👁 11 views
About a week ago I asked to stay in a friend’s previous apartment while my place was being renovated. He said yes, and I moved in for a few nights.
A couple of days later I began to notice unusual, itchy bumps on my legs and back. My routine hadn’t changed—I was using the same shampoo and bathing normally—so I suspected something in the apartment might be the cause.
Before I could see a doctor, I checked online. Most of the information I found pointed to bed bug bites.
The flat was fairly old and the mattress had been there a long time. I inspected it but didn’t immediately spot any pests. Still, I took precautions: I left the mattress out on the balcony in the sun for a day and used several mattress covers before sleeping on it again. Unfortunately the problem persisted, and I had to finish the week sleeping there.
According to the NHS, bed bugs are tiny insects that typically live in furniture or bedding. Their bites aren’t known to transmit diseases, but they can be extremely itchy.
Bed bug bites can cause discomfort and interfere with sleep, and they’re sometimes hard to tell apart from bites from other insects.
These signs can suggest bed bug bites, though not everyone reacts to them—many people show no response at all.
- Red, itchy bumps: Bed bug bites usually show up as red raised spots that itch. They don’t typically spread disease, but excessive scratching can break the skin and lead to bleeding or secondary infection.
- Bites on exposed skin: Bed bugs tend to bite areas left uncovered while sleeping.
- Delayed reaction: Bites aren’t always immediately obvious. Itches and welts can appear hours, days, or even weeks later. How long they last varies by individual and the severity of the reaction.
- Allergic reactions: Some people are more sensitive. In uncommon cases bites can cause large welts, painful swelling, or, very rarely, a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), which is life-threatening and requires urgent medical care.
If you suddenly develop red, itchy bumps, it’s wise to consult a healthcare professional.