It is very difficult to find out the difference between flea bites and bed bug bites, because there are different types of bugs and bug bites. However both types of bytes will be annoying and in worse cases it develops into skin infections.
If you experience any infection, which shows you sign of bug bites and make you feel embarrassed. This article will guide you to take necessary steps and to prevent further flea bites and bed bug bites.
Bed bugs and flea bites both need blood meals which can be obtained from warm blooded hosts. These bugs are equipped with special mouth parts to suck the blood from hosts.
Fleas are tiny insects which are typically found on pets and animals. They suck the blood out of the host and cut right through the skin. This can be irritating and you should not scratch the area, because it leads to skin infection and cause more itching.
Beg bugs are usually found on mattresses which look like insects. Bed bugs also cause itching and even skin infection. Some people mistakenly think that bed bug bites are similar to common insect bites and treat them in the same way. Bed bugs prefer to be in hotter temperature and fleas in cooler temperature.
Now let’s see the similarities, differences between bed bug bites and flea bites and even treatment methods and some prevention measures.
Differences Between Flea Bites and Bed Bug Bites
Flea bites usually look like small cluster of dots which cause red spots on the affected area, rashes and swelling around the area can be seen on arms, legs and ankles. Flea bites can cause distinctive reddish hallow in the site.
They prefer to hide in fury and hairy animals and not at all feel shy to bite humans. Apart from that, it can lead to many other diseases like plaque and typhus.
Bed bugs cause swollen bumps and intense itchiness with darker red spot in the middle of the bite. These bites are quite rough and appear on linear row and are most commonly found on face, neck, arms and hands.
Here are the some of the symptoms of Flea bites and bed bug bites
Symptoms of Flea Bites
- The skin may become irritated and painful around the bite
- It becomes red and swollen in less than an hour after the bite.
- The red bumps develop into blisters within one or two days.
- Instant scratching of skin may lead to wound and skin infections.
- Some people may experience hypersensitivity which results in greater allergic reaction.
- Some people may develop bumps and hives and others might develop nasty reactions of characteristic symptoms.
Symptoms of Bed Bug Bites
- It will cause mild itchy feeling several days after being bitten
- It resembles like mosquito bite
- The symptoms of bed bug are many times unnoticed
- Tiny red lesions appear on skin which causes itchiness.
Treatment for Flea Bites and Bed Bug Bites
The first thing you need to do after seeing the infection on your skin of scratched and open blister of flea bites is, wash the area with warm soapy water and pat dry as a precautionary measure against infection.
Some of the medications that can reduce itchiness for both flea bites and bed bug bites are hydrocortisone cream, calamine and Benadryl. Creams should not be put on open source and wounds.
For bed bugs specifically make a paste of baking soda and water then apply it on the infected area. Let it remain for one hour and wash it with warm water.
Lemon juice is perfect remedy to get rid of skin infections, dip a cotton ball in lemon juice and apply it on the infected area and wash it after a few minutes.
Other home remedies for both flea bites and bed bug bites include coat the area with aloevera, washing the bites with black tea and steeped lavender.
Preventive Measures for Flea Bites and Bed Bug Bites
Preventive measures of flea bites
- Consume garlic as often as possible
- Wash your pet frequently
- Vacuum regularly
- Sprinkle the spray of citrus fluid on your legs and ankles
- Spray essential of lavender oil on your legs and ankles
- Mix equal amount of water and apple cider vinegar and spray it on the places where fleas are more problematic
Preventive Measures for Bed Bug Bites
- Wrap your mattresses in a protective casing
- Cover up any holes on the mattresses
- Get rid of infected mattresses
- Wash bed covers and pillow covers frequently
- Eliminate clutter around the bed
- If it all fails then use pesticides.
By following above measures you can get rid of these bed bug and flea bites.