Do Bed Bug Bites Spread on your Body?

by Yamu Taal
(The Gambia)

Reader Question: Do bed bug bites spread on your body?

Response From Our Editor

Hi Yamu,

While all of us can be bitten by bed bugs, only some of us show any type of skin reaction. This reaction is an allergy and like allergies, everyone is different (some have strong allergies some are only mildly allergic.)

Most people see a skin reaction within a day of being bitten. Bites from several bed bugs can be seen at the same time on the back, hands, face, and arms (exposed skin areas during sleep.) Bites are usually grouped together in clusters of 3 or 4.

Bites do not spread, however, a highly allergic person might see a bigger reaction over a larger body area than a person that isn't as allergic. In general, the answer to your question is no.

As an aside, bed bug bites are also frequently confused with bites from spiders, ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes.

Hope that helps.

Jeff