Recognize bedbug bites: what do they look like?

You don't always bring nice souvenirs with you from your vacation, but occasionally also a bug or two. However, these are not just any bugs, but blood-sucking specimens of the species Cimex lectularius - better known as house or bed bugs. An infestation is not easy to recognize, especially since the bug bite is difficult to distinguish from other insect bites. These features and symptoms are used to identify the annoying pests.

Bug bites

The unequivocal identification of the bites is also so difficult because people react to them very differently. It is estimated that a fifth of those affected do not even notice a bedbug infestation because they neither feel the bite nor experience any skin reactions to it. Others develop swollen redness, possibly with itching, or even severe allergic reactions. The latter, however, are very rare. A few similarities can still be found:

• painless
• Bite is expressed by round reddening
• strongly reddened
• are sometimes, but not always, swollen
• occasionally wheals form
• Bedbugs always bite several times
• clear indication: Wanzenstrasse
• nocturnal
• only uncovered parts of the body

Since the bug hides during the day and only attacks its sleeping victim at night, the bites become not noticed at first - especially since the insects secrete an anesthetic so they do not have a puncture sense. When looking for a suitable blood vessel, the animals also bite more frequently, mostly in the immediate vicinity of the first attempt. The result is often - not always - a row arrangement of the bite marks, which is also known as bed bug street and is a clear indication of an infestation with bed bugs.

Note: Since bed bugs do not have a bite device, they do not bite. Ergo, it is actually a bite and not a sting.

Skin reactions after a bedbug bite

During their nightly meal, the bedbug only visits places uncovered by clothing or blankets, so the bedbug bites are often on the limbs. In principle, however, any part of the body can be affected. After the bite, the puncture site only begins to itch after some time, whereby the itching can be compared to that of a mosquito bite and can last for up to a week.
Treat the stitches with suitable means from the pharmacy - we will introduce a few to you below in the article - and try these do not scratch. Scratching can cause skin inflammation and other infections, the doctor calls it secondary infections, as germs can get into the wounds.

Differentiation from other insect bites

Bugs are very difficult to recognize by their bites, as the traces in this regard are very similar to the bite and sting marks of other insects. Therefore, at this point you will find an overview of the typical features and symptoms of other more common ones Insect bites, so that it is easier for you to differentiate and, in case of doubt, you can take countermeasures more quickly can take.

1. Fleas

Flea bites and bedbug bites are practically indistinguishable from one another, as the symptoms of both are very similar. Fleas also bite repeatedly, and the swelling and reddening of the bites are the same as those of bed bugs. Differentiations are only to be made based on the time of a bite, because fleas also bite during the day and are not limited to the night.

If you have a dog or a cat, you should first look for fleas if there are suspicious traces - these are far more common than bed bugs, which is why a flea infestation is more likely. But not only animal owners are affected, because the pests can also get to you via wild birds and other wild animals - for example squirrels. With their strong jumping legs, the tiny animals hop up to 50 centimeters.

2. Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are widespread nuisances that make life difficult for you, especially near water - a small garden pond is enough for this - and on mild summer nights. Outwardly, mosquito and bug bites differ in the following features:

• Formation of swellings two to five millimeters in size
• localized and slightly reddened to whitish
• no blood point in the middle
• immediately very itchy
• not painful

As a rule, in contrast to bedbug bites, mosquito bites only occur sporadically, unless you have a whole mosquito invasion in your bedroom and consequently several bites.

3. Ticks

You don't always notice you Tick ​​bite as long as the tick is still on the skin. Sometimes only a coin-sized, flat reddening remains, which is evidence of the bloodsucker. In contrast to bedbug bites, tick bites are neither swollen nor itchy. Therefore, they can be identified comparatively well.

tip: But be careful: Since ticks can transmit serious diseases, see a doctor immediately as soon as the reddening spreads and the characteristic white ring forms around it. This can be an indication of Lyme disease, which must be treated with a special antibiotic regimen.

Is a bedbug bite dangerous?

Contrary to some other reports, bed bug bites are not dangerous. Scientific studies have shown that the pathogens of diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C or even the HI virus are present in the animals - after all, they ingest it with their nightly blood meal - however, transmission is unlikely because the pathogen is not in the bug itself multiply. As a result, a bedbug bite is considered unpleasant, but is harmless to health.

Other symptoms of a bedbug infestation

Since a bed bug infestation cannot be unequivocally determined based on the rather unspecific bite marks, you must consult other symptoms for identification. These include:

• Traces of feces in the bed linen
• Traces of blood in the bed linen
• dead bed bugs
• Nymph skins as remains after pupation
• smell reminiscent of coriander (rarely, only with very strong infestation!)

You will most likely not get to see the live animals, as they hide in small cracks and hiding spots during the day and only come out at night. They are about the size of a ladybug, oval-shaped and a solid brown color. In addition, bed bugs are very flat, only after a meal of blood do they swell to several times their actual body size.
Note: Bed bugs are not only a souvenir from holiday accommodations with dubious hygiene, but can also be transmitted via bats and birds. The animals are often found on sparrows, pigeons and domestic poultry.

Treat bed bug bites properly

If the itching bothers you, you can use various home remedies and medications to relieve it. For example, the following are suitable for this:

• Cool with clear water or a cooling pad
• Fenistilgel (pharmacy)
• cooling cream or gel with Aloe vera
• alternatively, cut open an aloe vera leaf and place it on the bite site
• low-dose and over-the-counter cream with cortisone or hydrocortisone (pharmacy)

In the rare event of an allergic reaction, it is advisable to see a doctor who will relieve symptoms with the help of antihistamines.