About a week ago, I reached out to my friend to see if I could stay in his old apartment while mine was being renovated, and he kindly agreed.
However, just a few days later, I began to notice unusual bumps on my skin, particularly on my legs and back. Since I hadn’t altered my hygiene routine and was using the same shampoo while taking regular baths, I suspected that the issue might be related to the apartment itself.
Before I could even afford a visit to the doctor, I turned to the internet to find out what might be causing the itchy bumps, and all signs pointed to bed bugs.
The apartment was quite old, and the mattress had been there for years. However, when I checked it, I didn’t see anything unusual. Still, I took some precautions by placing the mattress on the balcony to let it sit in the sun for a day, and then I used several bed covers before sleeping on it again. Unfortunately, not much changed, and I had no choice but to sleep there for the rest of the week.
According to the NHS, bed bugs are small insects that typically inhabit furniture or bedding. While their bites aren’t harmful to health, they can be extremely itchy.
A bite from a bed bug can lead to itchiness, discomfort, and sleepless nights. They can also be hard to tell apart from bites caused by other insects.
Here are a few symptoms that can assist you in determining whether the bites are from bed bugs. However, it’s important to note that not everyone will experience these symptoms, as many individuals do not react to these bites at all.
Red, itchy bumps – Bed bug bites manifest as red bumps on the skin. While they do not transmit diseases, their bites can be quite itchy and bothersome. Although they typically do not cause a rash, excessive scratching may break the skin, leading to bleeding or a secondary infection.
Bites on exposed skin – Bed bugs tend to feed on skin that is uncovered during the night.
Timing of Bites – Bed bug bites may not be immediately apparent, as the itchy welts can take several hours, days, or even weeks to appear. The duration of these welts varies based on the individual, their body’s response, and the intensity of the bites.
Allergic Reactions – Some individuals may have a heightened sensitivity to bed bug bites. In rare instances, these bites can lead to large red welts, painful swelling in the surrounding area, or, in very rare cases, anaphylaxis, which is a severe allergic reaction that can result in shock and is potentially life-threatening.
If you notice red bumps suddenly emerging on your skin, it’s advisable to reach out to a healthcare professional.
