Finding itchy clusters on your skin may make you believe you’ve been bitten by something. However, it is impossible to know what may have happened to you. Many people with small clustered lumps that feel itchy can conclude that they might have bed bugs.
But then people can argue that it could also be hives. At this point, questions like does a rash from bed bug spread? Is there a need for me to see a doctor? Am I in any serious medical danger?
Before we jump to any action, it’s crucial to understand where those clusters come from. This is because hives may require treatment before they go away, but bed bugs almost always never require any treatment to go away. People ask so many questions, including do bed bug bites look like hives?
How To Tell A Hive from A Bed Bug Bite
There is more than one difference between bed bug bites and hives. They are:
The color
When you see bed bug bites, they are bright red. It’s what indicates that they’ve drawn blood from that location. While hives can be red, pink, or the color of the individual’s skin, hives can be caused by a variety of factors, some of which may be more severe than others. Those irritating patches on your skin may not have been left there by bed bugs if they are not brilliant or light red.
The location
When you don’t cover your entire body before sleeping, bed bugs don’t bother burrowing inside your garments in quest of blood. When they emerge, they will concentrate on the area of your body that was left open while you slept (mostly your arms and legs).
While hives can appear everywhere and move about after a while, if you’re wondering how bed bugs got in there to bite you, don’t worry; they’re not to blame.
The size
No matter how many bed bug bites are in a cluster, the size of each bite remains the same. If it’s the size of a pimple, it’ll stay that way all the way through. Although the bites may appear to be too close together at times, and one bite may appear to be larger than the others.
If you look closely, you’ll notice that there are just two bites, and they’re both the same size. Meanwhile, hives come in various sizes, and a cluster of hives may contain hives of various sizes.
Note: Before drawing any conclusions, you should examine your surroundings to see if there are any other indicators of bed bugs. If a bed bug caused the bite, there would be a good possibility you’ll find other bed bug indicators if you check thoroughly and attentively.
Look for blood patches, dark red specks, bed insect shells, eggs, and bed bugs during your search. You should inspect your sleeping area thoroughly, tumbling your mattress if necessary and looking through every bed corner. If you don’t locate anything, it’s possible that the problem isn’t bed bugs.
What Are Hives?
Hives are itchy bumps on the skin that occurs when the skin reacts badly to anything. For example, insect bites, an irritant in the surroundings, drugs, or dieting can all trigger a bad reaction. Hives are small, temporary bumps that do not stay in the same place for long periods. They are usually red, pink, or take on the color of the victim’s skin.
Hives are usually itchy, but they have been reported to sting in some cases. Hives are usually temporary, can be diagnosed without using any medical equipment, and go away without any medication in most cases. However, in cases where the skin is overly sensitive, they may require external medication to get rid of them. Hive is one of the most common allergic reactions people display.
Itchy bumps on the skin are often from:
- Stress rash
- Heat rash
- Allergic Reactions
- Mosquito bites
- Bed bug bites
- Flea bites
- Shingles
Can you Get Hives Or Rash From Bed Bug Bites
Hives or rashes may develop as a result of the bite. These hives should not stay in the same place for more than a day; if they do, they are almost certainly not caused by bed bugs. Additionally, all of the bumps in the cluster should be the same size.
Bed Bug Bites Questions
Bed bug bites are small, itchy bumps that appear after bed bugs have fed. Depending on the extent of the bed bug infestation, a person may notice four or more bites at once, arranged in a straight line or zigzag pattern. Bed bug bites are not known to be life-threatening or transmit any diseases.
Do Bed Bug Bites Look Like Hives
There are many parallels between bed bug bites and hives. Bed bug bites are similar to hives in that they come in clusters, are colored, and are itchy. They also do not cause any complications unless the person has extremely sensitive skin. However, it is very easy to confuse bed bug bites for hives, and bed bug bites can cause the skin to react so that hives appear.
Does a Rash From A Bed Bug Spread
Because bed bug bites form clusters, are red, and each bump is the same size, they can resemble rashes. On the other hand, bed bug rashes do not spread or grow in size; they stay the same size till they go away. If the rash spreads and grows wider by the day, it’s likely caused by something else. A variety of factors can bring on the rash.
Do Bed Bug Bites Develop Whiteheads Like Pimples?
People experience a reaction to bed bug bites that cause the area to swell and develop a whitehead, similar to a pimple. It helps to understand the difference between acne and bed bug bites. For one, bed bug bites tend to appear in a line or cluster, while pimples can occur anywhere on the skin. Also, bed bug bites are often itchier than pimples, which may last several days before disappearing.
Conclusion
Hives and bed bug bites are easily confused because they have many similarities. Still, with the information provided in this article, you should be able to tell the difference between the two.
If you are still unsure at the end of the day, you should see a doctor. In addition, before deciding on the cause of the itchy bump, one should check their surroundings, previous meals, and any medications they are currently taking.