What Do Bed Bug Bites Look Like?

 An adult bed bug feeding.

When people get bit by a bed bug for the first time, they may not know it. Many people do not know what bed bug bites look like and the reactions to bed bugs bites are very individualized.

Not realizing you have been bit by a bed bug is common when the bed bug infestation is at a low level and when traveling or staying somewhere other than your home. In these cases, people may notice they have been bitten by something, but think that it might have been something like a spider or mosquito. Often times, two people can be in the same bed but only one person seems to be suffering from bites. This causes people to conclude that the person with the bites must be getting bit somewhere away from the person who appears to be free of bites. However, this is not the case.

The truth is that people show varied reactions to bed bug bites, including no reaction at all! Each person reacts (or doesn't react) differently. Just because one person doesn't seem to be bitten does not mean they are not getting bit. And for those that have reactions and know they have been bitten, there are many different ways they will show a reaction to the bites. Additionally, some people do not show a reaction until they have been bitten repeatedly over a period of time, such as after 6 months.

Typically, bed bug bites will appear in little groups of 3-6 raised bumps that are red or pink and they can be itchy or not. Most of the time, the bumps do not appear right away, usually about 48 hours after being bitten! If the infestation is at lower levels, there may be only one place showing such little groups of bites, such as a hand or an elbow, but when larger populations of bed bugs are present, you may see such groupings of bites all over an arm, leg or one's back or neck and shoulders, or anywhere else on the body. Some reactions are severe and cause large swelling areas that are extremely itchy and red, even with just one bite. These types of reactions are believed to be due to an allergic reaction to the bed bug. 

So as you can see, if you are not acquainted with a bed bug bite in the past, it can be hard to know if you have been bitten by a bed bug or not.

Here are some photos that might help you with identification. You can also do a Google Images search to see many photographs of bed bug bites. 

 A small group of bites, probably delivered by one bed bug on one day/night. Even these little bites from just one instance of being bitten, 
can be incredibly itchy!

 Another small group of bites on someone's hand, probably 
delivered by one bug at one feeding time.

 A severe reaction to what appears to be one instance of being bitten 
(one bug and delivered on one night or day). 

This person has large reactions to bed bug bites as well as probably being bitten by multiple bugs on multiple occasions. You would typically see such bite patterns, covering more areas on a person's body, in someplace that has a larger population of bed bugs present and the person is 
constantly being bitten, night after night.