Bedbug and mosquito bites can appear similar at first glance. That's why it's important to consider the small cues that can help you determine what bit you. Armed with that knowledge, you can focus your treatments on relieving itchy, irritated skin.
Bedbugs are nocturnal insects that bite people usually asleep and in bed. They can resemble other insect bites, such as mosquito bites, or skin irritations, such as eczema.
Bedbug bites can become infected. Signs that a bedbug lesion is infected include:
Mosquitoes are small, flying insects with six legs. Only the females of the species bite. Mosquitoes thrive near water. If you've been outdoors and near a pond, lake, marsh, or pool, this increases the likelihood your bite is from a mosquito.
Although rare, it's possible that a person can experience an anaphylactic reaction to a mosquito bite. This is a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that causes hives, throat swelling, and difficulty breathing.
Medical EmergencyIf you or someone else may be experiencing anaphylaxis, seek emergency medical attention. Call 911 or go to an emergency room.
A mosquito has to be on the skin for at least six seconds to bite you. The bites may be seemingly instantly itchy and visible. They will usually get better after one or two days.
Bedbug bites don't always cause skin reactions. If they do, the reactions can be delayed by hours or days. This makes bedbugs harder to treat because a person may not know they've been around them until several days later.
See below for some pictures of bedbug and mosquito bites.
Bedbugs and mosquitoes aren't the only insects that can create similar bites. Here are some other common bug bites and how to tell the difference.
Kissing bugs are insects that can be infested with a parasite that causes a condition known as Chagas disease. These bugs commonly bite a person around their mouth or eyes. They'll usually bite a person several times in the same area. The bites may be small, red, and round.
Kissing bug bites that cause Chagas disease can be serious as the disease can cause heart and intestinal problems.
Spider bites can take on different appearances and symptoms based on the spider that bit you. Usually, a spider's fangs aren't strong enough to break through human skin. The ones that do — such as a brown recluse or black widow spider — can cause severe symptoms.
Signs a person may have been bitten by a spider include:
Serious spider bites can lead to illness and infection. You should seek immediate medical attention if you think you were bitten by a brown recluse or black widow spider.
Fire ants are insects that can sting and cause painful, itchy bites. These bites usually occur on the legs or feet after stepping in a fire ant mound when ants come out and bite.
Symptoms of fire ant bites include:
Fire ant bites may cause symptoms up to a week. The bites can be extremely itchy.
Keeping a bite or bites clean and dry can help them heal. While it's tempting, you shouldn't itch or scratch. This increases the risk of infection and only irritates the skin more.
You don't typically need to treat mosquito bites. Ones that are especially itchy may be soothed by applying a topical antihistamine cream. Applying a cloth-covered ice pack and keeping the affected area clean with soap and water can help.
You can treat most bedbug bites without a doctor's prescription. Treatments include:
Treating bedbug bites also involves getting rid of the bugs from your home, if you think you were bitten at home. Bedbugs can live for up to a year between feedings. As a result, it's important to call a professional exterminator who can get rid of bedbugs. This should be followed by cleaning a bedroom free of papers and covering up crevices that bedbugs can live in.
You should see a doctor if you think you have a bug bite that's become infected. This includes redness, streaking, fever, or extreme swelling.
If you think you've been bitten by a brown recluse or black widow spider, you should also see a doctor. These bites can cause severe infections and serious side effects.
While bedbug and mosquito bites may appear similar, there are ways to tell the difference, such as that bedbugs may bite in a straight line while mosquitoes may bite in irregular patterns.