Why do bed bugs bite?

Contributed by: Pat Hottel

Updated on: July 10, 2024

If you think you may have been bitten by a bed bug or another pest, it's best to seek advice from a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis. Everyone's reaction to bites and stings can differ, so getting medical attention from a professional is essential.

Bed bugs are notorious for their ability to quickly infest new areas. If you see one bed bug, there are likely more around. These reddish-brown hitchhikers love to travel and can catch rides on luggage, upholstered furniture, and belongings. Bed bug bites could be an initial sign that bed bugs have entered your space and a thorough inspection should be conducted to confirm their presence. These pests rely on the blood of humans and other mammals to grow and thrive and will primarily bite at night.

What do bed bug bites look like?

Identifying a bed bug bite can be difficult because it looks similar to other insect bites. Typically, the best way to confirm a bite is to find the actual specimen of the suspected pest. If you suspect you've been bitten and are unsure what the pest was, it's best to consult a medical professional to rule out other potential irritants. Bites often occur on areas of skin that are exposed during sleep, such as the shoulders, back, and ankles, in addition to the face, neck, hands, arms, and legs. 

When bites show, they will sometimes appear as tiny red welts in clusters. Bed bug bites are sometimes mistaken for mosquito or flea bites. While all three insects can cause small red bumps or welts in those they've bitten, bites from a bed bug are usually distinguished by their clustered pattern, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. 

bed bug bite scars on legs

Not everyone experiences these symptoms of bed bug bites. In fact, some people do not react at all.

Bed bug bite identification

A bite from a bed bug can often leave you itchy, sleepless, and uncomfortable. These bites can also easily be confused with bites from other insects. Here is a list of bed bug bite symptoms to help you more easily identify the true culprit and cause of your discomfort:

  • Red, itchy welts. A bite from a bed bug may result in flat, red welts on your skin. While bed bugs do not spread disease-causing pathogens, their bites can be itchy and irritating. Although these bites do not normally cause rashes, the welts could bleed or result in a secondary infection due to broken skin if you scratch them too much.

  • Bites on exposed skin. Bed bugs tend to feed on exposed skin.

  • Timing of bites. The bed bug bite itself might not be noticeable at first. It can take anywhere from a few hours to several days (even weeks in some cases) for the itchy welts to develop. The duration of these bites may vary from person to person, depending on individual reactions and the severity of the bites.

  • Allergic reactions. Some people may react more severely to bed bug bites than others. Those allergic to bites from bed bugs could experience enlarged red welts, painful swelling around bite areas, and even anaphylaxis – a severe allergic reaction that could cause a person to go into shock.

Not everyone experiences these symptoms of bed bug bites. In fact, some people do not react at all.

Treating bed bug bites

If you think a bed bug has bitten you, it is essential to seek bed bug bite treatment from a healthcare professional. While home remedies may provide temporary relief, a medical expert can accurately diagnose and prescribe necessary medications, especially if signs of an allergic reaction or infection are present. Healthcare professionals may recommend stronger antihistamines, antibiotic creams, or oral steroids to manage severe reactions and prevent complications.

How to help prevent bed bug bites

Due to their rapid reproduction rate, bed bugs can infest your house quicker than you think. Don't let these tiny terrors take over your home. The longer you wait, the bigger the problem becomes and the more difficult (and expensive) it will be to control. If you’ve seen a bed bug in your home or believe you’ve been bitten by one, schedule a bed bug inspection with Terminix today.

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