Serious shortage of bed bug bite remedy – as expert warns 'they are in your home'

Britain is facing a serious shortage of treatment for bedbug bites as swarms of the pests reach British shores.

Hydrocortisone cream, used to soothe itching caused by bug bites, is in short supply in pharmacies across the country.

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Medicine experts have warned that Britons may struggle to get their hands on the cream if the bedbug situation in Britain worsens.

The blood-sucking creatures have been spotted on trains and buses in several parts of Britain this week after an outbreak in France in September.

Pharmacists told the Sun that the widespread shortage of hydrocortisone cream has been going on for several months.

Sri Kanaparthy, a pharmacist based in Durham who is struggling to replenish the cream, told the Sun that all his drug suppliers are “out of stock”.

“The shortage will most likely worsen as more people need the cream,” he said.

Dr. Leyla Hannbeck, from the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, said supplies across the country were “very patchy”.

“We are not sure how many pharmacies currently stock the cream,” she added.

According to the NHS, most bedbug bites usually go away on their own within about a week.

But sometimes they can cause itching and swelling, in which case hydrocortisone cream may be helpful.

ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS

There are several effective alternatives to hydrocortisone cream that you can find at a local pharmacy, Leyla explains.

She said: “Calamine lotion or antihistamines can be used to reduce itching.

'You can also keep a cold compress on the bitten area to reduce swelling.

“Try not to scratch or itch your bite as it can become infected and leave scars.”

She added: “If the bites are painful, contact your pharmacist or GP. They may be infected and require stronger cortisone medicines or antibiotics.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care said: “We are aware of supply issues with hydrocortisone products of different strengths, but 0.5 per cent, 1 per cent and 2.5 per cent hydrocortisone ointments are available and the 2.5 per cent cream remains fully available. .

“We know how distressing drug supply issues can be, but these alternative strength creams and ointments are effective and we will continue to work with suppliers to ensure all strengths are available again as quickly as possible.”

It comes as home furnishings store Lakeland reported a 221 percent increase in bed bug treatment in the past week.

Pest control companies in London have reported being “inundated” with calls about bedbugs and warned that the spread of the blood-sucking insects has been “out of control”.

Tony King, owner of Pied Piper Pest Control, said they have been found in people's cars, offices and homes.

He told PA: “We've been inundated with calls about bedbugs – we've been busy dealing with it for the last eight or nine months,”

The expert suggested the increase was due to the opening up of international travel following the Covid pandemic.