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Home Health
Sophia Mitrokostas
Updated
2018-11-26T16:35:00Z
Bug bites can be hard to identify, especially when there are so many household critters that can leave you with a bite.
While most insects you’ll encounter are harmless, there are a few specific bites that might warrant a trip to the doctor and it's importantto be able to identify these potentially dangerous bites.
From tick bites to wasp and hornet stings, each bug leaves behind distinct marks and symptoms that are worth knowing. Stock up on calamine lotion and check out this guide to identifying some of the most common bug bites and the symptoms associated with each.
Dangerous tick bites sometimes look like a bull’s-eye.
While most ticks don’t transmit disease, there is a wide variety of illness you can contract from ticks including Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Contrary to what you might have heard, ticks do not intentionally jumpor drop onto their hosts. They simply crawl or hitch a ride on plant material, according to the CDC.
A tick bite that has not led to an infection may look like a small red circle. There may be minimal itching or swelling, according to John Hopkins Rheumatology.
A bite from a tick carrying Lyme disease may leave you with a bulls-eye shaped rash involving concentric rings of reddened and lighter colored skin. This pattern may develop up to a month after the bite and never develops at all in up to 30% of people. This rash is not usually painful, according to the CDC.
Bedbug bites often show up in a line.
Bedbug bites have a distinctive, clustered look to them. You probably won’t feel the bite of a bedbug, but you’ll certainly notice the groupings of red marks that often form a line across your skin, according to the CDC.
These bites are itchy, but the amount of discomfort varies from person to person. Some people experience a severe allergic reaction to bedbug saliva and develop an intense itch between 24 hours to three days later.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends enlisting the help of a pest-control company to clear your home of bed bugs, and to head to a dermatologist if you have many bites or a bite that looks infected.
Mosquito bites are puffy and itchy.
Mosquito bites look like round pink or red bumps. They’re usually itchy and appear very soon after being bitten, according to Healthline. You typically won’t feel anything while the bite is occurring.
While mosquitoes don’t have any venom of their own, they can carry dangerous diseases like the West Nile virus, malaria, and the Zika virus. Symptoms of these illnesses might not appear for up to four weeks, so get yourself checked by a doctor if you think you’ve been infected, according to the CDC.
Mite bites are extremely itchy and could look like a rash.
Mites or chiggers cause bites that look like small, red dots. They are usually extremely itchy and can even look like a solid skin rash if many bites are close together.
Chiggers are a type of mite that liquifies the skin around a bite so that they can eat it. If you’re dealing with a chigger bite, you might notice the surrounding skin harden in response to this reaction, according to WebMD.
Mites can cause scabies, which is a contagious condition in which mites burrow into the skin and lay eggs. According to the CDC, scabies frequently presents in places where direct and prolonged skin-to-skin contact is common such as nursing homes, child care facilities, and between sexual partners.
Ant bites are usually painful and can become infected.
Most household black ants are harmless and do not bite, but sugar ants, fire ants, and carpenter ants can deliver a painful sting, according to WebMD.
If you are bitten by fire ants, you can expect to see small red blisters and could also develop tiny white pustules on the site of the bite, reported PestWorld. Do not try to drain or open the blisters as they could become infected. Carpenter ants actually apply formic acid into their bites, which makes them extremely painful.
These ant bites should resolve after three to seven days, though scratching the bites could cause scars.
Lice bites are almost too small to see.
Head lice are tiny, parasitic insects that live on the human scalp and feed on blood. Their bites are usually almost too small to see but can itch fiercely.
The CDC reported that head lice do not carry any disease or bacteria, though some people may develop a large rash from multiple lice bites.Body lice, however, can carry disease, according to the CDC. Lice are spread via direct person-to-person contact and cannot jump or live longer than 48 hours off of a human host.
Horsefly bites are painful and potentially dangerous.
Horseflies are common around livestock and in rural environments. The bite itself is painful and you will most likely be aware it is happening, according to the UK National Health Service.The bite of a horsefly may look like a red circle with a pale center area.
Some people experience allergic reactions to horsefly bites with symptoms including shortness of breath and swelling.
Wasp and hornet stings can stay swollen for up to a week.
A wasp or hornet resembles a bee in coloration, but they’re not the same. A wasp sting feels like a sharp, sudden pain followed by the formation of a red and swollen mark, according to the National Health Service.
Though wasp stings usually calm down after a few hours, some stings can persist for days and lead to swelling that lasts up to a week.
Midge or gnat bites look like mosquito bites.
A bite from a midge or gnat will usually present as a small, itchy red bump. The National Health Service said these bumps can be painful and sometimes swell up quite a bit.
Occasionally, midge bites may develop blisters that fill with fluid. It’s important not to pick at these as breaking the blisters could lead to scarring.
A black widow spider bite has two fang marks.
While most spider bites will only leave you with a small, swollen red mark, a few household spiders can be deadly.
The bite of a black widow spider looks like a red patch with two puncture marks. The spider itself has a distinctive red hourglass pattern on its body. You might feel the bite or you might not notice. Pain and swelling will set in after about 40 minutes, and within eight hours you might feel muscle pain, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and breathing difficulties, according to Healthline.
Head to the doctor if you suspect you have been bitten by a black widow spider.
Brown recluse spider bites might form a blister and need swift medical attention.
Brown recluse spiders are native to Midwestern and Southeastern states. While these spiders are extremely dangerous, they are also very rare. All reported deaths from brown recluse spider bites in the US have been in children younger than seven years old, according to AL.com.
Brown recluse bites are usually painless, though a white or light-colored blister might develop at the site of the bite. As time passes, this bite could start to look like a bruise or turn crusty. Symptoms usually appear within two to eight hours and include severe pain and itching, nausea, vomiting, fever, and muscle pain, according to Emedicinehealth.
The bite of a brown recluse spider is very dangerous and can lead to seizures, kidney failure, and coma. If left untreated, a bite from a brown recluse spider might also cause a necrotic lesion, which is basically an area of dead tissue. Head to your doctor or the local hospital for this one.
Bee stings look like hives and could still contain a stinger.
You’ll probably know if you’ve been stung by a bee, as the sting is painful. The stung area will likely appear as a raised light bump with a red dot in the center and is usually surrounded by pink or irritated skin. The site could still contain the detached stinger of the bee.
Bee stings can result in a severe allergic reaction in some people that can lead to swelling in the lungs and throat, called anaphylaxis. This can lead to death if not immediately treated. Other severe symptoms include trouble breathing, dizziness, vomiting, and cardiac arrest, according to Mayo Clinic.
If you’ve been stung by a bee before, your body might develop an immune response to subsequent stings that can lead to severe swelling at the sting site or across large areas of your body.
Flea bites are small and scattered.
Flea bites typically look like tiny hives or spots. According to Fleabites.net, they might appear in groups of three or four and are frequently itchy. Flea bites are coming around the ankles and legs but can appear anywhere. If pressed by a finger, a flea bite rash may turn white.
Fleas are harmless in themselves, but in incredibly rare cases they may carry the bacteria that causes plague. However, only 17 people in the past 10 years have been contracted plague in the United States, according to the CDC.
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FAQs
How can you identify a bug bite? ›
When an insect bites, it releases saliva that can cause the skin around the bite to become red, swollen and itchy. The venom from a sting often also causes a swollen, itchy, red mark (a weal) to form on the skin. This can be painful, but it's harmless in most cases.
What has bitten me in bed? ›The main insects that may be biting you as you sleep are bed bugs, mosquitos, fleas, gnats and midges. If you would like to know which of these insects are biting you as you sleep, you'll need to look at the type of bite you have.
What do any bites look like? ›If you receive an ant bite, you will likely have a small, red, pimple-like mark on your skin. The bite could last for a few days before it disappears. For a sting from a fire ant, you might develop a bump on your skin that forms within an hour after the sting.
What looks like insect bites but isn t? ›Hives, also called urticaria (yer ti CARE ee uh), are red, itchy, raised bumps or welts on the skin. They may be small, like mosquito bites, or many inches wide. Hives can appear alone, in a group or can connect with each other to cover bigger areas. When pressed, the center of the hive turns pale.
Is there an app to identify bug bites? ›Meredith tested the app trying to identify six different skin conditions. She was impressed that Aysa correctly identified psoriasis, sun spots, molluscum contagiosum, and bug bites.
What do bed bugs bites look like? ›Bedbug Bites Look Like Swollen Red Spots — and They Often Itch. The bites can appear on any part of the body that's exposed while you sleep — places like the back of your neck, shoulders, arms, and legs are common, says Steve Durham, president of EnviroCon Termite & Pest in Tomball, Texas.
What is biting me at night not bed bugs? ›Besides bedbugs, numerous insects bite at night. These night biters can be mites, fleas, mosquitoes, lice, spiders, and ticks.
Can't find bed bugs but have bites? ›Bites on the skin are a poor indicator of a bed bug infestation. Bed bug bites can look like bites from other insects (such as mosquitoes or chiggers), rashes (such as eczema or fungal infections), or even hives. Some people do not react to bed bug bites at all.
Why am I getting bitten at night? ›There are three likely sources for bug bites at night — spiders, mosquitos or bed bugs. Spiders and mosquitos usually find their way into your home — and into your bedroom — during the warmer months. “Honestly, many mosquito and spider bites look similar.
How do I identify a bite on my skin? ›- swelling.
- redness or rash.
- pain in the affected area or in the muscles.
- itching.
- heat on and around the site of the bite or sting.
- numbness or tingling in the affected area.
What does a flea bite look like? ›
They look like small, red bumps in clusters of three or four or a straight line. The bumps remain small, unlike mosquito bites. You might notice a red “halo” around the bite center. The most common places to find these bites are around the legs or ankles.
What does a spider bite look like? ›Typically, a spider bite looks like any other bug bite — a red, inflamed, sometimes itchy or painful bump on your skin — and may even go unnoticed. Harmless spider bites usually don't produce any other symptoms. Many skin sores look the same but have other causes, such as a bacterial infection.
What are bites that look like pimples? ›Chigger bites are itchy red bumps that can look like pimples, blisters, or small hives. They are usually found around the waist, ankles, or in warm skin folds. They get bigger and itchier over several days, and often appear in groups.
What is biting me at night under my clothes? ›Body lice (Pediculus humanus corporis) are small blood-sucking insects that live on the body of infested humans and in their clothing or bedding, particularly the seams.
What insect bites multiple times? ›| Bug | Bite description |
|---|---|
| Fleas | Fleas can bite multiple times, leaving clusters of tiny red bumps in a row. Flea bites are often on the lower part of the body, such as on the legs, ankles, and feet. |
| Bedbugs | Bedbug bites are red, appearing as a line of flat or raised bumps. |
Fire ant stings cause red welts or lumps in semi-circular patterns which later become blisters. Fire ant stings burn, itch, and may last up to a week. Severe allergic reactions can occur, including swelling and breathing difficulties.
Do spider bites have 2 holes? ›Myth: You can always tell a spider bite because a spider leaves two punctures. Fact: There is a germ of truth in this idea, but only a very tiny germ. Spiders do have two venom-injecting fangs and typically bite with both at the same time.
Why do I have bumps that look like mosquito bites but aren t? ›If a person notices bumps on the skin that resemble mosquito bites but has not had any exposure to mosquitos, the cause is probably acute urticaria. The term “acute” means that the condition does not last longer than 6 weeks. Hives are very common, affecting about 20% of people at some point in their lives.
Can one bed bug bite 10 times? ›Several bites at once
Infestations are always dozens or even hundreds of bed bugs… and they all feed at once. They all also feed up to three times a night. Consequently, if bed bugs find you for even one night, they'll bite you quite a few times.
Bed bugs do not typically hide on the body. They prefer to feed, then move back to their hiding place until they are hungry again. In some cases, they may hide in your clothes or the soles of your shoes.
How do you tell if bites are from bed bugs? ›
Most bedbug bites are painless at first, but later turn into itchy welts. Unlike flea bites that are mainly around the ankles, bedbug bites are on any area of skin exposed while sleeping. Also, the bites do not have a red spot in the center like flea bites do.
Why am I getting bitten and no one else is? ›If no pests can be found and the irritation doesn't seem to match any of the most common bug bite pictures, you may be experiencing a skin reaction to a household product or environmental irritant. Consider the location of the rash. If it's on the hands and arms, think about what you've come in contact with recently.
How do you get rid of invisible biting mites? ›Take a hot, soapy bath and scrub your skin with a washcloth to get rid of the actual mites. Itching from mite bites can become very intense, but it can be relieved by using an allergy medication or applying hydrocortisone cream to the affected area.
Can shingles look like bug bites? ›I actually had shingles, and it was horrible. I glanced down and saw a pink rash on my upper left chest. At first, I thought it was insect bites — I had been walking outdoors more often once spring arrived. A few days later, the rash looked like small red pimples filled with liquid and had started to itch.
How do bed bugs look on a mattress? ›Look for any markings that might resemble blood spots or fecal stains left by bed bugs after a nighttime meal. Check for these stains around the top of the mattress as well as along the seams.
Why do bed bugs only bite me and not my husband? ›You may also be getting more or fewer bites than a partner because of blood type. Bed bugs have a preference for blood type, and stick to it where it's available. Their preference is based on what they grew up with. When bed bugs grow up feeding on O positive blood, they'll feed on O positive in the future.
Do bed bugs bite through clothes? ›Bed bugs are drawn to the CO2 released from humans breathing, so typically bite exposed areas on the arms, face and neck. And yet, they can burrow through clothing, so bites can also appear on the rest of the body. Some people report they get bitten under the elastic waistband of their PJ bottoms or underwear.
What gets rid of bug bites fast? ›- Wash the area with soap and water.
- Apply an ice pack for 10 minutes to reduce swelling and itching. Reapply ice pack as needed.
- Apply a mixture of baking soda and water, which can help reduce the itch response. ...
- Use an over-the-counter anti-itch or antihistamine cream to help relieve itching.
Apply to the affected area calamine lotion, baking soda paste, or 0.5% or 1% hydrocortisone cream. Do this several times a day until your symptoms go away. Take an anti-itch medicine (antihistamine) by mouth to reduce itching.
What are little black bugs burrowing into skin? ›Scabies is caused by tiny mites that burrow into the skin. Scabies is an itchy skin rash caused by a tiny burrowing mite called Sarcoptes scabiei. Intense itching occurs in the area where the mite burrows.
How long do bug bites last? ›
Most insect bites are itchy for several days. Any pinkness or redness usually lasts 3 days. The swelling may last 7 days.
Do dust mites bite? ›While other bugs you encounter may bite, dust mites themselves don't actually bite your skin. However, an allergic reaction to these pesky creatures may induce skin rashes. These are often red and itchy in nature.
What is the best antihistamine for insect bites? ›...
OTC antihistamines that are nonsedating or less likely to cause drowsiness include:
- cetirizine (Zyrtec)
- desloratadine (Clarinex)
- fexofenadine (Allegra)
- levocetirizine (Xyzal)
- loratadine (Alavert, Claritin)
Chigger bites are itchy red bumps that can look like pimples, blisters, or small hives. They are usually found around the waist, ankles, or in warm skin folds. They get bigger and itchier over several days, and often appear in groups.
What do midge bites look like? ›Midge and gnat bites often look similar to mosquito bites. They usually cause small, red lumps that can be painful and very itchy, and can sometimes swell up alarmingly. Some people may also develop fluid-filled blisters.
What does cellulitis from a bug bite look like? ›Symptoms of Cellulitis From an Insect Bite
They usually start with a small area of skin that's red, swollen, tender, and warm. The skin may be pitted like an orange peel or develop blisters. You may have a fever and chills. Cellulitis is most common on the feet and legs, but it can appear on any part of your body.
A bite from a hobo spider may be unnoticeable at first, but it'll cause pain and numbness within 15 minutes. After 1 hour, the site will start to turn red. In 8 hours, it'll become hardened and swollen. After 24 to 26 hours, the wound may discharge fluids and eventually turn black.
Do bed bug bites look like pimples? ›Mosquito bites leave an itchy welt that looks like a pimple. It usually goes away in a few days. Although mosquito and bedbug bites can look similar, mosquito bites are more likely to be in a random pattern and are larger in size than bedbug bites. Bedbug bites are more likely to be in a straight line or zigzag.
How do I know if I have bed bug bites or chiggers? ›Both bed bug and chigger bites appear as raised, red, inflamed spots on your skin. Bed bug bites appear most frequently near areas of exposed skin and may appear in lines or in random clusters. Chigger bites are grouped together in locations near tight-fitting clothing.
Is it a spider bite or a pimple? ›The one clue that a wound is not a spider bite is the presence of a pustule. A pustule is a small pimple or boil filled with pus. 1 A spider bite may fill with fluid, but it's not usually pus.
How do I know what kind of bug bite I have? ›
Flea bites leave an itchy welt on the skin, often on the ankles and legs. Mosquitoes leave a raised, itchy pink skin bump or in rare cases a severe allergic reaction. Spider bites cause minor symptoms like red skin, swelling, and pain at the site or very serious symptoms that need emergency care.
What are the signs of mites? ›- nasal congestion and sneezing.
- itchy, red, or watery eyes.
- itchy nose, mouth, or throat.
- a cough.
- chest tightness.
- difficulty breathing.
- wheezing.
bed bugs, fleas, and mosquitoes are the most common insects to bite people while they're asleep. In addition to that, there are some critters that might, and even are likely, to crawl in bed with you, like cockroaches, but are unlikely to bite you (cockroaches don't bite).”
Is there an app to identify bug bites? ›Meredith tested the app trying to identify six different skin conditions. She was impressed that Aysa correctly identified psoriasis, sun spots, molluscum contagiosum, and bug bites.
What is biting me that I can't see? ›Occasionally people are aware of small insects flying around them, but do not actually see them biting. These bites may be from small biting midges, often called “no-see-ums”. They are also known as punkies or sand flies.
What bug leaves 3 bite marks in a triangle? ›A common pattern we've seen is bed bugs (Bed Bugs Bites Pictures) will bite in a triangular shape, usually in 3's. It's not always going to be an exact indication. However, if you do have a triangle shaped biting pattern on your body, tere is a high chance you're infested.
What do bed spider bites look like? ›Bites normally look like small, flat or raised areas that may become inflamed, itchy, red or blistered.
What does a spider bite look like? ›Typically, a spider bite looks like any other bug bite — a red, inflamed, sometimes itchy or painful bump on your skin — and may even go unnoticed. Harmless spider bites usually don't produce any other symptoms. Many skin sores look the same but have other causes, such as a bacterial infection.
How long do bug bites last? ›Most insect bites are itchy for several days. Any pinkness or redness usually lasts 3 days. The swelling may last 7 days.
When should I be concerned about a bug bite? ›a large area (around 10cm or more patch of skin) around the bite becomes red and swollen. you have symptoms of a wound infection, such as pus or increasing pain, swelling or redness. you have symptoms of a more widespread infection, such as a high temperature, swollen glands and other flu-like symptoms.
What is biting me at night not bed bugs? ›
Besides bedbugs, numerous insects bite at night. These night biters can be mites, fleas, mosquitoes, lice, spiders, and ticks.
Can one bed bug bite 10 times? ›Several bites at once
Infestations are always dozens or even hundreds of bed bugs… and they all feed at once. They all also feed up to three times a night. Consequently, if bed bugs find you for even one night, they'll bite you quite a few times.
Bites on the skin are a poor indicator of a bed bug infestation. Bed bug bites can look like bites from other insects (such as mosquitoes or chiggers), rashes (such as eczema or fungal infections), or even hives. Some people do not react to bed bug bites at all.
What insect bites multiple times? ›| Bug | Bite description |
|---|---|
| Fleas | Fleas can bite multiple times, leaving clusters of tiny red bumps in a row. Flea bites are often on the lower part of the body, such as on the legs, ankles, and feet. |
| Bedbugs | Bedbug bites are red, appearing as a line of flat or raised bumps. |
Symptoms of Cellulitis From an Insect Bite
They usually start with a small area of skin that's red, swollen, tender, and warm. The skin may be pitted like an orange peel or develop blisters. You may have a fever and chills. Cellulitis is most common on the feet and legs, but it can appear on any part of your body.
For bites that itch, apply an ice pack or an over-the-counter anti-itch cream, such as hydrocortisone. Another option is to take an over-the-counter oral antihistamine. To reduce swelling, apply an ice pack to the bite.
What gets rid of bug bites fast? ›- Wash the area with soap and water.
- Apply an ice pack for 10 minutes to reduce swelling and itching. Reapply ice pack as needed.
- Apply a mixture of baking soda and water, which can help reduce the itch response. ...
- Use an over-the-counter anti-itch or antihistamine cream to help relieve itching.
Apply a cloth dampened with cold water or filled with ice to the area of the bite or sting for 10 to 20 minutes. This helps reduce pain and swelling. If the injury is on an arm or leg, raise it. Apply to the affected area calamine lotion, baking soda paste, or 0.5% or 1% hydrocortisone cream.
What is the best cream for insect bites? ›For itching – ask your pharmacist about suitable treatments, including crotamiton cream or lotion, hydrocortisone cream or ointment and antihistamine tablets. For swelling – try regularly applying a cold compress or ice pack to the affected area, or ask your pharmacist about treatments such as antihistamine tablets.
What is the best antihistamine for insect bites? ›...
OTC antihistamines that are nonsedating or less likely to cause drowsiness include:
- cetirizine (Zyrtec)
- desloratadine (Clarinex)
- fexofenadine (Allegra)
- levocetirizine (Xyzal)
- loratadine (Alavert, Claritin)
What kind of insect bite causes a hard lump? ›
A mosquito bite is a small, round, puffy bump that appears soon after you've been bitten. The bump will become red, hard, swollen, and itchy. You may have multiple bites in the same area.