Adult bed bug spotted on skin of persons arm biting and taking a blood feed that can result in an a bed bug rash developing if the person is allergic to the bite

Bed Bug Bites

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Bed Bug Bites

A bed bug is a small parasitic insect that feeds on human blood.  Their bite can cause skin reactions including rashes, possible psychological effects and most commonly an allergic reaction.  Bedbugs are nocturnal and you tend to find their bites on exposed areas of skin such as arms, legs, face or the neck.

Bed bugs have a unique feeding system all contained within their mouth, known as the rostrum. The mouth is comprised of mandibles and maxillae. All the parts help the insect pierce through the skin and into a blood vessel.

The mandibles form a tube that allows them to ingest blood, but the blood pressure of the victim pumps it right into their bodies. The rostrum also injects two chemicals - an anesthetic and an anti-coagulant. The first ensures you don't feel it when you get bitten and the second ensures that your blood doesn't clot.  This also allows them to feed uninterrupted for up to 10 minutes, when they become engorged and then crawl away.

This is why the bites don't usually wake you up and you only notice the next morning. It is the chemicals injected into the bite that cause the reaction and, just like with insect stings, how people react to the bed bug bite varies.

Bedbug bites on the exposed areas of a persons neck has generated an allergic bed bug rash on their skin

How to tell if a bite is from a bed bug?

The appearance of bed bug bites can differ between people, but the most common signs are;
  • Raised red bumps in a cluster or line, zig zag or random pattern on the skin.
  • Pimple-like bump can occur with a dark red centre.
  • Skin tone around the bite, can sometimes appear lighter than normal
  • Round bump containing a small clear blister of fluid.

Some individuals may not develop the bites for several days, and this can be after the time they have left the infestation site. This can be when bites can be mistaken for mosquito bites, and flea bites. You should look at the overall pattern of the bites and look for secondary identifies to confirm they are bed bugs.

Secondary identifiers include;

  • Dark matter on sheets and surround bed frames - this could indicate bed bug faeces
  • Casts or shells of their skin
  • Small blood marks on the sheets.

We recommend looking around the mattress area, box springs, bed frame and head boards for more bedbug infestation signs.  

Where do bed bugs bite the most?

Bed bug bites will be found on any areas of the skin, usually skin that is exposed at night, but can include:

  • Neck
  • Face
  • Hands
  • Arms
  • Legs
  • Torso
Example of bed bug bites from bedbug on skin close-up

Can I get diseases from being bitten by a bedbug?

No, bed bugs have not been shown to transmit any disease.And although you may not even feel yourself getting bitten by the bed bugs, the itchiness, reaction and painful skin rash that can come afterwards as a secondary infection can be annoying. 

Symptoms of Bed Bug Bites

Some individuals develop itching around the affected area, red welts or swelling the morning after being bitten, but for some, theey do not react to the bite of a bed bug and they wilkl remain unaware of their bed time friends.  However, sometimes it can take days for the bites to appear.

Our bodies can react very differently to the bed bug bites.  Some people have no reaction at all, whilst others can have minor swelling and itching and even develop a rash.  When you are bitten by a bed bug, symptoms may include;

  • Irritation at the site of the bite
  • Small raised areas of redness
  • Sometimes these can turn into blisters
  • Raised itchy bumps with a clear centre
  • Red bumps could be surrounded by blisters or hives
  • There could be a pattern of bite marks as they have made their way across your skin

Home Remedies for Bed Bug Bites

Home Remedies can be used in addition to other treatments to alleviate the symptoms of bedbug bites.

  • Cold flannel or ice pack wrapped in a towel on the affected area
  • Essential oils, such as Basil (gentle anti-inflammatory), Chamomile (soothing qualities) and Lavender (anti-inflammatory) may help to ease symptoms.

These remedies can help to reduce the itching and inflammation, and it is important to keep the area clean without scratching the bites to ensure you do not get a skin infection.

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