Do Bed Bug Bites Increase in Size?
WouterOne of the biggest questions you might have after receiving a bite from a bedbug is, do bed bug bites increase in size? While bedbug bites usually don’t become puffed or swollen, they may feel tender and look like tiny sores. Furthermore, bedbug bites tend to last longer than mosquito bites and may even leave scars.
Fortunately, there are several ways to tell if you’re suffering from bedbug bites. The bites themselves typically start out as tiny red welts that appear in zigzag patterns. In severe cases, they may develop into hives or blisters. You should also be aware of the risk of secondary infections and seek medical attention if the bug bites are severe enough.
People who frequent hotels and public spaces are at risk for bedbug bites. They should wear pajamas or other bed-included clothing when sleeping and inspect the used items they bring home. In hotels, you should also inspect the seams of the mattress for bedbug excrement and place your suitcase or backpack on a dresser or table to prevent it from catching bedbugs.
Multiple exposures to bed bugs may affect the size of bed bug bites. These changes may be a reflection of a host’s immune response to the insect’s saliva or of a host becoming more sensitive to bed bug bites. This has been studied in a case where a scientist fed a bed bug colony weekly for seven years. The next time he visited the colony, he noted that the size of his rash was smaller and the time of occurrence was shorter.
