Bed bug and mosquito bites are both red and itchy, and they may appear to be the same. They do, however, come from diverse organisms and have a few distinct traits.
Knowing the difference between the two allows people to react correctly to bites they receive and take precautions to avoid obtaining more.
This page compares bed bug and mosquito bites, as well as treatment options.
Bites from bedbugs
Individuals react differently to bed bug bites, just as they do to other bites, and these reactions might take hours or days to manifest.
Bed bug bites itch and irritate some people, while others get swelling, painful reactions.
Anaphylaxis, which begins with a feeling of the throat closing up, is a rare but severe allergic reaction. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction that affects the entire body.
Individuals are generally bitten by multiple bed bugs at once, commonly in groups of three to five. The bites themselves are red and itchy, with a blister on top of them occasionally.
Bed bugs feed on blood and are most active at night, thus bites are more likely to appear where the skin is exposed.
Bed bugs must eat at least once every 14 days in order to reproduce and breed, although they can go months or even years without eating.
Bite of a mosquito
Only female mosquitoes bite, and contact must persist at least 6 seconds for enough insect saliva to enter the bloodstream and induce a reaction.
Mosquito bites resemble red lumps in the center with a puncture wound. If a person is extremely sensitive, they may get welts or larger elevated areas.
Because of how the immune system reacts to mosquito saliva, the bites itch.
Mosquitoes are most likely to bite between sunset and daybreak, when it is dark. Mosquitoes may be attracted to carbon dioxide, human sweat, and warmth.
Differences in bite sizes
Mosquito bites and bed bug bites have varied effects on a person’s skin and in other ways.
Appearance
Bites from bed bugs frequently appear in clusters and follow a unique pattern, such as a line or a zigzag. Bites are most common in regions where a person exposes themselves while sleeping.
Mosquito bites, on the other hand, tend to be solitary and emerge at random on portions of the body that aren’t covered by clothing.
Time to react
Bed bug bites are usually not felt, and symptoms can appear hours or days later. Symptoms usually go away within a week or so if there is no further discomfort.
Mosquito bites, on the other hand, can be itchy and apparent right away. They usually improve within a day or two.
Infection
Mosquito bites can cause dangerous infections in addition to itching and irritation. These diseases kill more than 725,000 individuals each year, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Although mosquitos transmit a variety of diseases, the following are the most common:
- West Nile fever
- Dengue fever
- Zika
- Malaria
Symptoms
Bed bug bites and mosquito bites have different symptoms, which might help patients figure out which they have.
Bites from bedbugs
When traveling, people should examine their beds extensively for symptoms of bed bugs on mattresses and around the headboard to avoid bed insect bites. They should also avoid putting their baggage on the ground.
To avoid bed bug bites at home, follow these steps:
- Inspect objects brought into the house, such as clothing worn on travels and secondhand furniture.
- Cover mattresses with a bed bug-proof cover.
- minimize clutter as much as possible, as bed bugs are attracted to it.
- If you have a bed bug infestation, you’ll probably need to engage a professional pest control company that specializes in bed bugs to get rid of them completely.
- Mosquito bites can be avoided by taking the following steps:
- Eliminate mosquito breeding grounds by removing standing water from pet dishes, buckets, toys, and other containers, as well as changing the water in a birdbath at least once a week.
- Check for holes in bug screens for windows and doors.
- When going outside, wear long-sleeved shirts and slacks, especially in the woods, at dusk, and other places where mosquitoes like to feed.
- Wear bug repellent, especially if you’re going outside.
- Outside, if appropriate, install yellow “bug” light bulbs, which will not repel bugs but will attract less.
Bite of a mosquito
Most people experience itchy, red bumps with puncture holes in the middle as a result of mosquito bites. They normally show a few hours or days after the bite has occurred.
People who are allergic to mosquito bites may have the following symptoms:
- Hives
- Blisters
- Fever
- Swollen joints
- Anaphylaxis, which occurs in people who have severe allergies.
Treatment
Unless an individual has a severe allergic reaction, neither bed bug bites nor mosquito bites usually necessitate medical attention.
Although anaphylaxis is a rare reaction to these types of bug bites, anyone who feels their throat shutting up should seek medical attention right once.
The following are the basic stages in treating bed bug or mosquito bites:
- cleanse the bites with soap and water .
- Avoid scratching, as this can irritate or tear the skin, producing subsequent problems.
- Protecting the skin with antiseptic lotions and anti-itch creams and relieving itching by keeping the affected region clean and dry.
- If necessary, using an over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine.
Prevention
There are a few things that people can take to reduce their chance of being bitten by insects.
What else could it possibly be?
Bed bugs and mosquitoes aren’t always to blame for itching, red pimples. Other possible perpetrators include:
- Fleabites: Fleabites, like bed bug bites, often emerge in clusters.
- Flies: A fly bite can cause skin irritation and blisters.
- Spider bites: Spider bites can swell and grow red, and certain spider bites can be fatal.
- Mites: Scabies is a form of mite that burrows into the skin and creates tunnels, producing irritation and itching.
When should you see a doctor?
Most of the time, bed bugs and mosquito bites do not necessitate a visit to the doctor.
If an individual has a severe allergic reaction to the bites or develops secondary infections because of the bite, there are two exceptions.
The following are signs that someone should see a doctor:
- If your throat feels like it’s closing, get care right away.
- A high number of bites.
- Fever, swelling, hives, blisters, or puss.
- No relief from over-the-counter anti-itch drugs.
Bites from bed bugs and mosquitoes are extremely common. Even though they can be very uncomfortable and irritating, they rarely require medical care and normally go away within a few days.
Taking precautions to avoid future exposure to bed bugs and mosquitoes, as well as working diligently to eradicate bed bugs, can help to reduce future bites.