Bed Bug Rash

What is a bed bug rash and what does it look like?

Most people will develop a bed bug rash that consists of small red bump (called pruritic maculopapular or an erythematous lesion), at the area where the bedbug bite occurred.  In allergic individuals, each bed bug that feeds on the human host's skin will leave behind a bump or red rash area.

Bed bug rash can vary between people.  A minority will show no symptoms when bitten by a bed bug other than a small puncture at the site of the bite.

(Source: CT Gov)

The time it takes to develop a reaction to the bed bug bite varies between people.  It can range from an hour to 14 days later.  The size of the red bumps could vary from 3/8 of an inch to 2 to 3 inches.

Highly allergic or people that are repeatedly bitten may have a more pronounced reaction such as a wheal (welt) and even blisters.

In many people, the skin reaction that appears each time they are bitten gets progressively worse. 

Bites from a bed bug infestation are most often seen on the head, arms, shoulders and neck.  Bite marks can appear on other areas of the body, but are rare on the face and bottoms of the feet.  It is not unusual for a straight line pattern to appear, particularly if an arm is resting against a mattress seam where an infestation is hiding.

Bed Bug Rash

Some individuals get a rash which can occur days after a bite.  Often the rash area is scratched which causes the area to become infected.  Infections could last on the skin for weeks.

Infection (known as a secondary infection since it was caused by another condition), can result in folliculitis (inflammation where the skin meets each hair), cellulites (bacterial infection just below the skin surface).

Other Reactions to Bed Bug Bites

In some cases, humans are at a health risk and can suffer from:

• asthma
• urticaria (elevated patches on skin, swelling)
•  In some cases anaphylaxis. (immediate and severe life threatening allergic reaction including constriction of the throat which restricts breathing.)

Bed bugs do not spread disease, but can trigger allergic reactions that result in what is listed above.

Treatments for Bed Bug Rash

Over the counter anti-itch and anti-biotic ointments are usually all that is needed.   If rash areas are infected and are not healing on their own, be sure to see a Doctor as an oral anti-biotic or prescription cream may be needed.

An over-the-counter anti-itch cream may also help such as Aveeno.  A Doctor will treat chronic reactions with medications such as epinephrine, corticosteroids and antihistamines.

What Else Could it Be?

Bed bug bites are often misdiagnosed. Insects that produce similar symptoms and signs in humans could be from other insects such as:

• Scabies (can be confirmed with a skin scraping)
• Mosquito bites
• Flea bites (small bites or spots on lower legs)
• Food allergy
• Antibiotic reaction
• Chiggers
• Eczema
• Skin infection
• Staphylococcus infections
• Chicken pox

All of the causes mentioned above need to be ruled out before a diagnosis is reached.

The only way to make a diagnosis is to find and identify a bed bug infestation in your home or apartment.

Look for signs of bed bugs such as eggs glued on surfaces,  stains on bedding such as a mattress seam (black or blood red marks). Check around furniture located near the bed and cracks in the walls for a bed bug infestation.

references

Goddard, Jerome PDH, deShazo, Richard MD

London Pest Group