Chigger Bites Vs. Bed Bug Bites: Telling Them Apart - Healthline

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HealthlineSubscribeBites and StingsIs It a Bedbug or a Chigger Bite?

Medically reviewed by Avi Varma, MD, MPH, AAHIVS, FAAFP — Written by Natalie Silver — Updated on February 28, 2025

Bedbug bite symptoms
Chigger bite symptoms
Reaction times
Pictures
Treatment
Seeking medical help
Prevention
Takeaway

Small raised bumps on your skin may have multiple causes. Two common culprits include bed bugs and chiggers. Both are parasites living off the blood of people or animals.

Bedbug and chigger bites may look similar, but bed bugs and chiggers live in different environments.

Bedbug and chigger bites can be uncomfortable and irritating but not a risk to your overall health.

Bed bugs live near sleeping quarters. You may find evidence of bed bugs if you notice brown or red spots on your sheets. You may also smell something sweet and musty if bed bugs are nearby.

Chiggers live in groups or clusters, and when they attach to your body, they may feed off of it for several hours or days if you do not wash yourself or scratch them off. You may feel them on your skin and never see them because of their microscopic size.

Bedbug bite symptoms

Physical symptoms of bedbug bites may include:

raised and inflamed bumps
itchy bumps
a cluster or a zigzag line of bites

Bedbug bites most often occur on skin exposed during sleep and may look like bites from mosquitos or fleas. Visible bumps may develop within a few days or up to two weeks after a bite.

You may also find that bedbug bites cause:

difficulty sleeping
anxiety or irritability
skin irritation

Not everyone will have the same symptoms from bedbug bites because some people may be more sensitive to these bugs and develop more severe symptoms.

Chigger bite symptoms

Physical symptoms of chigger bites may include:

small pimples that are raised
changes in the skin (like darker skin or redness around the bite)
itchy skin that gets itchier over time
clusters of bites around areas of your body where you wear tight clothing, such as the elastic of underwear or around your sock line

You may notice chigger bites change while healing. The center of the bite may appear to have a cap that oozes if scratched.

Reaction time of bedbug vs. chigger bites

Bug bites are not always visible right away. They may take some time to become evident.

Bed bugs

You may not know that you’ve been bitten by bed bugs unless you actually see evidence of them where you’ve slept.

You likely will not feel a bite from bed bugs because they release a substance that numbs your skin and keeps any blood from running out of the bite area.

After a few days, you may be able to see the small bumps on your skin.

Chiggers

If you have chiggers on you for a short amount of time, the symptoms of a bite may be mild and last only a few days. You will likely feel them as they bite or hours later.

Chiggers that stay on you for a longer length of time, such as while you sleep, may cause more severe symptoms and last longer. Symptoms may be more visible then.

Bedbug bites vs chigger bites pictures

Both bedbug and chigger bites appear as raised and inflamed spots on your skin. In darker skin tones, inflammation may look like discolored skin or skin that is different than your natural tone.

Bedbug bites appear most frequently near areas of exposed skin and may appear in lines or in random clusters. Chigger bites are grouped together in locations near tight-fitting clothing.

Bite treatment

Both bedbug and chigger bites will resolve on their own with time. If your skin is itchy or there’s a risk of infection, treatment can help. It focuses on calming symptoms so you can be more comfortable.

Home remedies

The first line of treatment for both bedbug and chigger bites is to avoid scratching them and leaving them alone as much as possible.

Make sure to wash the affected area with warm, soapy water if you suspect chigger bites. This will make sure no chiggers remain on your skin.

You can apply cool compresses to the bites with a washcloth or towel.

Medical treatment

There are many over-the-counter medication options to reduce bedbug and chigger bite symptoms.

Topical creams, ointments, and lotions may soothe the itch caused by bed bugs and chiggers. These include those containing steroids, like hydrocortisone.

An oral antihistamine may also help control itching or swelling.

If the bite area becomes irritated, painful, or starts oozing pus, it may be infected. Treating an infection may require antibiotics, but only a healthcare professional can provide an accurate diagnosis and the right treatment.

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When to see a doctor about bedbug and chigger bites

Consider medical attention if you:

have symptoms that get worse over time or do not heal after a few weeks
develop other symptoms like fever, body aches, or chills
notice signs of an infection, like pus, pain, or blood
have difficulty breathing or swollen areas of your body, especially of your throat (this may be a sign of an allergic reaction)

Medical emergency
Extreme allergic reactions may cause anaphylactic shock. Call 911 and go to the nearest emergency room if you have these symptoms:
hives, flushed skin, or paleness
a lump in your throat or difficulty swallowing
nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
abdominal pain
a weak and rapid pulse
swollen tongue, eyes, or lips
difficulty breathing

Avoiding bed bugs and chiggers

The best way to prevent bedbug and chigger bites is to avoid the bugs.

Bed bugs

Bedbug removal requires fumigation. If you have bed bugs in your home, call a professional. Bed bugs can live for several months between feedings.

Keep spaces where bed bugs may live clean. Cleaning regularly will help you spot signs of bed bugs. For example, your mattress and closet.

If you are traveling and worried about bed bugs, consider sleeping in clothing that covers most of your skin. You can also use an insect repellant.

Chiggers

Limit your exposure to chiggers by avoiding contact with grasses and weeds. Do not sit directly on lawns, and make sure to keep your landscaping maintained. Overgrown yards can contribute to more chiggers.

When you’re outside, wear bug spray and dress in clothing that covers most of your body. This may include tucking your pants into your socks or wearing gloves tucked into long-sleeved shirts.

Takeaway

Both bed bugs and chiggers are tiny parasites that can cause uncomfortable pimple-like bumps on your skin. These bites may cause a few days of irritation, but they are generally not harmful in the long term. It’s difficult to differentiate bedbug from chigger bites.

To reduce the chances of infection, avoid scratching the bites, and use home remedies and over-the-counter medications to soothe symptoms.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline 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.

Alexander L, et al. (2024). Chigger bites and trombiculiasis.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538528/
About bed bugs. (2024).https://www.cdc.gov/bed-bugs/about/
Cwynar T. (2010). Got chiggers? It figures!https://mdc.mo.gov/conmag/2000/06/got-chiggers-it-figures

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Medically reviewed by Avi Varma, MD, MPH, AAHIVS, FAAFP — Written by Natalie Silver — Updated on February 28, 2025

Tag » How To Get Rid Of Chiggers In Bed

Chigger Bites Vs. Bed Bug Bites: Telling Them Apart - Healthline

Bedbug bite symptoms

Chigger bite symptoms

Reaction time of bedbug vs. chigger bites

Bed bugs

Chiggers

Bedbug bites vs chigger bites pictures

Bite treatment

Home remedies

Medical treatment

When to see a doctor about bedbug and chigger bites

Avoiding bed bugs and chiggers

Bed bugs

Chiggers

Takeaway

How we reviewed this article:

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