What do bites from bedbugs look like? - briefly
Bedbug bites manifest as tiny, red or reddish‑brown welts about 1–3 mm across. They usually occur in a line or cluster and can cause strong itching.
What do bites from bedbugs look like? - in detail
Bedbug bites typically appear as small, raised welts measuring 2–5 mm in diameter. The central area is often pale or slightly reddish, surrounded by a darker, inflamed halo. Individual lesions are usually flat to slightly convex and may develop a thin, white spot at the center as the skin reacts.
Key visual features include:
- Shape: Oval or circular, sometimes irregular if multiple insects bite close together.
- Color progression: Initial pinkish hue turns deeper red or purplish within hours; may fade to a lighter pink or brown after several days.
- Arrangement: Often grouped in clusters of three to five lesions, aligned in a linear or “breakfast‑cereal” pattern along exposed skin (neck, forearms, hands, face).
- Surface texture: Smooth, without vesicles or pustules; occasional central punctum where the insect probed.
- Duration: Redness and swelling peak within 24 hours, then gradually diminish over 5–10 days, leaving possible hyperpigmentation.
Accompanying symptoms are intense itching, occasional burning sensation, and occasional secondary irritation from scratching. Unlike mosquito or flea bites, bedbug lesions rarely exhibit a single, isolated puncture; they are characteristically multiple and may overlap, creating a patchy appearance. The reaction intensity varies with individual sensitivity; some people develop minimal signs, while others experience pronounced swelling and erythema.