Bites and Rashes from Bed Bugs - The Ultimate Guide
”Good night, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite.”
Traditional saying
What do bed bug bites look like?
Reactions to bed bug bites vary greatly from person to person. Some barely develop visible marks, while others may get raised red rashes or even significant swelling or blisters. The bites are typically 2–5 mm in diameter but can occasionally be up to 2 cm. Bed bug bites are often grouped or aligned in rows on the arms, legs, or along blood vessels, typically where your body has rested against the mattress. They rarely crawl up and around the body.
Below are some photos showing how bites may appear:
Bed bug bites on different parts of the body
How can I tell if bed bugs bit me?
Unfortunately, it’s difficult to distinguish bed bug bites from other insect bites. Mosquitoes, spiders, chiggers, or lice bites can cause similar reactions and appearances.
How soon will I notice the bites?
The time it takes to notice bites varies from person to person. It can take several days, even over a week (sometimes up to two weeks), before signs of bites appear.
The peak feeding period is about an hour before sunrise. The bug pierces the skin of its host with two hollow tubes. With one tube it injects its saliva, which contains anticoagulants and anesthetics, while with the other it withdraws the blood of its host. The feeding lasts about five minutes, then the bug returns to its hiding place. The bites cannot usually be felt until some minutes or hours later, as a dermatological reaction to the injected agents, and the first indication of a bite usually comes from the desire to scratch the bite site.
Because bed bug bites are painless, you won’t immediately feel or notice them unless you see or feel bed bugs crawling on your skin (yikes!).
If you’re traveling, it might mean you’ve been bitten somewhere entirely different from where you discover the bites.
Are bed bug bites dangerous?
Bed bug bites are generally not dangerous. They may cause irritation and itchiness, but the redness and itching usually subside within 3–7 days. In some cases, marks can linger for up to two weeks, especially for those with sensitive skin or who scratch excessively.
If you have an allergic reaction to the bites, you may experience more severe or prolonged symptoms, sometimes lasting several weeks. There have been a few rare cases of anaphylaxis, but this is extremely uncommon.
The risk of disease transmission to humans is minimal, although studies have shown that bed bugs can carry various pathogens, such as Chagas disease, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and some other pathogens. Studies have also indicated that HIV and Hepatitis B viruses can survive inside bed bugs for a few days.
Even though the health risks are minimal, it’s best to avoid being bitten.
The greatest “danger” from bed bugs is perhaps the stress, anxiety, and sleep problems they can cause, which can significantly impact your well-being. The sensation of crawling and biting may be hard to forget, even after a successful extermination.
How should I treat bed bug bites?
- Keep the bites clean by washing with soap and water.
- Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling and itching.
- Use over-the-counter antihistamines or anti-itch creams.
- Avoid scratching the bites to reduce the risk of infection.
In severe cases, excessive scratching can cause infections requiring antibiotics.
If the bites do not fade after two weeks, become very swollen, or show signs of infection (pus formation, fever, or severe redness), you should contact a doctor.
Can my pets get bed bug bites?
Bed bugs don’t like hair, so it’s uncommon for furry pets to be affected. However, there have been cases where both dogs and cats were bitten. Birds, such as chickens, can also be affected, sometimes leading to reduced egg production.