A bedbug is a type of insect that survives by feeding off the blood of a host, such as a human. In developed nations, these pests were once eradicated through the use of a now-illegal pesticide called DDT, explain medical professionals with MayoClinic.com. Unfortunately, bedbug infestations have become problematic once more. These insects are difficult to get rid of and typically like to hide near where people sleep, such as a mattress or box spring. People who develop bedbug symptoms should consider hiring professional insect exterminators to get rid of bedbug infestations.
Discolored Skin Lesions
Bedbugs typically attack when people are sleeping, warns Michael Potter, an entomologist with the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture. A bite from a bedbug is generally painless, and most people don't realize they have been bitten until noticing the appearance of a red, irritated skin lesion at the bite site. After receiving a bite from a bedbug, people can develop a small, circular skin lesion that has a dark red dot in the middle of it, warn health professionals with MayoClinic.com. Typically, people notice several bite marks arranged in a group or line across the arms, hands, neck or face. These discolored skin lesions are temporary and generally subside within a few days of onset.
Swelling
The skin at the site of a bedbug bite can appear unusually swollen or inflamed within a few days of receiving the bite, explains Potter. Swelling of the skin can be uncomfortable and is typically accompanied by red skin discoloration. In certain cases, a person can develop a severe allergic reaction to the bedbugs' saliva. Such reactions can lead to the formation of painful, fluid-filled blisters, explain health professionals with the Better Health Channel. Severe or persistent skin swelling requires prompt medical attention.
Itching
When a bedbug bites a human, it injects a small amount of saliva into the skin, explain health professionals with the Harvard School of Public Health. Exposure to this saliva can irritate a person's skin, leading to symptoms of itching. Severe itching can cause people to scratch at the affected skin region. Frequent scratching can exacerbate skin irritation symptoms and increase a person's risk of developing a skin infection.
