Here's a list of 11 of the most common bug bites and how you can spot them.
Cover image used for representational purposes only
Have you ever looked at a bug bite or a sting and wondered how you got it? Probably a mosquito bite, you think? Or was it a wasp? It could be a tick. Oh no! It's probably a bee. Suffice it to say, we've been there, and the frustration of not knowing what bit you can be very hard to digest. While most bug bites and stings heal by themselves, some can lead to severe infections. Hence, it is always better to know what bit or stung you so that you can take the right course of action to avoid suffering because of it. We will list out some of the most common bug bites and how they look so that you can take appropriate steps to deal with them.
When bed bugs bite you, chances are you won't feel any pain. But, you may see a cluster of three or more red marks that form a line. Although most people don't feel any issues, some may develop a mild or severe allergic reaction to a bug's saliva 24 hours or three days later. This means you will see a red skin bump almost like a swelling that's itchy or inflamed for a few days in a row. These bites can show up anywhere and but are common around the uncovered areas such as arms, legs, and neck. You need only change your mattress or fumigate your house as bed bugs don't cause any diseases, as per the CDC.
A mosquito bite tends to be an itchy, red, or pink bump on the skin and can cause several problems in some cases that may then lead to terrible conditions like malaria, eastern equine encephalitis, or West Nile virus. Although malaria is quite rare in the United States (around 2,000 a year), it can occur after you've traveled to African or certain Asian countries.
Ticks are considered a sneaky bug because you won't even feel them when they begin sucking the blood out of you. You will see a red circular spot around the region of the bite that is a few centimeters long. When you notice a tick bite, make sure to remove the entire ticks immediately as they can carry terrible diseases such as Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever into your body.
Wasp stings are quick and very painful and you may never even see it coming. Their stings are itchy, and cause redness and lead to swelling. The bite area is usually bigger than the size of a mosquito bite and you can even see where they've stung you.
Bees lose their life when they decide to burrow their stinger and leave their entire digestive tract inside you, meaning they hurt quite a bit. This is why their bites are quite easy to recognize. When you see a bee sting, make sure to remove the stinger from your body so that poison doesn't enter your bloodstream. Note that the region of the sting can get scarily swollen when the stinger isn't removed.
There's rarely a difference between a wasp or a hornet bite, except that the latter contains venom. This means the region of the bit could turn red and swell up into a big, red blister. In some cases, your skin may even turn purple so it's always important to visit a doctor when it does.
Red ant bites can often be very aggressive and painful but they don't do much damage beyond mild irritation for a few minutes. But, it's always best to wipe off the bug from your body as they can release dangerous toxins that can cause allergic reactions.
Lice are typically found on the head and in other cases around the hairy regions of the body. Their bites are not painful but can be very irritating so much that you wouldn't want to stop scratching. It's always best to find an anti-lice solution and apply them to get rid of the irritation completely.
Horseflies have a terribly nasty bite which makes it hard for you to even ignore them. They tend to leave a huge mark that can swell and even form blisters. In some cases, they cause dizziness and also cause infections. Clean up the area and use an ice pack to soothe the area, if you ever get bitten.
Although these don't qualify as spiders, it's something you may encounter commonly. They are found in areas including Missouri, Tennessee, and Louisiana and tend to hide in dark corners and don't like to be disturbed. They may, however, bite if they feel trapped.
Flea bites can usually cause small, itchy red lumps that are sometimes grouped in lines or clusters. Blisters may also occasionally develop. Fleas from cats and dogs often bite below the knee, commonly around the ankles.
Disclaimer : This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Share on Facebook