Bed Bug vs. Flea Bites
If you've seen a group of tiny, itching, red spots on your skin, it might really be a plethora of things. The worst likely causes might be a bed bug or flea bites, as it means there are bugs in your house that you need to eliminate.
Even though it is frustrating not to know where your sting originated, you want to address the issue as soon as possible. We have collected a few tips and tricks to help you identify the difference and eliminate them.
These bites are very similar, so you can quickly tell if you have bug bites and not anything else like chickenpox or foot, mouth, and hand disease (Google with caution).
Fleas can cause tiny red spots to appear in some body parts. These red bumps are minor and do not contain any fluid or pus but can bleed if you scratch them very hard.
We have collected various tips and techniques that will help you tell the difference between flea bites and bed bug bites and how to get rid of them. Continue reading to find out the differences between flea bites and bed bugs, as well as the signs that indicate which type.
Main Differences Between Flea and Bed Bug Bites
Fleas prefer human blood over animal blood but will drink both. Most bed bugs only ingest human blood. This is the only difference between flea bites and bed bug bites.
Learn More About Flea Bites
Most of the time, we get fleas from our pets. Fleas cannot fly but can jump as high as 18 cm. Fleas begin to bite once they land on a server.
Flea bites can make you more susceptible to infection. The hives, blistering, and swelling can all be worse in the bitten area. You should avoid further infection and damage to your skin.
Fleas are more likely to attack our pets than we. However, they can spread disease and damage your skin. It is difficult to determine if your pet has been bitten by a bedbug or a flea if they are sleeping with you.
Tinghiasis is a skin condition where the fleas dig into your skin and eat your blood. This usually occurs around the toes and feet. Although the flea usually dies within a few weeks, it can still cause skin infections and other complications.
To prevent flea bites on people, take these steps: Make sure your pet has proper flea medication and limit their access to the outside during summer flea season.
You should also vacuum your pet's bed and clean it regularly. Even though fleas hate garlic, it is good to give them high amounts of it.
Other Indications of Fleas
You can identify the source of your sting(s) by looking out for other signs. There is a good chance you have found the culprit if there are a few of these indicators. Fleas are most commonly contracted from pets like house pets. You can look for some clues to help determine if your pet is affected.
Excessive scratching or biting If your pet is scratching or biting more often than usual, this could indicate that they have flea bites.
Red spots on the skin – Many critters can become allergic to flea saliva. This can cause skin irritation and red patches. These can occur anywhere on the pet's skin, not just where they were bitten.
Hair loss – This could be an indication that your pet is suffering from flea bites or excessive barking.
Let's say your animal has a combination of symptoms. The bites are similar to our previous description. You might consult a doctor or explore other treatments.
How to Treat a Flea Bite
Once you have determined that the red spots are flea bites, it's time to treat them. To keep your skin clean, wash the area with soap and water. To reduce itching and swelling, you can use an oral antihistamine like Benadryl.
Next, you should find a soothing, antipruritic (anti-itching) lotion that will help relieve the itching. This will prevent you from getting a bacterial infection. To reduce inflammation, you should visit your doctor for a topical steroid. Your doctor can prescribe an antibiotic if your bites persist or worsen.
Aloe vera is a natural remedy for itching and redness. You can also wash the area with green or dark tea to help it heal.
To ensure that your home is free from fleas, you'll need to take extra safety precautions. You can sweep, mop, and spray your carpets, upholstery, and your entire home. Foggers are effective in treating fleas at all stages of their life. They can last up to seven weeks and are very affordable.
Bed Bug Bites
Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown, oval-shaped insects in mattresses and furniture. They bite people while they sleep. They are attracted by body heat and carbon dioxide. Don't worry. They will choose to eat with you rather than your pet.
Although bed bugs are not carriers of diseases like ticks or fleas, they can still cause swelling and hives from their bites. Bed bugs are often found in areas with high populations, such as hospitals, hotels, and apartments.
Crawling is the main mode of transportation for bed bugs. However, they can also crawl in your bag or clothes and even get through pipes and gutters.
Most of the time, you won't feel a bedbug biting you. Their spit will numb your skin before they strike. However, some people have reported having disturbed sleep due to bed bugs.
Do not scratch bed bugs if you get them. They usually heal within one week. However, they can remain on your skin for several weeks if you scratch them or cause irritation.
You can prevent bed bugs by regularly inspecting your furniture and mattress for signs such as rusty coloration or tiny red-brown spots (the first sign) or wrapping your mattress in protective material.
When you travel, make sure to inspect your luggage and clothes and ensure that they are in good condition. In addition, you should vacuum regularly and wash your bedding frequently. High temperatures are not conducive to bed bugs' survival.
Other Evidence for Bed Bugs
They are sneaky and often come out at night when you're asleep. However, you can still search for them.
Brown Stains Those rusty color dots are likely to be blood traces from bed bugs that have been popped. There is a good chance that you have bitten a bedbug if they are found in your clothing, sheets, bedding, and furniture.
Scaly skins – Bed bugs begin to shed their skin as they age. It almost looks like a tiny transparent leaf, 2.5mm diameter, with a scaly surface. If you get bites that you think are from bed bugs, make sure to check your mattress for them.
Musty Odor If your home is home to bed bugs, you may notice an unusual smell coming from their sweat glands. It smells a bit like if you enter a moldy old house.
How to treat bed bug bites
Let's keep going. Bed bugs bites can be worsened if you scratch them. The treatment of bed bug bites is similar to that of flea bites. To combat itching and swelling, you can either use an oral antihistamine or a topical antiitch lotion.
You will need to contact your doctor for a topical steroid. If the snack traces persist for more than two weeks, or if you have a secondary infection, you should contact your physician. You may need to get an antibiotic from your doctor.
Combine baking soda with water to create a paste. This will give you a holistic approach to your home. Apply it directly to the bite and rinse off after an hour.
It is not an easy task to remove them from your home. Unfortunately, it is also quite costly. Therefore, it is essential to take care of them sooner than they multiply.
You can read the testimonials of local terminators to find someone who will be thorough enough in spraying your home. Although it is more difficult to eradicate them without professional assistance, spraying alcohol kills them instantly.
Spray areas around your home or on bed bugs if you find them. Although your home may smell like cleaning products, it's better than losing sleep because you have bed bugs in your head.
You should also treat the rest of your house. Spray rubbing alcohol in the crevices and then take your laundry to a laundry room where you need high-efficiency washing/drying.
How to Clean Your Mattress If You Have Bed Bugs Or Fleas.
You should clean your bed if you have seen any of these insects in your bedroom. Here's a quick summary of what you should do in such a situation.
Take off all bedding, mattresses, covers, and clothing. Wash them in warm water, then dry on high heat.
Use a stiff, coarse brush to scrub the mattress seams. To eliminate bedbugs or eggs, make sure you get to the tiny cracks.
Vacuum under your bed, carpet, and mattress. Once you are done, take your vacuum bag outside and dispose of it in a trash can. You also need to leave your vacuum out until you can correctly clean it.
Place your mattress in a bag. You should keep your mattress covered for at least 12 months, as bed bugs can survive for up to a year if they are fed.
Keep the area around your bed clean to avoid future infestations. To make pests less likely to find places to hide, repair cracks in walls or bed frames.
Final Thoughts
Flea bites and bed bug bites might seem very similar at first glance. But, as you will see, some differences can help you identify which pest you are dealing with.
If you find bed bugs or fleas in your bed, it is essential to act fast. First, follow the instructions we've provided above to clean your bed. You can then decide whether you hire expert help with your Flea and bedbug problem.
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