Itchy skin is a common problem, and it can be tricky to figure out what’s causing it. Two possible culprits that often get confused are bed bug bites and scabies. Without the right information, it’s easy to misidentify the source of your discomfort.
This article will break down the differences between bed bug bites and scabies, covering how to identify each one, what treatments work, and how to prevent them.
Spotting the difference is essential because bed bugs and scabies need very different treatments. Knowing what you’re dealing with will help you take the right steps to get relief.
What are bed bugs and scabies?
Both bed bugs and scabies are tiny pests that can cause big problems for humans. But they’re very different creatures.
Bed bugs: The bloodsucking pests
Bed bugs are small, visible insects that feed on human blood. The adults are only about 5 to 7 millimeters long — about the size of an apple seed — and they’re visible to the naked eye. These pests often hitch a ride into your home on luggage, clothing, or furniture.
Bed bugs are nocturnal, so they come out at night while you’re sleeping to feed on any exposed skin. And they’re hardy little creatures: bed bugs can survive for several months without a blood meal.
Scabies: Microscopic mites burrowing under the skin
Scabies is a contagious skin condition caused by microscopic mites that burrow into your skin. Scabies mites are arachnids, not insects, and they’re so small you can’t see them without a microscope.
The burrowing process causes intense itching and a characteristic rash. Adult female scabies mites lay two or three eggs per day inside the burrows, which just continues the cycle.
Identifying the culprit: Bed bug bites vs. scabies symptoms
Figuring out what’s biting you in the night can be tricky, but here are some clues to help you tell the difference between bed bug bites and scabies.
Bed bug bite characteristics
Bed bug bites are usually small, raised welts on the skin. They often show up in clusters or in a zig-zag pattern on areas of skin that are exposed while you’re sleeping, such as your arms, legs, or neck. Bed bug bites can be itchy and might cause a burning feeling.
You might not notice bed bug bites right away. It can take as long as two weeks for you to develop a reaction to them.
Scabies symptoms and signs
Scabies rashes look like tiny, grayish-white lines or burrows in the skin, often with small bumps alongside them. The burrows are a key indication that you have scabies.
Scabies tend to show up in skin folds, between your fingers, on your wrists and elbows, around your genitals, and around the areolae if you’re a woman.
The itching caused by scabies is intense, especially at night.
Comparing bite patterns and appearance
Bed bug bites tend to appear in clusters on exposed skin, while scabies cause burrows and intense itching, especially at night.
If you’ve never had scabies before, it can take up to eight weeks for symptoms to appear. If you’ve had scabies before, symptoms usually appear within one to four days.
Signs of Infestation: Detecting Bed Bugs and Scabies
Both bed bugs and scabies can leave you feeling itchy and miserable, but the signs of infestation look quite different.
Recognizing a Bed Bug Infestation
If you’ve got bed bugs, you may actually see the little reddish-brown insects themselves. You might also spot their shed skins (exoskeletons) on your mattress or bedding, or dark fecal spots.
Bed bugs periodically shed their exoskeletons, which may be visible on your bedding or upholstered furniture. Stains and debris on sheets or bedding are another sign of a bedbug infestation.
And if the infestation is a heavy one, you may notice a musty odor in the air.
Identifying a Scabies Infestation
Scabies is usually diagnosed based on your symptoms and a visual exam by a doctor. Your doctor may also want to perform a skin scraping to confirm the presence of mites or eggs.
It’s important to note that scabies infestations don’t indicate anything about your cleanliness. Anyone can get them!
Treatment Options: Addressing Bed Bug Bites and Scabies
The treatment for scabies is very different from the treatment for bed bug bites.
Treating Scabies
Scabies is an infestation that needs to be treated with prescription medications known as scabicides. The most common scabicides are permethrin cream and ivermectin.
Other scabicides include crotamiton, benzyl benzoate, sulfur, and lindane. Because scabies is so contagious, your doctor may recommend that everyone in your household be treated at the same time, even if they don’t have any symptoms.
Managing Bed Bug Bites
Bed bug bites are different. Most bed bug bites heal on their own within a week or two.
You can ease the itching and prevent infection by washing the bites with soap and water, and applying a dab of corticosteroid cream.
Eradicating infestations: Getting rid of bed bugs and scabies
Both bed bugs and scabies are challenging to get rid of, but here are some steps you can take.
Eliminating scabies
If you have scabies, it’s important to wash all your bedding, clothing, and towels in hot water and dry them on high heat. If there are items that can’t be washed, seal them in airtight bags for several weeks.
Eliminating bed bugs
Getting rid of bed bugs is notoriously difficult. If you have bed bugs, you’ll likely need to call a professional pest control service. You can also try vacuuming, steam cleaning, and using EPA-registered pesticides.
In Closing
To prevent scabies, avoid close skin contact with anyone who has scabies, and don’t share personal items such as bedding, clothing, or towels.
To prevent bed bugs, inspect used furniture carefully, use mattress encasements, and be extra vigilant about checking for bed bugs when you travel.
Because bed bug bites and scabies can look very similar, it’s important to see a medical professional for a diagnosis and treatment plan. Treating and preventing both conditions as quickly as possible is essential for containing an outbreak.