Pictures of Bed Bug Bites

Bed Bug Bites on Stomach. Bites are typically 2mm to 5mm. Bites are referred to as erythematous ( redness of the skin or mucous membranes due to the accumulation of blood in dilated capillaries) or maculopapular (flat, reddened area of skin present in a rash) lesions.

Bed bug bites: What you need to know

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Most people who are bitten by bed bugs experience symptoms that include irritation, sores, or itchiness. But how should bed bug bites be treated and can they be prevented?

There are several ways of reducing the chances of getting bites, while the treatment options include good hygiene and antihistamines.

This article explores bed bug bite treatment and prevention methods in detail.

Americans see their primary care doctors less often than they did a decade ago. Adults under 65 made nearly 25% fewer visits to primary care providers in 2016 than they did in 2018, according to National Public Radio. In the same time period, the number of adults who went at least a year without visiting a primary care provider increased from 38% to 46%.

Bed bugs are small parasitic insects that feed on human blood.

While they are a public health concern, bed bugs are not known to transmit disease through their bites.

Bed bugs use a small tube-like structure called a proboscis to pierce the skin and drink a person’s blood. The pests are most active when humans are asleep, during the night and early morning.

An estimated one in five Americans have personally dealt with a bed bug infestation or knows someone who has encountered the pests.

Share on Pinterest The bed bug bites may form a line or be in a zigzag pattern.

Bed bugs can bite anywhere on the body where there is skin. Typically, bites tend to occur on areas exposed during sleeping, such as:

Many people do not feel the bite itself or develop clear symptoms other than the dots where the bug bit and some minor, surrounding inflammation and irritation. Others are considered hypersensitive to bites and develop more severe symptoms.

In most cases symptoms occur more or less immediately after the bite, but they can develop or progress over the following days as well. Without further irritation, symptoms typically resolve after a week or so.

Almost all bed bug bites will produce some degree of discomfort, typically itchiness and inflammation. Other signs and symptoms of bed bug bites include:

• a burning painful sensation
• a raised itchy bump with a clear center
• a red itchy bump with a dark center and lighter swollen surrounding area
• small red bumps or welts in a zigzag pattern or a line
• small red bumps surrounded by blisters or hives
• papular eruptions or areas of skin with raised or flat patches that may be inflamed
• small spots of blood from bites often dried or stained onto sheets or bed clothing
• reddish or reddish-brown dried stains on fabrics due to bed bug droppings
• white or clear skins, shed by the nymphs as they mature

Individual characteristics of the bug’s bite and the person who is bitten also influence the resulting sore.

While fairly rare, some people have or develop severe reactions and symptoms from bed bug bites. Serious symptoms that require medical attention include:

• difficulty breathing
• blisters
• fever
• feeling nauseous or flu-like
• swollen tongue
• irregular heartbeat

Living with bed bugs can cause additional health complications:

• Increased likelihood of infection: Due to the skin’s surface being compromised.
• Sleep deprivation: The idea of being fed on can be extremely stressful. Given that the bugs only feed at night, some people will avoid sleep or will only get fitful or restless sleep.
• Decreased wellbeing: A continual lack of sleep has been linked to feelings of depression, anxiety, general fatigue, and lowered immune function. The misconceptions surrounding bed bugs, especially the mistaken association with lack of cleanliness, can add to feelings of depression and low self-esteem.

Share on Pinterest Bed bug bites should heal on their own, but may be itchy and swollen in the meantime.
Image credit: James Heilman MD, 2013

There are relatively few treatments options when it comes to uncomplicated bed bug bites.

The first recommended line of treatment involves cleaning the wound, ideally with soap and water.

For itchy bites, the following may relieve minor symptoms:

• over-the-counter hydrocortisone, which can be purchased online.
• anti-itch creams
• antihistamines

Most wounds heal on their own within a week, sometimes two.

If severe swelling, inflammation, or itchiness occurs or persists, a person should seek medical attention.

A dramatic immune response may be a sign of an allergic reaction. If this is the case, one of the following may need to be administered:

• an injectable corticosteroid
• antihistamine
• epinephrine medication

If infection occurs, antibiotics may be prescribed.

Severe itchiness may result in further complications, such as infection or scarring. If severe itching is experienced, people may be prescribed corticosteroid creams and antihistamine pills or liquid.

Share on Pinterest Older bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed and are brown in color.

One way to help prevent exposure and potential infestations by bed bugs is to be able to recognize bed bugs and distinguish them from other pests.

In a 2017 study, some 35 percent of polled American business travellers and 28 percent of leisure travellers were unable to tell a bed bug apart from other household pests.

Common characteristics of nymphs (young bed bugs) include:

• being less than than 5 mm in length
• whitish-yellow and or clear-colored
• invisible without a microscope or magnifying glass

The nymphs are easier to see if they have just feed when the blood fills their abdomen, giving it a reddish brown color.

Adult bed bugs are typically far easier to spot than nymphs. Identifiable characteristics of most adult bed bugs include:

• an oval-shaped body
• apple seed in size
• a body that is fairly flat unless recently fed and inflated
• reddish-brown to light-brown or tan color of shell, depending on how recently it fed
• a length of 5-7 millimeters (mm)
• three segments, an antenna with four parts, short yellow hairs, and unusable wings
• a musty or stale-sweet scent released by glands on the underbelly

Controlling bed bugs needs the identification and complete removal or destruction of the pest’s eggs.

On average, one female can produce at least 345 eggs over her lifetime. Egg-laying females often increase the volume and frequency of feeding to support their brood.

Common characteristics and signs of bed bug eggs include:

• they are often laid in the same places where the female choses to rest
• they resemble tiny barrel-shaped, pearl-colored specks, no bigger than the head of a pin
• they develop a noticeable eye spot after a few days

The key to preventing bed bug bites is to stop the insects entering, feeding, and breeding in human environments.

In the daytime, bed bugs often seek refuge in the cracks and crevices of furniture, flooring, walls, and mattresses.

The seams and folds of upholstered furniture can also offer an ideal hiding place. Bed bugs have been known to persist in vacuum canisters or units.

The insects tend to pick hiding spots near human sleeping quarters, including bedrooms. Bed bugs found in other rooms are usually a sign of a severe infestation.

Areas where bed bug infestations commonly occur include:

Share on Pinterest Searching for bed bugs includes looking for reddish-brown stains caused by their droppings and the clear skins shed by nymphs as they mature.

• apartment or condominium buildings
• large office spaces
• hotels
• vacation rentals
• cruise ships
• daycares
• nursing homes
• hospitals
• college dormitories or housing units
• public transportation, including airplanes
• shopping malls
• furniture or second hand stores
• urban areas
• rented homes

Items commonly responsible for spreading bed bugs include:

• used or secondhand furniture
• new furniture or textiles exposed to bed bugs during transit
• items of luggage
• chairs or loungers where people fall asleep
• bedding or bed clothes
• moving or storage boxes
• shipped items, especially if held at several locations or warehouses

Bed bugs do not have a preference between sanitary, messy, or unsanitary conditions.

They can, however, be found at higher rates in places, such as hotels, if infestations are not properly cleared.

Home tips for preventing, controlling, and clearing bed bug infestations include:

• Avoid furniture or items from infested areas or environments commonly impacted by bed bugs, such as apartment buildings.
• Pick furniture or items made out of materials that do not typically contain cracks, crevices or seams, including plastic, stone, metal, plaster, and high-weave textiles.

Share on Pinterest Washing bedding at high temperatures and checking for signs of bed bugs in hotel rooms can help prevent bed bug bites.

• Fill or seal cracks, crevices, and seams with products, such as glue or calking.
• Clean bedding and bed clothing regularly.
• Wash and dry bedding at high heat.
• Vacuum upholstered items regularly and thoroughly, including mattresses, pillows, etc.
• Clean heavier bedding items, including mattresses, pillows, comforters, and duvet covers, using high heat, ideally the “dry steam” setting available on modern washing machines.
• Use a hand steamer to kill eggs and bugs in luggage or upholstered items.
• When traveling, keep luggage on racks and away from floors, beds, and furniture.
• Check for signs of bed bugs upon entering hotel rooms or other pest hot spots.
• Remember, where there is one bed bug there are usually many, often in the areas surrounding or adjacent to the infected room or item.
• Cover as much of the skin as possible while sleeping.

In severe or persistent cases, furniture or infected items may need to be destroyed, ideally by burning.

Last medically reviewed on January 17, 2020

Pictures of Bed Bug Bites

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Overview

Each of the following pictures of bed bug bites shows typical skin reactions to the insect’s saliva. Most people are not hypersensitive to the bites and will show no reaction at all with the exception of two small dots where the bedbug punctured the skin. Other people can develop more severe symptoms such as red papular eruptions (raised inflamed areas) or in severe cases, blisters.

Most bites will have a small clear area in the center surrounded by redness that may or may not be raised. People tend to become more sensitive and have larger reactions after each episode. Reactions can include itch, swelling, rash, and wheals (large round red area on the skin). Severe reactions can cause skin blisters and trouble breathing, although these reactions are very rare.

Skin reactions can occur immediately, hours, days or even up to two weeks later. Itch, the primary symptom beyond a red raised area, should subside in 1 to 3 days. Bed bug bites should go away with no treatment in 4 to 7 days.

Because individual allergic skin reactions can vary as shown in the following bed bug bite images, and people can become more or less sensitive to bed bug bites over time, bites alone cannot confirm the presence of bed bugs. Also look for other factors such as actual insects or blood and fecal stains on a mattress. Research shows that 11 out of 24 people have no reaction when first bitten. However, when bitten again most developed a skin reaction. (1)

Picture of Bed Bug Feeding on Skin. Adult Bed Bugs are About the Size of an Apple Seed

If you skin symptoms match any of the pictures of bed bug bites, look for other signs of an infestation.

Bed Bug Feeding On Hand

Pictures of Bed Bug Bites on Humans


When people ask “show me pictures of bed bug bites” they are often thinking that all bites look the same. The reality is that reactions are different in each person.

Bed bugs bites will appear on areas of the body that are exposed during sleep. The most common areas are the legs, arms, shoulders, and neck. The bite itself will feel like a tickle or pinch. Patterns are often in a straight line.

Said another way, if you see bites only under areas that are covered in clothes, and you see no other signs of an infestation such as live insects or mattress stains, in all likelihood the skin reaction you are seeing IS NOT caused by bed bugs.

Do not scratch the bites as it can cause a skin infection. Bite reactions can occur immediately or in a few days.

Typical Allergic Skin Reactions


Bed Bug Bite Skin Reaction After 30 Minutes on Lower Leg

Bed Bug Bites on Leg

Bed Bug Bite Patterns

It is common to see bed bug bites in a row of 3 or 4 bites or a cluster. This could be due to an arm or leg resting on an infested mattress seam.

Bed Bug Bite Pattern on Arm

Bed bug bites can appear individually, in groups or in rows.

What do Bed Bug Bites Look Like on Arms?

Bed bug bites most commonly are found on exposed skin areas during sleep such as the lower legs, shoulders, and arms.

Cluster of Bed Bug Bites on Arm

Bed Bug Bites In a Row. Could be caused by leg leading against mattress seam where bedbugs are hiding.

Bed Bug Bites on Stomach. Bites are typically 2mm to 5mm. Bites are referred to as erythematous ( redness of the skin or mucous membranes due to the accumulation of blood in dilated capillaries) or maculopapular (flat, reddened area of skin present in a rash) lesions.

Back of 4 Year Old Bitten by Hundreds of Bed Bugs. Quantity of Bites Make Skin Look Like a Rash Instead of Bites

Bed Bug Bite Wheal Skin Reaction


The Bed Bug bite wheal pattern see below is usually seen in people that that have had other bed bug bite episodes and are now more sensitive to the bites.

Bed Bug Skin Wheal Reaction
Author: R. Naylor

The size of the skin reaction depends on the allergic response of the individual. Hypersensitive individuals will have larger reactions.

Bed Bug Wheal Skin Reaction

Bed Bug Bite on Leg – Wheal Reaction

Blister Reaction


In advanced cases bed bug skin reactions can turn into blisters.

Picture of Bed Bug Skin Blisters
Author: Leverkus

Bed Bug Bite Blisters Hypersensitive Reaction

Stages of Bed Bug Bites

Bed bug bite images vary based on the individual and how allergic they are.

Bed Bug Bites 4 Days After Being Bitten

Bed Bug Bite 1 Week After Being Bitten on Skin

Diagnosis

Bed bug bites alone can look like bites or rashes from other causes. A Doctor will need to eliminate the following before making a definitive diagnosis (unless you have proof of other signs in the home such as a live insect or a stained mattress).

• Chicken Pox
• Staphylococcus infection
• Spider or Mosquito Bites
• Hives
• Allergies to food
• Reaction to medications such as antibiotics
• Scabies

Bed Bug Bites Treatment

Treatment for bedbugs bites involves addressing itchy bites, soothing the skin, and then preventing any infection. After Bite makes an anti-itch anti-microbial gel formula that is specifically formulated to provide relief bed bug itching and to promote healing.

In most cases, medical attention will not be needed if you have been bitten. For severe reactions or if you have difficulty breathing, immediately seek emergency medical care.

If the bed bug bites aren’t healing, or you see signs of puss or infection, be sure to see a Doctor.

Tell-Tale Signs of Bed Bugs


Do not rely only on bite symptoms when determining if you have a bed bug infestation. Bed bug bites look like bites from other common insects. Skin reactions can be caused by insect stings from fire ant stings, insect bites from spiders, mosquito bites, and scabies to name a few. Other causes include skin irritation from exposure to household chemicals or some type of allergy.

• Pattern: Middle of the bite is clear with a red ring around the middle.
• Symptoms: Most bites are very itchy
• Location: Bed bugs do not bite through clothing and only bite exposed skin. This includes the arms, legs, shoulders, and neck. Bites are rarely seen on the bottoms of the feet. If this is the location of the bite, see a doctor and ask if the condition is scabies.
• Presence of Actual Bed Bugs: You can see baby bed bugs and adult bed bugs with the naked eye. Use a credit card or thin brush to work through the mattress seam to see if you dislodge any insects. It might be helpful to have a flashlight and magnifying glass. You can also spot small overall off-white bed bug eggs attached to rough surfaces. Note that bed bugs can change in appearance as they absorb human blood.
• Signs on the Mattress: Small brown spots on a mattress (bed bug feces) or small blood spots could indicate the presence of bed bugs. Of course, spotting the bugs themselves is a sign. They hide in the seams of the mattress. Even one bed bug can cause a problem. Other areas where bed bugs are commonly found include around the headboard, night tables, and crevices between the walls and floor.

Picture of Bed Bug Stains on Mattress

Why You Need a Bed Bug Professional


Do not only rely on pictures of bedbug bites to confirm that bed bugs are your problem. For example, bites that occur only on the bottoms of the legs are more likely to be flea bites.

Call in a professional that knows how to spot an infestation that might be in the walls of your home or hidden in a bed frame.

We recommended using the exterminators registered with Home Advisor. You can also call eLocal at 1.877.673.2704 for a pest control expert near you. Members of these networks are licensed and reviewed. There is no charge to receive a quote. You can also look at our directory of bed bug pest control experts.

Protect Yourself From Bed Bugs

Until you treat your home, minimize bare skin to cut off the bed bugs’ food source. At night wear socks over the bottom of pajamas and mittens over shirt sleeves. Keep your bed away from other furniture and blankets off the floor.

Brochures

Each of these free brochures is filled with pictures of bed bug bite examples such as photos of rashes, skin reactions, mattress signs, and information.