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Are Red Bumps On Body Suggestive Of Bed Bugs?

Posted on Fri, 8 May 2015

Question: I have red bumps on my body . Two on my neck and one on arm and one on my foot . Could it be bed bugs or fleas ?

Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (26 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Bed bugs also can give such bumps.

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thank you for asking HCM.

I have gone through your query. Bed bugs can give red bumps on neck and arms. If you send a picture of that then it will be more helpful in identifying.

Bed bug bites are usually in clusters. Each clusters can contain 3 to 5 bites in zig zag pattern. Check your bed for bed bugs or tiny blackish specks which is its excreta.
Antihistamine like cetirizine orally and calamine lotion for local application will be helpful. But if there is no improvement then local corticosteroid creams will be needed. In case the lesions get infected antibiotics also will be needed.

Hope this may help you. Let me know if anything not clear.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Nishad BN (20 minutes later)

How do I send a photo ? Can't find how to

I don't have any visible signs of bed bugs in my bed, could it be something else ?

Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Bed bugs won't be visible all time.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for your follow up.

Bed bugs won't be visible all time. They will hide inside and come out while you are sleeping. See whether it is multiplying. Bed bug lesion wont multiplying from itself. If multiplying from existing lesions to new then it can be scabies.

There is photo uploading option on the right side of this query page. Please utilise that. Alternatively, You can send to images to YYYY@YYYY qith subject line as "attention to Dr XXXXXXX bn".

You can apply calamine lotion locally initially and take over the counter antihistamines like benadryl.

Hope this may help you. Let me know if anything not clear.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Nishad BN (55 minutes later)

Ok thanks- I sent an email with pics. I greatly appreciate it !
XXXX

Did you receive the email ?

Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It looks like flea bite.

Detailed Answer:
Hi and welcome.

Thank you for your follow up.

I got your pictures. It looks like flea bite. You can manage this with applying calamine lotion locally and antihistamine orally. Avoid scratching.

In case there is no improvement you should consult a dermatologist. Dermoscopy or microscopy of scraping from the area should be done in such case.

Hope this may help you. Let me know if anything not clear.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Nishad BN (30 minutes later)

How do you get flea bites if you don't own a pet ? I live in an apartment building . Can you see them ? These bumps have occurred twice to me already . Are they in my apt now even if I don't own a pet ?

Also , the two other times I got them , I was outside before and doing things with dogs around. Are they in my home now?

Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (17 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Can be from dogs or from neighbours.

Detailed Answer:
Hi and Welcome again.

Thank you for your follow up.

I have seen all the pictures with bite lesions.

Fleas can be from dogs or from neighbours pets. Another possibility is rats if you have in your apartment. It can also spread from dogs and stay with human beings in hair for some time. It can hide at your home also. You can spray some insecticide which contain insect growth regulator to your surroundings. Methoprene or pyriproxyfen can be used for this. Also vacuum your surroundings as well as wash your all cloths.

Hope this may help you. Let me know if anything not clear.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Nishad BN (18 minutes later)

Do I have lesions based on the pictures and what do the lesions mean ? Do fleas come out at any time of the year ? I've vaccines and washed everything . Why does this keep happening ?

Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Lesions means the bitten area with redness.

Detailed Answer:
Hi and Welcome again.

Thank you for your follow up.

Lesions means just the bitten area with redness. It is just a skin reaction. Nothing to worry. It will mostly subside with antihistamines and calamine lotion.

Fleas can be there all the year round. But in spring and summer it can be more. Washing the pets and applying insecticide for that timely will help to get rid off this.

If you get this very often then better avoid being with such pets also.

Hope this may help you. Let me know if anything not clear.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar

Follow up: Dr. Nishad BN (5 minutes later)

Ok one more ?- once they bite you , are they still in my home ? Should I contact a pest control facility ?

Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It is not must that it should be at your home.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome again.

They usually bite and leave. They will remain with pets like dogs or cats only. In human hair they can hide for some time only.

But if you get repeated episodes of bite when you at home with out any contact with pets then you can make sure that it is at your home.
In such case you can contact pest control.

Hope this may help you. Let me know if anything not clear.
Thanks.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar