Understanding what to do when you spot the tell-tale rash associated with bed bug activity is essential if you want to rid your home of them properly. You may know what a bed bug looks like but what, exactly, should you be looking for in terms of bed bug rash symptoms? Bed bug rash is not really a rash at all. It’s actually from the bed bug’s saliva and it usually happens in the area of skin where you were bitten by the bed bug. The fact that it’s not called a “bed bug rash” doesn’t stop it from causing itching and red bumps in the affected areas though. The biggest question people ask is what do bed bug bites look like and how to know if they have bed bugs. Bed bug rashes are normally red blotchy bumps that itch like crazy. In addition to the rash some people will get welts. The welts normally appear in a line or opposite on the skin. There have been cases where the rash has been mistaken for other conditions such as hives, shingles and allergic to latex.

Bed Bug Rash Symptoms

Introduction

In this article, we’ll discuss what causes a bed bug rash, what symptoms accompany it, and most importantly, how to get relief from this irritating condition.

Bed bugs are parasites that feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals, including humans.

Bed bugs are a type of parasitic insect that feeds on the blood of warm-blooded animals. They’re about as big as an apple seed, and have six legs. Bed bug bites are painless, so you might not notice them right away.

They don’t spread disease to people, but they can cause itchy welts on the skin when they bite someone. If your home is infested with bed bugs (and you don’t know why), there’s a chance that they’ll come into contact with any children or pets in your household as well.

Bed bugs are attracted to carbon dioxide exhaled by humans—they’ll follow it right into our bedrooms at night! That’s how we often get bit: while we’re asleep in bed!

The bite of a bed bug is painless and typically goes unnoticed.

• Identify a bed bug bite. A bed bug bite is painless and goes unnoticed because the little critters tend to feed at night while you’re sleeping. They are also very small, so it’s hard to see them unless they have been feeding on you for some time and have swelled up from all the blood they’ve consumed. The only way to identify a bed bug bite is by its appearance: red welts or flat lumps that may be scaly or blister-filled. Bed bugs don’t carry disease, but their bites can cause itching and swelling for up to ten days. If you suspect that your house has been infested with these pests, contact an exterminator immediately!
• Treat your bed bug bites with over-the-counter remedies like calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream—both of which contain antihistamines that reduce itching and redness —and avoid scratching at them as much as possible (which may lead to infection).
• Prevent future occurrences by following these tips: * Wash sheets in hot water every week * Vacuum carpets often * Install mattress encasements (washable ones work best)

About half of individuals who are bitten do not exhibit any symptoms, while others may have an allergic reaction to the bites.

About half of individuals who are bitten do not exhibit any symptoms, while others may have an allergic reaction to the bites. If you are allergic to the bites, you may experience a wide range of reactions including:

• Itching and swelling around the bite site
• Hives or rash (redness, bumps and/or blisters) on other parts of your body
• Wheezing or shortness of breath (because allergies can cause an asthma attack)

A bed bug rash usually develops within seconds or minutes of exposure.

Like most other allergic reactions, bed bug bites can cause a rash in some people. The rash may develop immediately or it may take up to 14 days. Bed bug bites are painless and typically go unnoticed because of their size and number on the body.

Symptoms may include a raised welt, inflammation, redness, itching and irritation.

If you think you have bed bug rash, expect to see:

• A raised welt, inflammation, redness and irritation around the bite.
• Itching.

If you have a rash that persists for more than two weeks or if it does not improve after one week of treatment (even with antihistamine), see your doctor for medical advice.

You may also see:

• Small blisters on the skin (after several days) where there were bites previously. These blisters are usually filled with blood and pus but can be very tiny in size (less than 1mm).

The good news is that bed bug rashes typically get better within 2 weeks without any treatment needed at all – although if they don’t go away after two weeks then getting an oral steroid could help speed up recovery time dramatically!

A doctor can diagnose a bed bug rash by performing a physical exam and taking a medical history.

A doctor can diagnose a bed bug rash by performing a physical exam and taking a medical history. A diagnosis may be difficult to make without the rash actually being present, but there are other symptoms that can help doctors make an accurate diagnosis. For example, if you have been bitten by bed bugs and you have rashes on your legs or arms that mimic the shape of their bite marks, your doctor will most likely conclude that the rashes are from bed bug bites.

Other possible causes for rashes include eczema, allergic reactions to medications or cosmetics, contact dermatitis (a type of allergic reaction), scabies (another type of insect-borne skin infection), irritant contact dermatitis (caused by exposure to irritating substances like detergents) and staph infections. It is also possible for people with serious illnesses such as HIV/AIDS or diabetes insipidus (a rare genetic condition) to experience intense itching as part of their symptoms. Because there are many different conditions with similar symptoms as those caused by bed bug bites, it is often wise to see a health care provider if you have any questions about whether or not what you’re experiencing could be related to something else besides bed bugs.[3]

Treatment for a bed bug rash depends on its severity.

Treatment for a bed bug rash depends on its severity. For mild cases, you may be able to treat the rash with over-the-counter (OTC) solutions or natural remedies such as calamine lotion and antihistamines. If your rash becomes infected, you should see a doctor for treatment with prescription medicines.

Bed bug prevention is another way to avoid getting these rashes in the future. You can do this by inspecting your home regularly for signs of infestation and by keeping your home clean and tidy so that bed bugs don’t have places to hide during the day. If you suspect that you have an infestation, contact a professional exterminator who will come out and inspect your home to determine if it needs treatment immediately or if it can wait until after they finish treating other homes first since most companies take at least two weeks between each visit due to scheduling conflicts with clients who live close together geographically but not necessarily temporally (ex: my neighbor’s family all lives within 10 miles from each other).

It’s important to seek treatment from a medical professional if you suspect that you have a bed bug bite rash.

It’s important to seek treatment from a medical professional if you suspect that you have a bed bug bite rash. A doctor can prescribe medications to help relieve symptoms and reduce itching, including:

• Oral steroids
• Antihistamines (for example, Benadryl)

In some cases, a doctor may also prescribe an antibiotic or anti-fungal medication (such as Clotrimazole) if they believe there is an underlying bacterial infection related to your rash.

Conclusion

The symptoms of bed bugs and their bites can be challenging to identify. However, it’s important to know the signs so you can get rid of these pests before they spread or cause more severe damage. In addition to a rash, other symptoms include tiny welts on your body (which are usually about the size of a mosquito bite). If you think you may have been bitten by one of these insects, contact an exterminator immediately.