treat bed bug bites
Hold a clean, cool, damp cloth on the bites to ease itching and swelling. Keep the skin clean and try not to scratch. A pharmacist can recommend a mild steroid cream such as hydrocortisone, and an antihistamine if the itching is affecting your sleep. The NHS advises that children under 10 and pregnant women get advice from a doctor before using hydrocortisone cream.
Bites usually settle within about a week. Treating the bites does not get rid of the bed bugs, so new bites will keep appearing until the infestation is dealt with.
When should you see a doctor about bed bug bites
See a doctor if bites stay very painful, swollen or itchy after pharmacy treatment, or if pain, redness or swelling is spreading, as you may have an infection that needs antibiotics. Signs of infection include warmth, increasing pain, pus, yellow crusting and a high temperature.
Call 999 for difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, or feeling faint, which can be signs of a severe allergic reaction. This is very rare with bed bugs.
Speak to a doctor too if poor sleep, anxiety or constant checking of the bed is wearing you down. Bed bugs commonly cause loss of sleep, and support helps.
How do you get rid of bed bugs
The NHS advises contacting your local council or a pest control service, because it is very difficult to get rid of bed bugs yourself. Wash bedding and clothing at 60°C and tumble dry on a hot setting for at least 30 minutes. Seal items that cannot be washed in a plastic bag and put them in the freezer for 2 to 3 weeks. Vacuum regularly, reduce clutter around the bed, and check second-hand furniture and luggage before bringing them inside.
Bed bugs in many parts of the world have developed resistance to common insecticides, which is one reason shop-bought sprays so often fail and professional treatment matters.
What does a private doctor for bites cost in London
Private dermatology consultations in central London commonly sit at £250 to £400, and membership practices charge annual retainers running into thousands.
At The Wellness each appointment is a single fee, with any prescription included. The medicine itself is paid for at the pharmacy. All figures are from prices.
Signature Membership, with same-day access to a doctor all year, from £6,950 a year or £610 a month.
Home, hotel or office visit, daytime from £495 and evenings and weekends from £695.
Skin examination with dermoscopy, from £295.
In-person consultation with examination, from £220.
Same-day video consultation with photo review and prescription sent to a pharmacy near you, from £150.
Appointments are available 7 days a week by video, at our London clinics, including Marylebone and Belgravia, or at home or in your hotel.
Why people choose The Wellness for bites and rashes
Because a doctor can look at your photos by video today.
Because the doctor works out whether it is bed bugs, scabies, fleas or something else, so the treatment is right.
Because infection is recognised and treated early.
Because a doctor can come to your home or hotel, day or evening.
And because the plan covers your sleep as well as your skin.
Related reading
Bed bugs or scabies covers telling itchy rashes apart, bed bugs in a London hotel covers what to do as a visitor, online skin doctor covers photo consultations, and acne, rosacea and eczema covers other skin problems.
Book a video consultation on WhatsApp or call 020 3951 3429.
Frequently asked questions
What do bed bug bites look like
Small, raised, itchy spots, often in a line or cluster on skin uncovered in bed. On white skin they look red or pink, and on black or brown skin they may look brown, red or purple.
How long do bed bug bites last
They usually clear up on their own in a week or so, according to the NHS. New bites will appear until the bed bugs are dealt with.
Do bed bugs spread disease
No. Bed bugs are not known to spread disease to people, according to the CDC, but scratching can cause skin infection.
What is the best treatment for bed bug bites
A cool damp cloth, a mild steroid cream such as hydrocortisone and an antihistamine at night, from a pharmacist. See a doctor if bites are spreading, very swollen or infected.
When should I see a doctor for bed bug bites
If bites stay very painful, swollen or itchy after pharmacy treatment, or redness and swelling are spreading. Call 999 for any swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing.
Can a doctor diagnose bites from a photo
Often, yes. At The Wellness a doctor can review photos by video the same day from £150 and arrange an in-person examination if needed.
The Wellness is a doctor-led private healthcare group providing medical care from our London clinics, including Marylebone and Belgravia. All doctors are GMC-registered. Prescriptions are issued only following a consultation and clinical assessment. The Wellness does not provide pest control. In an emergency call 999. This article is general information and not a substitute for medical advice about your own health.
Enquire now on WhatsApp or email team@thewellnesslondon.com or call 020 3951 3429.
References
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about bed bugs
Pest Magazine, bed bug activity up 44%, Rentokil data, August 2026
Dang and colleagues, insecticide resistance and resistance mechanisms in bed bugs, Parasites and Vectors, 2017
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