What does a bed bug look like under the skin? - briefly
Under the skin, a bed‑bug bite appears as a small, raised, reddish welt often surrounded by a lighter halo, sometimes with a tiny puncture point at the center. The reaction may itch and swell, forming a cluster of similar bumps if several insects bite nearby.
What does a bed bug look like under the skin? - in detail
A bed‑bug feeding site appears as a small, raised papule typically 2‑5 mm in diameter. The lesion is often erythematous, with a pink to reddish hue that may darken to a brownish‑black spot where the insect’s mouthparts penetrated the epidermis. The central punctum can be visible as a tiny, slightly depressed point surrounded by a halo of swelling.
The reaction evolves over time. Within minutes, a faint red macule forms; within hours, the area enlarges and becomes a firm, pruritic bump. After 24–48 hours, the center may develop a dark crust or necrotic spot, while the surrounding erythema fades gradually. Healing usually takes several days, leaving a residual hyperpigmented mark.
Key visual characteristics:
- Size: 2–5 mm, sometimes up to 8 mm if inflammation is pronounced.
- Shape: round or oval, with well‑defined borders.
- Color progression: pink/red → brownish‑black central punctum → possible crust.
- Texture: raised, firm, often itchy; central point may feel slightly indented.
- Distribution: linear or clustered pattern, reflecting the insect’s crawling path.
Differential clues: unlike mosquito bites, which are often isolated and exhibit a central puncture without a dark spot, bed‑bug lesions frequently appear in groups of three or more, aligned in a “break‑fast‑lunch‑dinner” pattern. Flea bites tend to be smaller and surrounded by a halo of redness, while the dark central point is distinctive for bed‑bug feeding.