Five ways to differentiate between Bed Bug Bites Vs. Mosquito Bites

Five ways to differentiate between Bed Bug Bites Vs. Mosquito Bites

Bed bug bites and mosquito bites appear the same, but there are specific differences like itching and rashes, which helps in differentiating between the two.

Appearing to be the same in the first instance, both mosquito bites and bed bug bites seem to be the same. However, there are certain clues that you need to dig up to understand if it is a bed bug bite or a mosquito bite. Let us discuss in detail the symptoms of both the bites to refer to the suitable treatments for both. To locate the difference between the two, one should understand which type of bit and how to proceed with the procedure.

Symptoms of Bed bug bite

Resembling as other insect bites, Bed bug bites leads to skin irritation. The bed bug is the nocturnal insects that stay in bed. Some of the common symptoms of Bed bug bite are:

Location: The body parts which are exposed towards the bed have a bed bug bite. Neck, back, and arms are the general body areas which face the bed bug bite. Remember, they can also burrow under clothing.

Appearance: The area where the bed bug bites are represented with a red dot. It appears to be pimple-like, red as well as fluffy. If you are sensitive to a bed bug bite, you may experience the fluid-filled pimple as well

Number: You can find such bites to be in a group of 3-4 or more. Bed bugs often bite in a straight line.

Itchy factor: the affected area remains irritating and itchy.  Morning is the worst time to experience this discomfort. As the day progresses, you feel better.

Mosquito Bite symptom

Do you know that only the female species of mosquito bites? These are the small insect with six legs which thrive near the water or garbage. Especially if you are near to a lake, pond, pool, or marsh, you are prone to get a bite from mosquitoes as these areas are breeding ground of mosquitoes.  In severe cases, a person may experience anaphylactic, which is a life-threatening allergic reaction leading to breathing difficulty, throat swelling, and hive.

Some of the common symptoms of mosquito bites are as follows:

Appearance: If you find raise bites that are small and red, it could be a mosquito bite. Depending on the body’s reaction to mosquito saliva, the size of the mosquito bite varies.

Location: Unlike bedbugs, mosquitoes cannot bite through clothing. They only eat exposed areas like hands, legs, or hands.

Itch factor: As mosquito bites are itchy, the sensitivity of reaction depends on your body type. The sensitive skin can experience blistering results while few may experience itching for some time.

Number: You may have one or multiple mosquito bites, but the pattern of these bites is random. Unline bed bugs, there is no defined line pattern for mosquito bites.

Bed bug bites Vs. Mosquito bites: Are both the same?

Several traits are found to be typical between the bed bug bites and mosquito bites. As the reaction in both the bits varies from person to person, it becomes difficult to differentiate between the two. There is a possibility that a person experiences red welts while others experience rashes and some other experiences blister. Hence, it is challenging to determine if a bed bug bites you.

Here are the five to differentiate Bed Bug bites Vs. Mosquito Bites:

The bits are in cluster or random

Bed bug bites occur in the group while the mosquito bites are random. Determine the area where the bites are happening in your body and observe the pattern. Bed bugs often bite in-line or in a zigzag pattern.  You will also find the alignment with the mattress edges in case of bed bug bites. However, mosquito bites randomly. You may find one bite on a hand and others on a leg and so on. Even at the same spots, mosquitoes can bite you at different locations.

Stains on the bedsheet

If you find the dark red or black stains on your bed sheet, it is a clear indication of the presence of a bed bug. And if you are experiences bites on your body, the chances are fair high that you are suffering from bed bug bites.  The stains on the bedsheet represent the digested blood. It is an easy way to determine that you are jostling with bed bugs.

The bite is long-lasting or not.

Leaving the mosquito bites alone make them disappear after some time. There might be an itching sensation and a red bump after mosquito bites, but it does not last long. Bug bites take time to heal and do not subside as quickly as mosquito bites.

A red bump with a rash

The reaction from bed bug bite varies from body to body. But usually, most of the bed bug bites are accompanied by rashes. The anticoagulant injected in to your skin leads a rash around your body. It is advised to avoid any scratching to these rashes. Contact the professional medical practitioner if required.

The level of itchiness

You will feel itchiness to the mosquito bites immediately. Even in some cases, the itching sensation began before the eruption of bumps. But in case of a bed bug, there is a rash, red bump, and itching sensation. The interesting part is that the bite from bed bug may lead to itchiness even up to 14 days of the bite.

Do bed bugs bites look like mosquito bites?

Yes, both the bites are visibly the same. The difference can only be in the pattern of the bites. Also, bed bites are often accompanied by rashes. However, the reaction depends on person to person.

How can you tell if the bite is from a bed bug?

If you observe a red bump accompanied by a rash, it is an indication of a bed bug bite. Other signs such as red or black stains on the bedsheet confirm the presence of a bed bug.

Do bed bug bites last longer than the mosquito bite?

Yes, bed bug bites last longer than the mosquito bite. You may experience itching even after 14 days of bug bites while the irritation arising out of mosquito bite continues for some time.

Are bed bugs bites flat or raised?

Both bed bug bites and mosquito bites are raised, a bump-like with redness over the skin. These are pimple-like puffy in appearance.