Although bedbug and spider bites have some similarities, there are ways to distinguish between them. Both sorts of bites can produce swelling, redness, and irritation. Spider bites are less common than bedbug bites, which usually appear in a straight line.
If you woke up with bites, it’s possible that they were caused by bedbugs.
According to a study published in 2012 by the American Society for Microbiology, bedbugs prefer to feed on human blood at night because they are attracted to the carbon dioxide and body heat that their hosts produce when sleeping.
Between the hours of 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., bedbugs are at their most active.
If you’re waking up with bites you didn’t have the night before, you may have a bedbug infestation that’s spreading throughout your home.
Bedbug bites are frequently in a row, whereas spider bites are usually single.
Bedbugs are the most likely perpetrators if you detect a line of red, itchy bites on your skin.
Because a single bedbug bites its host multiple times during a feeding session, bedbugs usually appear in a line or cluster.
According to the National Health Service of the United Kingdom, bedbug bites are most detected on the neck, hand, face, and arms.
Spiders, on the other hand, usually only bite once and from any location. In most cases, their bites are inadvertent or in response to a perceived threat.
Spider bites often leave noticeable puncture marks.
Spider bites typically produce tiny side-by-side puncture marks on the skin, which can easily be seen with the naked eye.
Bedbug bites, on the other hand, usually appear as small red dots with darker centers that swell or itch, especially if you’ve been bitten before because symptoms don’t always occur the first time.
Bedbug bites can be recurring, but spider bites are usually one-time events.
Symptoms of a normal spider bite include red or irritated skin surrounding the bite site, according to the Mayo Clinic. It’s possible that the bite will itch.
Common spider bites usually heal within a few days and do not cause any further problems.
However, you may notice new bites every day or every few days if you have bedbugs. If you don’t identify and eliminate them, they will continue to multiply and feed.
Bedbugs aren’t harmful, but spider bites can have major consequences.
Some spiders can bite you with poisonous bites. Only a few spider species have long enough fangs and strong enough venom to inflict a lethal bite on a human, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The cellar spider, the woodlouse spider, and the false-widow spider are all venomous spiders in the UK.
Poisonous spider bites can result in severe abdominal, back, or chest agony. Fever, chills, cramps, or profuse sweating are all possible symptoms.
The skin around the biting site may die within a few hours in extremely rare circumstances, or the bite site may develop into an open ulcer. A spider bite can also cause an allergic reaction that makes it difficult to breathe for some people.
If you detect any of these significant symptoms, you should get medical help right once.
If you think you’ve been bitten by bedbugs, look for symptoms of an infestation in your house.
Because bedbug infestations can spread quickly, it’s critical to act quickly to stop the problem if you find bites.
Brown spots or insect bites on mattresses, sofas, carpets, or curtains are examples.
If you notice evidence of an infestation, you should hire a professional to fumigate your property rather than attempting to solve the situation on your own.
Bites from bedbugs are treated in a variety of ways.
- Bedbug bites usually heal in one to two weeks in most situations.
- Apply anti-itch cream or calamine lotion to bites to help relieve discomfort.
- To relieve itching and burning, take an antihistamine.
- To relieve swelling and pain, take an over-the-counter pain medication.
Bedbug bites might cause allergic reactions in certain people. Call 911 if you see signs or symptoms of a significant allergic reaction.
Bedbug bites can sometimes result in a cellulitis infection. Wash the bites with soap and water and avoid scratching them to lessen the chance of infection. Find out when you should see your doctor for treatment.
Spider bites and their treatment
- Use an insect repellent that is licensed with the Environmental Protection Agency to protect yourself and your family from spider bites (EPA).
- Before bringing firewood into the home, keep it outdoors and inspect it for spiders.
- Before putting on your shoes, caps, or gloves, shake them to check for spiders.
- Use an insecticide, to treat clothing and shoes.
- When carrying wood, working in the garden, moving boulders, or in other outdoor situations, use gloves; in wooded areas, wear long sleeves and pants.