Bed Bug Bites: Pictures, Treatment, And Prevention

Maybe your like

Medical News TodaySubscribeBedbug bites: What you need to know

Medically reviewed by Joan Paul, MD, MPH, DTMH — Written by Jennifer Huizen — Updated on April 14, 2025

Bed bugs
Symptoms
Pictures
Complications
Treatment
Identification
Where to find them
FAQ
Summary

Bedbug bite sores appear as raised, itchy bumps. They can occur from a few seconds to several weeks following a bite. Antihistamines and hydrocortisone may help reduce itching and irritation.

On light skin tones, bedbug bites usually look pink or red. On darker skin tones, they may be purple and less noticeable.

There are several ways to reduce the chances of getting bitten by bedbugs. Treatment options include good hygiene and antihistamines.

This article explores bedbug bite treatment and prevention methods in detail.

Bedbugs

A bed bug on skin. — picture alliance/Getty Images

Bedbugs are small parasitic insects that feed on human blood.

While they are a public health concern, bedbugs are not known to transmit disease through their bites.

Bedbugs use a small tube-like structure called a proboscis to pierce the skin and drink a person’s blood. The pests are most active when humans are asleep, during the night and early morning.

Bite symptoms

Most bedbug bites will produce some degree of discomfort, typically itchiness and inflammation. Other signs and symptoms of bedbug bites include:

a burning, painful sensation
a raised, itchy bump with a clear center
a red or purplish itchy bump with a dark center and lighter swollen surrounding area
small red bumps or welts in a zigzag pattern or a line, often in a pattern of three
small red bumps surrounded by blisters or hives
papular eruptions or areas of skin with raised or flat patches that may be inflamed
small spots of blood from bites often dried or stained onto sheets or bed clothing
reddish or reddish-brown dried stains on fabrics due to bedbug droppings
white or clear skins, shed by the nymphs as they mature

Itchy welts can occur within a few days of a bite but may take up to 14 days. People may become increasingly sensitive to bedbug bites and develop a reaction quicker the more bites they get, sometimes within seconds. Without further irritation, symptoms typically resolve after a week.

While fairly rare, some people develop severe reactions and symptoms from bedbug bites. Serious symptoms that require medical attention include:

difficulty breathing
blisters
fever
feeling nauseous or flu-like
swollen tongue
irregular heartbeat

»Learn more:Identifying bedbug and flea bites

What is the most common spot for bedbug bites?

Bedbugs can bite on any area of skin. Typically, bites tend to occur on areas exposed during sleeping, such as:

neck
face
hands
shoulders
arms
legs

Pictures

Complications

Living with bedbugs can cause additional health complications:

Increased likelihood of infection: Infection is more likely when there is damage to the skin’s surface.
Sleep deprivation: Anxiety about bedbugs actively feeding during the night can be stressful. Some people may avoid sleep or will only get fitful or restless sleep.
Decreased well-being: Repeated poor sleep may be linked to depression, anxiety, general fatigue, and lowered immune function. Misconceptions about bedbugs, especially the mistaken association with a lack of cleanliness, can worsen these problems.

»MORE:Get care for insect bites and stings in as little as 15 minutes with Optum Now Online Care.

Optum Now is operated by RVO Health. By clicking on this link, we may receive a commission. Learn more.

Treatment

There are relatively few treatment options when it comes to uncomplicated bedbug bites. The first line of treatment involves cleaning the wound, ideally with soap and water. The following treatments may relieve minor bite symptoms:

over-the-counter (OTC) hydrocortisone cream
anti-itch creams
antihistamines

A person should seek medical attention if severe swelling, inflammation, or itchiness occurs or persists.

A dramatic immune response may be a sign of an allergic reaction. If this is the case, a person may need the following treatments:

an injectable corticosteroid
antihistamine
epinephrine injection

If an infection occurs, doctors may prescribe antibiotics.

Severe itchiness may result in further complications, such as infection or scarring. If people experience severe itching, a doctor may prescribe corticosteroid creams and antihistamine pills or liquid.

Identification

Knowing how to identify bedbugs may help prevent exposure and potential infestations.

Common characteristics of nymphs (young bedbugs) include:

less than 5 millimeters (mm) in length
whitish-yellow or clear-colored
invisible without a microscope or magnifying glass

The nymphs are easier to see if they have just fed and have blood filling their abdomen. This gives them a reddish-brown color.

Adult bedbugs are typically easier to spot than nymphs. Characteristics of most adult bedbugs include:

an oval-shaped body
the size of an apple seed
a body that is fairly flat until it feeds
reddish-brown to light-brown or tan
5 to 7 mm long
three segments, an antenna with four parts, short yellow hairs, and unusable wings
a musty or stale-sweet scent released by glands on the underbelly

Controlling bedbugs involves identifying and removing or destroying the eggs. Characteristics of bedbug eggs include:

tiny barrel-shaped, pearl-colored specks, no bigger than the head of a pin
an eye-like spot may develop after a few days

Where to find them

Bedbugs often seek refuge in the cracks and crevices of furniture, flooring, walls, and mattresses. The seams and folds of upholstered furniture can also offer an ideal hiding place, as can vacuum canisters.

The insects tend to pick hiding spots near bedrooms. Bedbugs found in other rooms usually indicate a severe infestation.

Items commonly responsible for spreading bedbugs include:

used or secondhand furniture
new furniture or textiles exposed to bedbugs during transit
items of luggage
chairs or loungers where people fall asleep
bedding
moving or storage boxes
shipped items, especially if held at several locations or warehouses

Bedbugs do not have a preference between sanitary, messy, or unsanitary conditions.

»Discover:How to get rid of bedbugs

Frequently asked questions

How do you tell if a bite is from a bedbug?

A person can tell if a bite is from a bedbug by the following:

Bites usually appear on areas of skin exposed while sleeping, such as the face, neck, and arms.

Spots of blood will be visible on a person’s bedding. This is from the bites or from squashing the bedbug while sleeping.

Small brown spots will appear on bedding or furniture. This is bedbug poo.

On white skin, bedbug bites usually look red.

On black or brown skin, bedbugs may look purple and may be harder to see.

A person can tell if a bite is from a bedbug by the following:

Bites usually appear on areas of skin exposed while sleeping, such as the face, neck, and arms.

Spots of blood will be visible on a person’s bedding. This is from the bites or from squashing the bedbug while sleeping.

Small brown spots will appear on bedding or furniture. This is bedbug poo.

On white skin, bedbug bites usually look red.

On black or brown skin, bedbugs may look purple and may be harder to see.

How long does bedbug bite stay?

Bedbug bites usually heal and go away within a week or two.

How do you get rid of bedbug bites overnight?

To get rid of bedbug bites promptly, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends:

Wash the bites with soap and water. This will help prevent a skin infection and help reduce itchiness.

If the bites itch, apply a corticosteroid cream. A weak form of this medication, hydrocortisone, is available at local drugstores and does not require a prescription.

To get rid of bedbug bites promptly, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends:

Wash the bites with soap and water. This will help prevent a skin infection and help reduce itchiness.
If the bites itch, apply a corticosteroid cream. A weak form of this medication, hydrocortisone, is available at local drugstores and does not require a prescription.

Summary

Bedbugs typically hide in bedrooms and feed on human blood during the night. The resulting bite can take up to 14 days to appear but may develop within seconds.

Treatment for bedbug bites may include hydrocortisone cream, anti-itch creams, and antihistamines. If infection occurs due to scratching, doctors may prescribe antibiotics.

Read the article in Spanish.

Allergy
Bites and Stings
Depression
Dermatology
Public Health
Sleep / Sleep Disorders / Insomnia

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Bedbugs. (2022).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bedbugs/
Bedbugs: Overview. (n.d.).https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/itchy-skin/bedbugs
Introduction to bed bugs. (2024).https://www.epa.gov/bedbugs/introduction-bed-bugs

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Joan Paul, MD, MPH, DTMH — Written by Jennifer Huizen — Updated on April 14, 2025

Latest news

6-week keto diet may help with treatment-resistant depression
Shingles vaccination linked to lower dementia risk, more evidence suggests
AI model offers earlier dementia warnings and better brain cancer detection
Could being a night owl or early bird affect weight loss and muscle strength?
AI-applied CT abdominal scans may predict fall risk years in advance

Popular in: Bites and Stings

What are the best natural mosquito repellents?
All you need to know about spider bites
What to know about skeeter syndrome
What to know about fly bites
How to identify fleabites and bed bug bites

Related Coverage

The differences between bed bug bites and mosquito bitesMedically reviewed by Cynthia Taylor Chavoustie, MPAS, PA-C
What are the differences between bed bug bites and mosquito bites? Find out here how to tell them apart and how to treat and prevent them.
READ MORE
9 of the best bedbug mattress coversMedically reviewed by Gregory Minnis, DPT
A bed bug mattress cover may help prevent bed bugs from getting into a mattress or escaping an infested one. Learn about some of the best bed bug…
READ MORE
Bed bug sprays: What to look for and optionsMedically reviewed by Vincent J. Tavella DVM, MPH
Bed bugs are a public health pest. Learn more about how to identify bed bugs, what to look for in a bed bug spray, and which products to try.
READ MORE
What to know about caterpillar rashMedically reviewed by Dominique Fontaine, BSN, RN, HNB-BC, HWNC-BC
Caterpillar rash, which doctors may call lepidopterism, occurs when a person comes into contact with certain species of butterfly or moth caterpillars.
READ MORE
Can mosquitoes spread SARS-CoV-2? Experts weigh in
Can mosquitoes ever carry and spread SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19? We asked the experts to weigh in.
READ MORE

Tag » What Do A Bedbug Look Like

Health Conditions

Health Products

News

Original Series

Podcasts

General Health

Health Tools

Quizzes

About Medical News Today

Find Community

Follow Us