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If you’ve ever woken up in the morning with a new bug bite that you didn’t remember getting, you may have been curious as to how it got there, and who put it there. While it may not be possible to identify the exact creature responsible, the nature of the bug bite may give you a pretty good indication. Whether your bite is itchy, painful, swollen, or red can tell you quite a bit.
One of the most common of all bug bites is that of a mosquito. These bites will be itchy, red, swollen, and round. There is a very slim chance that a mosquito bite can transmit West Nile Virus, but your odds are pretty good. Only about 1% of mosquitos in areas where the virus is prevalent are infected. The good news is these pests tend to hibernate for the winter. Any temperature under 50 degrees Fahrenheit will send them packing, not to bother you again until next spring.
A spider bite could potentially be a little more worrisome. While most spider bites are not poisonous, some could be. Also, some people experience allergic reactions to spider bites. If a spider has bitten you, you would notice the bite to be red, swollen, and painful. If there’s a possibility that a poisonous spider could have bitten you, it’s important to visit your doctor as quickly as possible.
Bed bug bites are raised, red, and itchy. You will not notice when you’ve been bitten by a bed bug, and you won’t see symptoms at all unless you happen to be allergic to the saliva of the bed bug. Bed bug bites are typically found on the neck, face, hands, and arms, in a row of two or more.
If you’ve been spending much time outdoors, your bite could possibly be from a tick. These bites could potentially spread Lyme Disease or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. If you know you’ve been bit by a tick and begin to exhibit any symptoms of either of these diseases, such as fever, headache, muscle aches, or a rash, then it’s vital that you visit your doctor at once.
A small, red skin rash combined with itching and hives could indicate flea bites. These bites are most common around the ankles, around your waist, and in the bends of your elbows and knees. If you have pets indoors and notice these symptoms, that’s likely your issue. If that’s the case, you will need to shampoo your pets with a flea killing shampoo, and wash and dry everything that you can that they’ve come into contact with. If the flea infestation is too severe, you will most likely need to call in a pest control company to exterminate the issue.
Ant bites usually result in painful red bumps on the skin. A fire ant bite would result in a blister a day or two after the sting, and leave behind a burning or itching sensation along with redness and swelling. Other ant bites may not be quite as painful, although Carpenter ant bites also cause a burning sensation.
While there are a number of other insects out there who may potentially give you some trouble, these bites tend to be the most common. If you have a bite that seems to be causing more trouble than you suspect it should, such as extreme pain, swelling, or other problems such as rapid heart rate or shortness of breath, reach out to your doctor immediately. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to your health.
