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09/20/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/20/2024 12:32

Bedbug Bites vs. Flea Bites: How to Tell the Difference (With Pictures)

Key takeaways:

  • Bedbugs and fleas can both cause itchy bites. Flea bites are more likely on the ankles and lower legs, while bedbug bites are more likely on the back, arms, and legs.

  • When bedbugs bite, they usually leave behind other clues. You may be able to find blood stains or fecal matter on the sheets and shed skin in the mattress seams.

  • People with flea bites have usually been exposed to pets that carry them.

  • Over-the-counter treatments can help reduce itching, but getting rid of the underlying infestation is the only way to prevent future bites.

Marija Bazarova/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Bedbugs and fleas both cause itchy bites that can be more than just a nuisance. They can keep you up at night and make it hard to concentrate. It's important to find out what's biting you so you can get rid of the underlying problem. But here's the challenge: Bedbug bites and flea bites can look similar, making it hard to know which bug is the culprit.

Fortunately, there are some key differences that can help you tell them apart. Here, we'll take a look at how bedbug bites and flea bites compare, including what they look like (with pictures).

Bedbug bites

Bedbugs are small insects that feed on human blood. They can live in your house and cause an infestation that's hard to get rid of. Bedbugs are great hitchhikers that can travel between locations on things like clothing and luggage. If you have them in your home, they probably came from somewhere else, like a hotel or someone's house.

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Bedbug bite symptoms

Bedbug bites can cause a range of different skin reactions. Some people won't develop any noticeable skin changes other than a tiny hole where they were bitten. Other people will develop very itchy skin bumps that are small, smooth, and raised. On fair skin, these are pink or red. On darker skin, they can look violet, brown, or skin-colored.

Bedbugs can bite anywhere on your skin, but they often target the legs, arms, neck, and back. They usually bite as they move across the skin, causing a linear or zigzag pattern of bites.

Other signs of a bedbug infestation

In addition to having bedbug bites on your skin, there are other signs that you could have a bedbug infestation. Here are some common ones:

  • Bedbugs (in mattress seams, around the bed board, or in the folds of curtains and sheets)

  • Shed skin (yellow outer shells in the mattress seams)

  • Bloodstains (small red or black stains on the sheets)

  • Fecal matter (tiny black dots on the bedding)

  • Eggs (tiny white eggs in the mattress seams)

  • Smell (a sweet or musty odor, if there are a lot of bed bugs)

Flea bites

Fleas are tiny, wingless parasites that can jump more than 100 times their length. They survive by feeding on blood and usually live on animals (like house pets). They can also live in places like rugs and mattresses for up to 2 months without feeding. Some types of fleas, like the cat flea and dog flea, can also bite and feed on humans.

Unlike bedbugs, fleas can sometimes carry diseases that can infect humans, like cat scratch disease and the plague.

Flea bite symptoms

When fleas bite humans, their saliva can cause an allergic reaction in the skin. This causes small, itchy bites to form. In darker skin, they can be brown, violet, or skin-colored. In fairer skin, they're usually pink or red. Sometimes, bites can have a pale or discolored ring around them.

Fleas can bite anywhere on the body, but they're most likely to bite around the ankles and lower legs. This is because they jump up from the ground and onto the skin to bite. Bites usually happen in lines or clusters, and there can be dozens of them at a time.

Comparing bedbug bites and flea bites

This chart summarizes some key differences between bedbug bites and flea bites.

Bedbugs

Fleas

Where do they bite?

Anywhere, but often on the arms, legs, neck, and back

Anywhere where fleas can jump, so usually ankles and lower legs

What's the bite pattern?

Linear or zigzag pattern

Lines or clusters

When do they bite?

Usually at night

Any time of day

Can they carry other diseases?

No

Yes, like cat scratch disease and the plague

Other clues to look for?

Signs of bedbugs in your home, like shed skins in mattress seams or bloodstains on the sheets

Household pets with fleas

Pictures of bedbug bites

Here are some close-up pictures of bedbug bites to help you know what to look for.

Several bedbug bites on the arm.
Several bedbug bites on the leg.

Pictures of flea bites

Here are pictures of flea bites on humans to help you know what to look for.

Many flea bites on the back.
Many flea bites around the ankle and lower leg.

How to treat bedbug and flea bites

Bedbug and flea bites usually go away without any treatment. Some of these home and over-the-counter (OTC) treatments can help soothe itchy bites while they heal:

If your itching is severe and doesn't improve with these treatments, a healthcare professional can prescribe stronger steroid creams.

Keep in mind that treating bites only improves symptoms, but it doesn't get rid of the main problem. It's important to eliminate the bedbug or flea infestation to prevent bites from happening in the future.

Frequently asked questions

What other bites can look like bedbug and flea bites?
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Mosquito bites can look like bedbug and flea bites. The difference is that you usually only have a few mosquito bites at a time, on skin that's not covered by clothes.

Sometimes, mild spider bites can also look similar. But spider bites have a few key differences, as they're more likely to:

  • Be just a single bite, instead of multiple

  • Have two central bite marks

  • Develop discolored skin around the bite

What if you have bites, but no signs of bedbugs or fleas?
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It's possible that you've been bitten by mosquitos or a spider instead. It could also be hives, which is a rash that can look like insect bites. If you're not sure what type of bites you have, talk to a dermatologist who can help you get the right diagnosis.

How long do flea bites or bedbug bites last?
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Both flea bites and bedbug bites usually last for about a week or two. If you scratch them and they get infected, they could last longer and need antibiotic cream to heal.

The bottom line

Bedbugs and fleas both cause small, itchy bites that can appear in clusters or lines. Bedbugs usually bite at night and are more likely to appear on the arms, legs, back, and neck. Fleas usually bite around the lower legs and ankles. When someone has bedbug bites, there are usually other signs of bedbugs, like blood stains or fecal matter on the bedsheets. People with flea bites usually have exposure to animals that carry fleas, like a dog or cat in the home. OTC treatments can help reduce the itch. But it's important to eliminate the underlying bedbug or flea infestation to prevent future bug bites.

Why trust our experts?

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who has practiced dermatology and dermatopathology for over 10 years across private practice, academic, and telehealth settings. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatopathology.
Edited by:
Karla Robinson, MD
Karla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

Images used with permission from VisualDx (www.visualdx.com)

References

American Academy of Dermatology Association. (n.d.). Bedbugs: Diagnosis and treatment.

Anderson, J., et al. (2024). Flea bites. StatPearls.

View All References (4)
expand_more

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). About fleas.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Getting rid of fleas.

Goddard, J., et al. (2009). Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) and clinical consequences of their bites. Journal of the American Medical Association.

Murray, K. (n.d.). School pest solutions. Maine School IPM Program.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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