Differences between bedbug bites and scabies

Bites Bed Bugs and Scabies

Before delving into the differences between bedbug bites and scabies, let's look at the main points of similarity between the two.

Both bedbug bites and scabies can cause pruritic rashes on human skin and, in both conditions, itching often worsens at night.

Let's study bedbug bites and scabies in detail:

Bed Bug Bites: Signs and Symptoms

Bedbugs are small parasites that feed on human blood. They require blood as food, to grow and reproduce. They usually hide during the day near the bedrooms, beds, sofas, etc. At night, they are drawn to the heat and carbon dioxide emitted by human hosts.

In the absence of humans, bed bugs can sting home pets like cats, dogs, etc.

Some people may not have symptoms due to bed bug bites. However, others may be allergic to protein in insect saliva and as a result, one or more of the following symptoms may develop:

* Red rash that itches on the skin. * The area of the bite may appear swollen. The epicenter of the bite is surrounded by a red halo. * Bed bug bites are usually seen in a linear pattern, bed bugs do not fly or jump.

* Typically, bite marks from bugs appear in groups of three or four. Bites usually occur on exposed parts of the body such as the neck, arms, legs, back, shoulders, etc.

* Bed bug bites can cause a lot of itching at times. Scratching should be avoided because the bite can become infected.

* In addition to bite marks, people who deal with a bed bug infestation, can detect reddish or rust colored stains on their mattresses, or around the corners of bedding. This is the discarded exoskeleton, or fecal matter left by bed bugs.

Scabies: Signs and Symptoms

Human scabies is a contagious skin condition, which is caused by a mite. These require an incubation period of 2 to 6 weeks, after which, an itchy rash can develop. The itching is especially worse at night.

Different rashes of the skin are often seen in mange:

The characteristic lesions of scabies are made by adult female mites, which lay eggs beneath human skin. These can not always be present.

The excoriations

In babies, scabies eruptions can develop into papules, urticaria, lesions, etc. Scabies Mites tend to focus on certain parts of the body, such as areas under the finger or toenails, wrists, feet, between the fingers and toes, etc.

Bedbug Stings vs. Scabies: Summary

* Bed bug bites occur in linear patterns in groups and marks from three to four.

- Scabies can spread through a larger surface area.

* Bed bug bites are usually seen on the arms, legs, back, neck, shoulders, etc.

- Scabies eruptions are seen in the feet, between the fingers and toes, under the toenails, etc.

* Bed bug bites are characterized by red and swollen bumps or welts.

- Scabies rashes are often white or red lines or burrows on the skin.

* Bedbugs do not live on human hosts. These return to their hiding place after the end of a meal of blood.

Scabies mites tend to lay their eggs and live in the burrows they make on the skin of humans.

* Bed bug infestations have to be treated with pesticides or heat treatment.

- Mange rashes need permethrin and other topical skin cream for treatment.

* Bed bugs are not contagious, but can spread from one home to another through infested trash bags, clothing, or furniture.

All family members need to be treated for scabies, with medicated creams, as scabies can spread due to shared use of infected towels, sheets, etc.