What Do Bed Bugs Bites Look Like? Pictures of Bed Bug Bites

There are many possible culprits to blame when you wake up covered in itchy insect bites. Mosquitoes, fleas and bed bugs are known to produce small red dots of raised skin, often itchy and partially swollen.

Determining which parasitic pest is responsible for your bites can be a challenge. But as with any other endeavor, the more you know, the more power you have. Understanding what bed bugs are, what they look like, and where they live is the first step to identifying bed bug bites.

What Are Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are parasitic insects that consume the blood of warm-blooded mammals. They are typically tiny, adults averaging at about 3/16th of an inch. They are capable of reproducing quickly, and they can survive for up to seven months without food, making them a tricky pest to defeat.

They get their name from the fact that they are commonly found in bed linens, pillows, and mattresses.

Bed bugs can be difficult to see due to their size

Where Do Bed Bugs Live?

Bed bugs can live in a wide variety of locations if their home isn’t too hot or too cold. They prefer warm, dry, darkened spaces like the underside of mattresses, pillows, cushions, and couches.

Bed bugs are so small and flat, they can live in the cracks between your baseboard and your wall! They are small enough to fit onto the head of a pin.

When bed bugs emerge from their hiding spot at night, they nibble at exposed skin. Many people who wake up with bed bug bites find them across their arms, legs, shoulders, neck, or face. These are the most often uncovered areas when we sleep.

Once you’ve found evidence of bed bugs, you can begin to treat your bites safely and wisely.

What Do Bed Bugs Bites Look Like?

Bed bug bites don’t all look identical, which makes them somewhat difficult to diagnose. But typical signs and symptoms include:

• Raised red dots, often in a line or grouping
•  Itchiness around bites

Some people may experience a severe allergic reaction to bed bug bites. Symptoms of such a reaction include:

•  Hives
• Blisters

However, some individuals may have a delayed or absent response. For these individuals, there is usually very little itchiness and very little inflammation.

A medical professional will be able to verify your insect bites and consult with you for further treatment.

FAQ’s

Can bed bug bites cause an allergic reaction?

Depending on an individual, a bed bug bite may or may not cause an allergic reaction. Some people will develop mild symptoms after a bed bug bite while others may react harshly. Mild symptoms will include an itching around the bitten area and slight swelling while severe reactions include anaphylactic shock. In the case of the latter, you should consult your doctor

Do bed bugs crawl into your ears, nose, or mouth?

No, bed bugs can not crawl into your ears, nose and mouth. Bed bugs have no interest in the human body. Feeding on your blood at the skin surface is just sufficient for them. Bed bugs are typically very small but big enough to feel when they are determined to crawl in your ears, nose and mouth. Furthermore, they can’t fit into your nostrils or ear canal.

Am I in danger of contracting a disease if bitten by bed bugs?

If you are bitten by a subtype of bed bug called the “kissing bug” one is at risk of contracting Chagas disease. It is the only type of bug known to cause disease. Other bed bugs do not; however, they cause secondary infections. This happens when you itch and cause an open wound due to that. This can result in impetigo.