Bed Bug Bites vs. Flea Bites: How to Tell Them Apart

Fleas and bed bugs look similar: small, brown wingless insect pests. Unfortunately, bed bug bites and flea bites look similar, too. So, if you should discover some itchy bumps on your body, we’ll explain how to tell bed bug bites and flea bites apart and how to treat them. 

Do Bed Bug Bites Look Like Flea Bites?

Yes, at first glance, it’s hard to tell bed bug bites from flea bites. They both present as itchy red bumps, sometimes grouped together or in a line. But there are a few differences:

What Do Flea Bites Look Like?

Within a half-hour of the bite, a small, itchy red bump will form, surrounded by a ring of inflamed skin. Redness may be more difficult to see on dark skin; on some skin tones, it may appear purple or blue.  In a day or so, the bump may develop into a blister or small wound.

Generally, flea bites go away in a couple of days unless you have an allergic reaction or a skin infection. In some cases, the itching may last up to a week.

What Do Bed Bug Bites Look Like?

Bed bug bites don’t always appear quickly. According to WebMD, they may take as long as two weeks to show up. (Or they may never show up: Some people don’t react to bites.)  Bites can be swollen, itchy bumps with a dark spot in the middle. On light skin, they tend to look red; on dark skin, they may be purple or faint pink.

Bed bug bites don’t heal as quickly as flea bites. Swelling can last up to a week, and the itch can last up to two weeks, according to Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Where Do Fleas Bite?

Fleas tend to aim for lower extremities and warm, moist areas, so they’ll bite:

• Feet
• Calves and ankles
• Waist
• Armpits
• The bend of your elbows and knees 

Where Do Bed Bugs Bite?

These pests target any part of your body that touches a mattress or other infested site.  But they’re more likely to bite these areas:

• Face
• Neck
• Arms
• Hands

Where to Look for Fleas and Bed Bugs

Both pests hide in similar areas, such as bedding (that includes pet bedding), upholstered furniture, throw rugs, cushions, and dog crates. Fleas (including eggs and larvae) can get into your bed, especially if your pets sleep with you. However, they tend not to take up residence like bed bugs do.

Fleas also live on your carpet, while bed bugs can be found in mattresses, box springs, headboards, bedside tables, and even electrical outlets.

Signs of bedbug infestation:

• Rusty or reddish stains.
• Dark spots the size of a dot (bed bug excrement).
• Tiny eggs or pale yellow skins (young bed bugs).

Signs of flea infestation:

These include:

• Tiny black dots: That’s flea dirt, which is actually excrement that is made up of the host’s blood.
• Eggs: These may look like grains of salt. They’re oval and clear to white in color.
• Larvae: These look like small translucent worms or maggots.

Do Bed Bugs and Fleas Spread Disease?

Bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases to humans, according to the CDC. But fleas can spread a number of diseases.  Most famously, fleas from infected rats were blamed for the plague — also known as the Black Death — that killed 25 million in Europe during the 14th century. 

Flea-based typhus is another disease carried by the pests, as is cat scratch disease.

Get immediate medical help if you develop any of these symptoms:

• Fever
• Headache
• Body aches
• Rashes
• Nausea

Note:  Children are more at risk of contracting Dipylidium, a form of tapeworm. This happens if they swallow a flea that carries tapeworm larvae. Call the doctor if you see something that looks like rice in your child’s bowel movement. Those are proglottids, worm segments that contain eggs.

How to Treat Bed Bug and Flea Bites

Many of the same bed bug bite treatments ease the itching of flea bites, too. They include:

• Ice or cold compresses.
• Aloe vera.
• Colloidal oatmeal that can be used as a paste or in a bath.
• Hydrocortisone ointment or creams.
• Antihistamine, either as a topical cream, as a pill, or a capsule.

Don’t Scratch!

Yes, it feels good to scratch, but just don’t! It can make things worse. Here’s why:

Scratching revs your immune response. Your body sees bug saliva as an allergy trigger. It releases histamines, a hormone that tells your body to fight the invader, which is why those bites itch. Scratching encourages your body to increase the immune response, thus increasing the itching.

You’re at risk for a skin infection. Hundreds of thousands of bacteria lurk under fingernails. When you scratch, your nails break the skin and can leave some nasty bacteria behind. 

When to Seek Medical Help

While flea and bed bug bites usually clear up on their own, there are some symptoms that call for a doctor’s care:

• Pain or itching that gets worse or won’t ease up.
• Signs of an infection: increased redness, warmth, swelling or pus.

Get help quickly if you begin to run a fever of 100.4° F (38° C) or higher.

When to Seek Emergency Care

Both bed bugs and fleas can cause potentially life-threatening allergic reactions. Get emergency treatment for any of these symptoms:

• Hives
• Rash
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Swelling of the lips and tongue

Note: Flea bite reactions also can produce dizziness, nausea, and chest pain.

Treating Flea Bites on Children

Bed bug and flea bites are just as itchy and annoying for children as they are for adults. Fortunately, most of the same treatments work for them, too:

• A wash with soap and water to soothe the itch and ward off infection.
• Home remedies, such as calamine lotion and cold compresses.
• Over-the-counter anti-itch creams.

Scratching also is a no-no for kids in order to prevent skin infections. Cut your child’s nails short, or put a bandage over the bites.

Bed Bug Bites vs. Flea Bites on Pets

Generally, bed bugs prefer human hosts, but if they can’t get to you, they’ll go after your dog, cat, rabbit, or chickens.  Fleas are the opposite: They’d rather bite your pets (and burrow into their fur), but they’ll snack on you in a pinch.

Either way, itchy bites from either pest can make Champ and Tiger miserable. The damage can go beyond scratching: Your pets can have an allergic reactions to the bite, plus they can pick up diseases from fleas, including:

• Anemia
• Tapeworm
• Canine Bartonellosis

Bed Bug Bites on Pets

Bites usually present as red bumps on a pet’s belly and limbs. Generally, bed bugs don’t stay on pets, since it’s apparently hard to bite through fur. You’ll likely not see bed bugs, but be on the lookout for excessive scratching and licking.

Treating Bed Bug Bites on Pets

For everyone’s safety, the best thing to do is get rid of the bed bugs. But many home remedies, such as washing with soap and lukewarm water and cold compresses, can help relieve your pet’s itching. Check with your vet before using topical steroid or anti-itch cream.

Flea Bites  

On your pets, flea bites can present as raised pink or red spots, either singly or in clusters. These bites can show up in several areas, since fleas like to burrow into fur. Check these areas for bites or scabs:

• Around the tail.
• Back of the rear legs.
• Groin and belly.
• Neck (and around the collar).
• Ears for signs of scratching, redness, or flea dirt.

Other Methods

• If you don’t see obvious bites, observe your pet for excessive scratching, licking, or head shaking.
• To check a dog: Get Champ to lay down on a white piece of paper or a paper towel, then run a flea comb through his fur. Any flea dirt will fall onto the paper.
• To check a cat: Do a reverse rub — lift Fluffy’s fur from tail to head to check her skin.

Treating Flea Bites

Like bed bugs, it’s best to get rid of the fleas to protect yourself and your pets. But there are things you can do to rid Champ and Fluffy of the pests:

A bath: Warm water and a mild soap will drown any active fleas. Talk to your vet before using a flea shampoo, especially if your pet has raw spots.

Combing: Use a fine-tooth flea comb to go over your pet’s fur. Keep a container of hot, soapy water nearby to dunk the comb in should you pick up a live flea. Comb often to keep ahead of the pests.

Use flea control: Consider starting your pet on a flea-and-tick medication that can kill existing fleas and keep others away. Such medications can be purchased over the counter or by prescription and come in topical or oral form.

FAQ

Are Sand Fleas Actually Fleas?

Not all ‘sand fleas’ are fleas.  One type of ‘flea’ is actually a crustacean that belongs to the Talitridae family. Generally, they’re found along the Atlantic coast and don’t bite.

True sand fleas are the Tunga penetrans, also called the chigoe flea or jigger flea.They are usually found in tropical climates but are rare in the U.S.  The female chigoe burrows into the skin to feed as it lays eggs. The result can be tungiasis, a potentially life-threatening parasitic infection.

How Many Species of Fleas Exist?

According to the CDC, more than 2,500 species of fleas exist around the world. More than 300 live in the U.S. The most common flea found on domestic animals is the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis). There is a dog flea (Ctenocephalides canis) that’s not usually seen on U.S. dogs.

How can I Protect my Family from Fleas?

The best way to protect yourself from fleas is to get rid of the pests. But there are things you can do while you’re treating your pets and waiting for the pest control company to arrive.

Cover yourself:  Fleas tend to live at floor level, so your feet and legs are most at risk. They don’t bite through clothing, so wearing long pants, socks, and shoes will help prevent attacks.

Use insect repellent: To ward off fleas, the CDC suggests using repellents with:

•  DEET
•  Picaridin
•  IR3535
•  Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE) 
•  Para-menthane-diol (PMD)
•  or 2-undecanone

Always follow package directions, and don’t use Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD) on children younger than 3.

When to Call in The Pros

Battling an infestation of bed bugs or fleas can be difficult. Both pests are good at hiding and can pop up again despite your best efforts. 

If your DIY attempts aren’t working, then it’s time to call in a local pest control company. A pest control pro can quickly find and eradicate bed bugs or fleas from your home, making life more comfortable for you and your pets.

Main Image Credits:
Bed Bug Bite: Oliver Arend / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Flea Bite: jxfzsy / Canva Pro / License