Various signs and symptoms of skin bites from bed bugs

Have you ever noticed that the skin on your hands or feet suddenly feels itchy and red when you wake up? If so, you could be bitten by bed bugs. This little pest of course makes you irritated and uncomfortable while sleeping.

However, you may not be completely sure whether it is really due to bed bugs or mosquitoes. To make it clearer, let's look at the following skin symptoms of bed bug bites.

Where do bed bugs hide?

Even though it's called bed bugs, this little pest doesn't just land on the bed, you know. Bed bugs can also hide in carpets, curtains, sofas, or other furniture in the house.

But indeed, this type of lice more often hides in between damp mattresses due to accumulated sweat or dust. As soon as night falls, bed bugs will be active and start biting your skin while sleeping until early morning.

Signs and symptoms of skin bites from bed bugs

You may often become unconscious when you get a bed bug bite. The reason is, the symptoms caused by the bed bug bite do not immediately make your skin inflamed right away.

Bed bugs will release a small amount of anesthetic into your body before they bite. That's why your skin will react to bed bug bites and feel itchy a few days after, as reported by Healthline.

Many people find it difficult to distinguish which symptoms of itchy skin due to mosquito bites and which are caused by bed bugs. Although both cause itching, the following are typical symptoms of skin from bed bug bites:

• Reddish and swollen skin, usually on the face, neck, shoulders, hands and feet. Meanwhile, mosquito bite marks appear more frequently on the heels and hands.
• Inflammation of the skin forming clusters or bumps. Meanwhile, mosquito bite marks are generally in the form of separate reddish bumps.
• There are small, dry blood spots on the bed sheets or clothes worn while sleeping.

When to see a doctor

Even though it seems trivial, some people can experience excessive allergic reactions due to bed bug bites. This condition is called anaphylactic shock. Especially if you are allergic to insect bites, you may experience:

• Fever
• Hard to breathe
• Blistered skin
• Nausea
• Swollen tongue
• Irregular heartbeat

But you don't need to worry. Bed bug bites will not transmit other dangerous diseases, really. The important thing is to consult a doctor immediately if the allergic reaction that appears tends to be excessive and interfere with your sleep every night.