What do bed bug bites and lice bites look like? - briefly
Bed‑bug bites manifest as small, red, raised welts, frequently arranged in linear or clustered patterns and often cause intense itching. Lice bites present as tiny, pinpoint red spots, commonly located on the neck, shoulders, and scalp, with mild irritation and no specific pattern.
What do bed bug bites and lice bites look like? - in detail
Bed‑bug bites appear as small, raised welts ranging from 1 mm to 5 mm in diameter. The centre is often pale or slightly reddish, surrounded by a darker, inflamed halo. Individual marks may be clustered in linear or “break‑fast‑cereal” patterns, reflecting the insect’s feeding habit of moving along the skin and biting at intervals of 2–5 cm. Typical locations include exposed areas such as the forearms, ankles, neck, and face, though bites can occur anywhere the insect can reach. Reactions develop within a few hours; itching intensity varies, and secondary scratching may produce excoriations or hyperpigmentation.
Lice bites present as pinpoint punctures, usually 0.5 mm to 2 mm, with a central dot surrounded by a faint red halo. The lesions are often isolated rather than grouped, though multiple bites may be observed in close proximity when an infestation is heavy. Preferred sites correspond to the species: head lice affect the scalp, neck, and behind the ears; body lice target the waist, hips, and thighs, especially where clothing fits tightly. Symptoms emerge quickly, often within minutes, and include intense itching that can lead to erythema and secondary infection if the skin is broken.
Key distinguishing features:
- Size: bed‑bug welts larger than lice punctures.
- Pattern: bed‑bug marks frequently form rows or clusters; lice marks are generally solitary.
- Location: bed‑bug bites occur on exposed skin; lice bites align with hair‑covered or clothing‑covered regions.
- Onset: both appear shortly after feeding, but bed‑bug reactions may be delayed in some individuals, whereas lice bites provoke immediate itching.
Recognition of these visual cues aids accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.