First AidBites & StingsExplore This TopicShare this articleShareShare on FacebookShare on XShare on PinterestCopy LinkBites & StingsGet the facts about how to recognize and respond to various bites and stings, including mosquitos, spiders, and ticks. Learn how to recognize symptoms, the proper first aid steps, and when to seek medical attention.LEARN MORE1Bug Bites and Stings: Everything You Need to Know2Bitten by a Tick? How to Know3How to Identify and Treat Spider Bites4How to Know When It’s a Chigger Bite5Did a Wasp Sting Me? All About Treatment Options, Allergic Reactions, Home Remedies, and More6Everything You Need to Know About Mite and Flea Bites7Everything You Need to Know About Ant Bites8How to Get Rid of Mosquito Bites: Stopping the ItchSEE MOREWhat Bit Me? Spot These 13 Bug BitesBug bites are irritating, and some can be harmful. Learn to identify the type of bug bite and when to seek emergency medical care.ByAdam FelmanUpdated on October 15, 2024Medically ReviewedbyRoss Radusky, MDNext up video playing in 10 secondsWhat Bit Me? Spot These 12 Bug BitesGetting a bug bite can be a concerning experience, especially if you don’t know what tiny creature left you with that red, throbbing welt on your skin. Don’t panic. Most bug bites and stings from common insects are harmless and heal quickly. But some bug bites and stings, like those from fire ants, wasps, hornets, and bees, may cause intense pain or even a serious allergic reaction. Others, like poisonous spider bites, require immediate emergency medical care.No matter what type of bug bite you have, it is good to know what bit you, and each bite has certain features that can make identifying the culprit and treating the bite easier. Learning to identify a bug bite by how it looks and feels will help you know whether to treat the bug bite at home or seek immediate medical care.Here are 13 bug bites and what they look like.349Bedbug BitesJoel Carillet/iStockYou probably won’t feel pain when a bedbug bites, but you may see three or more clustered red marks, often forming a line.[8] They might show up to 14 days after a bite occurs, as bed bugs inject a substance in their saliva that makes bites harder to spot.[9]Some people develop a mild or severe allergic reaction. This can result in a raised, red skin bump, blister, or a welt known as hives that’s intensely itchy and inflamed for several days.[10]If you have hives, a lot of bites, or notice a bite that looks infected, you should visit a board-certified dermatologist for treatment, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association.[8] Bedbug bites can occur anywhere on your body but typically show up on uncovered areas, such as your neck, face, arms, and hands.[8] Although they’re common and irritating, bedbugs do not carry disease, per the CDC.[11]Meet Our ExpertsSee Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert NetworkRoss Radusky, MDMedical ReviewerCastle Connolly Top DoctorRoss Radusky, MD, is a practicing board-certified dermatologist at the Dermatology Treatment and Research Center in Dallas. Originally from New York City, he graduated summa cum laude from the City University of New York and then received his MD from the New York University School of Medicine. There, he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and served as chapter president for two years. He completed his residency in dermatology at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and Weill Cornell Medical Center, and at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Dr. Radusky practices general and cosmetic dermatology with a focus on the early detection of skin cancer, and provides patients with a personalized approach to looking their best at any age. He has authored articles and textbook chapters on the clues that our finger- and toenails may provide us about internal disease, as well as on comprehensive therapies for cosmetic dermatology and reversing the signs of skin aging.Complementing his medical practice, Radusky has a strong passion for the cultural arts, particularly in expanding access to youths and seniors. He previously served as an artist instructor for the Rockaway Artists Alliance, a New York City nonprofit arts and education organization, and then served as both a board director and treasurer of the organization throughout his medical school training.Radusky enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife Robyn, son Oliver, and poodle Lucy, where he can usually be found preventing photoaging and reducing the risk of skin cancer beneath an umbrella in a wide-brimmed hat. He is also the proud inventor of Sunshotz, the world’s only sunscreen measuring cup, designed to help patients of all ages apply the proper amount of sunscreen needed to enjoy all the sun without the burn.See full bioAdam FelmanAuthorAdam is a freelance writer and editor based in Sussex, England. He loves creating content that helps people and animals feel better. His credits include Medical News Today, Greatist, ZOE, MyLifeforce, and Rover, and he also spent a stint as senior updates editor for Screen Rant.As a hearing aid user and hearing loss advocate, Adam greatly values content that illuminates invisible disabilities. (He's also a music producer and loves the opportunity to explore the junction at which hearing loss and music collide head-on.)In his spare time, Adam enjoys running along Worthing seafront, hanging out with his rescue dog, Maggie, and performing loop artistry for disgruntled-looking rooms of 10 people or less.See full bioSee Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert NetworkSign up for our Healthy Skin Newsletter!Enter your emailSubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. , These photos of 11 common bug bites and stings can help you identify what's responsible. Plus, symptoms and expert tips to help identify and treat insect bites., There are many different types of insects and their bites or stings can cause different reactions, some mild, some life-threatening. Once you know what stung or bit you, you can determine the right course of treatment and whether you need to worry about getting bitten or stung again..