Bedbug bites don't always cause a skin reaction. And, even if they do, the bites can look like those from many other insects, experts say. So, how can you identify bedbug bites properly? Taking a look at pictures of the bites — and keeping an eye out for the telltale signs of an infestation — will help.
While they don't spread diseases, bedbugs are parasites that feed on your blood, leing you with itchy bites and sleepless nights. And, the unfortunate truth is that they exist pretty much everywhere, which means that even staying at a fancy, five-star hotel isn’t a guarantee that you won't come across them.
Indeed, the bugs live across the globe, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say, and they’ve been found in parts of North and South America, Europe, Asia and Africa.
But bedbugs are surprisingly sneaky creatures. They typically bite while you’re asleep, making it hard to catch them in the act. And it's not unusual that the itchy, red marks they lee behind are the only noticeable sign you he them in your home.
So, knowing what bedbug bites look like can make identifying the marks that much easier, the experts say. That's also crucial so that you can get your bites treated and the infestation addressed as quickly as possible.
If you think your home might be infested with bedbugs, here's what you should know — according to experts.
What to know about bedbugsConsidering how common and annoying bedbugs are, it’s surprisingly challenging to actually find evidence of them in your home.
“Bedbugs are kind of a cryptic species," Matt Frye, Ph.D., an entomologist and educator with the New York State Integrated Pest Management Program at Cornell University, tells TODAY.com.
Bedbugs generally "like to hide and they don’t want to be detected,” Frye explains. They prefer to live in places that are cramped, dark and near their food source: your body. Yes, bedbugs are parasitic insects that bite people and eat their blood.
That's why bedbugs are more likely to be hiding in areas of your home where you spend a lot of time while staying still, such as your bed, couch or forite comfy chair, Lynn Kimsey, Ph.D., distinguished professor of entomology and director of the UC Dis Bohart Museum of Entomology, tells TODAY.com.
“You can assume that they’re going to be somewhere near where you spend a lot of time in the dark,” Kimsey says.
But you can still spot them — as long as you know what you're looking for.
You might spot the rust-colored stains they lee behind on sheets or couch cushions, for instance. Or you might even find a few of the delicate exoskeletons that bedbugs shed along a windowsill or in the corners of your baseboards.
That said, frequently, those itchy, red clusters of bedbug bites are the only recognizable sign that you’re dealing with a bedbug infestation. And even that isn't always a given.
Many people don't actually develop an obvious skin reactions after being bitten by a bedbug, the CDC notes. And even if they do find itchy, inflamed bites, it's easy to assume they're from other insects, like mosquitoes.
What do bedbug bites look like?For some people, bedbug bites cause skin rashes that are itchy and swell. And different people can react to bedbug bites in a variety of different ways.
A bedbug bite most commonly develops into a single red itchy bump, dermatologist Dr. Benjamin N. Ungar tells TODAY.com. There can also be a flat red area of skin surrounding the bump itself, he adds. Additional bites each develop into their own bump, potentially forming a cluster or line of distinct bites.
For some people, the skin reaction to a bedbug bite can be as small as a pinprick, Frye says. But others can he “fairly exuberant” reactions, adds Ungar. Depending on the person, bedbug bites might look similar to flea bites, mosquito bites or spider bites. Or bedbug bites might not be noticeable at all.
With so much variety in skin reactions, it can be challenging — and often impossible — to identify bedbug bites from the bites alone, Frye says.
“There’s nothing truly unique about lesions caused by bedbugs” that can be used to diagnose them, says Ungar, who is the director of the Alopecia Center of Excellence and director of the Rosacea and Seborrheic Dermatitis Clinic at Mount Sinai.
While there are some clues to determine if you he bedbug bites, "they're by no means foolproof," Ungar adds.
Bedbug bite picturesIn general, bedbug bites may cause:
RednessItchinessRaised, inflamed skin bumpsHere are a few photos of bedbug bites to give you a better idea of what they can look like:
Red, itchy bites may be the only obvious sign that you he a bedbug infestation, experts say.Alamy
Bedbugs tend to be lazy and often bite in a "breakfast, lunch and dinner" line pattern.Getty Images
Bedbug bites can look like bites from many other critters, including mosquitoes.Joel Carillet / Getty Images
Not everyone develops a noticeable reaction after a bedbug bite. And some people he very mild reactions.Getty Images / iStockphotoOther bedbug bite symptomsAt the more extreme end of the spectrum, people may he reactions all over their bodies.
“A part of their body that wasn’t touched or bitten by bedbugs can start itching,” Frye says. “They can he whole-body sensations as a result of the proteins that are injected through the saliva.”
In rare cases, people can develop severe allergic reactions to bedbug bites, Ungar says, which can include symptoms such as:
Itching in places that weren't bittenTrouble breathingSwelling in the tongue or lipsSymptoms like these indicate a serious, potentially life-threatening reaction that requires immediate medical attention, Ungar says.
Hing bedbugs or being concerned that you might he an infestation can also lead to mental distress and symptoms such as insomnia and anxiety, Frye says.
Pictures of other common bug bites:What do tick bites look like? What do chigger bites look like? What do spider bites look like?11 common bug bites and photos to help you identify them Where do bedbugs bite?Bedbugs can bite any area of your skin that isn't tightly covered, including your legs, arms and back.
"They tend to be fairly lazy, to be honest," Kimsey says. Usually, that means they bite areas of skin closest to the surface they're walking on, which may be the side of your legs that's closest to the mattress.
Bedbugs also tend to lee bites in clusters or in a line that's sometimes referred to as a "breakfast, lunch and dinner" pattern, Ungar explains. "Again, that's because it's easy," Kimsey says.
When do bedbugs bite?"They're going to be most likely to feed on you when you're immobile for any length of time," Kimsey says. Most often that's when you're sleeping during the night. But bedbugs can also bite when you're immobile for shorter lengths of time, like while napping or watching TV on the couch.
Depending on their age, bedbugs may feed for anywhere between five to 15 minutes at a time, Frye says. They may spend that whole time in one place or they might move around trying to find the ideal spot on your skin, leing multiple bites along the way.
“If there are a couple of adult bugs that are all feeding at the same time, you can probably he five to 10 bites that are from those two to three bugs,” he explains.
Where do bedbugs live?Bedbugs can live in any dark, compact space, Kimsey says, like the folds along the seams or piping of a mattress or sofa.
"They really prefer to be located as close to a food source as possible," Frye says. "And in this case, the food source is going to be people." Bedbugs can also be skittish and easily scared by a food source that moves, so they prefer to strike while people are immobile, like when they're asleep.
That’s why they’re most often found in areas of the bedroom that are close to where people sleep, like the headboard or crevices in the wall or floorboards, Frye says. “They can fit into very tiny cracks that are the thickness of a credit card, and they will actually aggregate in those areas.”
When bedbugs aren't feeding, "they tend to retreat" into those crevices, as well as places like electrical outlets or even inside computers, Kimsey says.
How to treat bedbug bitesThe first thing to do, the experts agree, is to investigate whether or not you truly he bedbugs — which means calling in professional pest control.
There are ways to manage the bites, but “unless the underlying issue of the bedbug presence is addressed, then there’s a high likelihood that new lesions will develop,” Ungar says.
To manage itchiness and skin irritation, Ungar suggests:
Taking an oral antihistamine. At night, a sedating antihistamine (such as Benadryl) can ease the itching and help you sleep, Ungar says. During the day, try a non-drowsy option, such as Zyrtec, Allegra, Claritin or Xyzal.Using an over-the-counter topical hydrocortisone product.Trying an over-the-counter topical antihistamine.The over-the-counter topical options aren't usually effective on bedbug bites, Ungar says, but are still worth trying. If you don't he success with those, a dermatologist can prescribe stronger versions of those medications that are more likely to help, he says.
Checking in with your doctor or dermatologist can also help you determine exactly what type of skin issue you’re dealing with.
Bug bites, eczema and even hives “can show up in different ways that are not always easy to spot,” Ungar explains. And it’s not easy for people who don’t he prior experience with them to figure out on their own what their skin is really trying to tell them.
Signs you might he a bedbug infestationIn many cases, people only notice the bites. And it can take a lot of training to pick up on the other signs that you he a bedbug infestation, Kimsey says. "It's so hard to find their resting places," she says.
But, as Frye noted, it can be difficult to identify conclusively that your bites are from bedbugs without other signs of infestation.
You might notice these signs:
Black or rust-colored "fecal stains" might appear on bedding or near where the bugs are holding up, Frye says. These are the result of oxidized iron in blood they've eaten and excreted, Kimsey explains.Keep an eye out for exoskeletons that are left behind when bedbugs shed, Frye says. "That can cling to fabric and other material near where they are molting," he explains.A faint tangy smell, which is more noticeable with severe infestations, Kimsey says.You might also see live bedbugs, Frye says. They'll typically stay close to where they feed, so you're more likely to spot them in the bedroom than the kitchen or bathroom, Kimsey says.