Scabies vs. Bed Bugs: How to Identify and Treat Them

Scabies and bed bugs can both bring about itching, discomfort, and other skin-related symptoms. While these symptoms are not life-threatening, they can be unpleasant and irritating. It's crucial to differentiate whether the rashes and itching you experience are due to scabies mites or bed bugs to ensure you get the right treatment and take steps to prevent the infestation from spreading. 

In this article, we'll discuss the main differences between scabies and bed bugs, as well as their respective treatment options and how you can eliminate any infestations. 

What are scabies mites? 

Scabies mites are the main culprits that cause a contagious skin condition called scabies. They are microscopic insect-like parasites. Scabies burrow into the outer layer of the human skin and feed on tissue. This is where they will live, create tunnels, lay eggs, and hatch them. 

Each day, an adult female mite can lay two to three eggs that will hatch after approximately 2 to 3 weeks. When these eggs hatch, the larvae make their way to the skin's surface, which leads to the spread of scabies to other parts of the body. 

What are bed bugs? 

Bed bugs are small, wingless insects that feed on either human blood or blood from other mammals, like dogs and cats. Unlike scabies mites, bed bugs can be seen by the naked eye. Adult bed bugs are reddish-brown in color and are about the size of an apple seed. These insects can survive without a blood meal for several months. 

Bed bugs have mouthparts specially adapted to pierce the human skin and suck blood. As they feed, they inject saliva with anticoagulant properties to prevent the blood from clotting. While bed bug bites can cause itching and unpleasant symptoms, they are not known to carry or spread any disease. 

Bed bugs vs. scabies symptoms and signs of infestation 

It’s important to know the different signs and symptoms of both scabies vs bed bug bites in order to receive an accurate diagnosis and treatment. Here are some ways you can differentiate between bed bug bites and scabies bites. 

Symptoms to look out for 

Scabies bites can lead to the following symptoms: 

• Intense itching that typically worsens at night and can lead to poor sleep

• Pus-filled blisters, which are more common in children

• Patchy rashes, known as a scabies rash

• Scaly or crusted scabies skin sores

• Pimple-like bumps on the skin

If you've never had scabies mites, symptoms may only appear after 4-8 weeks. If you have had scabies bites in the past, symptoms may appear 1-4 days after exposure. 

Bed bug bites present differently from scabies. Bed bugs may cause the following symptoms: 

• Swollen, flat, red welts

• Intense itching

• Welts in a zig zag pattern

• Clusters of three to five itchy bites on the skin

The symptoms of bed bug bites can differ from one person to another. Some individuals might not experience symptoms, while others may notice large rashes. 

You may first notice small, indistinct, red lesions, but these can develop into larger, circular welts. These bite marks may look like mosquito bites, and, at times, they might even resemble generalized rashes or hives if the bed bug infestation is large enough. 

Some people might experience an allergic reaction to bed bug bites and develop painful swelling or anaphylaxis, a severe, life-threatening reaction. However, a severe allergic reaction is extremely rare. 

Infestation signs 

Scabies infestations usually occur in areas of the body with skin folds, such as the inner wrists, inner elbows, knees, penis, shoulder blades, or between the fingers. They rarely affect exposed skin on the face or neck. 

Scabies mites burrow and create tunnels just below the skin's surface. You may notice tiny white or skin-colored lines in the affected areas. The other main signs of a scabies infestation are the usual symptoms like severe itching and rashes. 

These microscopic mites are contagious and spread through direct and prolonged skin-to-skin contact with an individual who has scabies mites. It typically takes around 10 minutes of skin-to-skin contact for this transmission to occur. If you and other household members are experiencing the same set of symptoms, it may be a telltale sign of a scabies infestation. 

However, if you have been waking up with itchy rashes on your skin, you might have a bed bug problem. Some other signs of bed bug infestations include the following: 

• A musty odor in your room

• Rusty-colored stains and blood spots on your bedding or bed frames

• Black specks of fecal material on your bedding 

• Translucent empty bed bug shells, which are the bed bug's molted skin 

• Small, pearl-white eggs in your mattress seams or joints 

Bed bugs cannot be transmitted directly, but they can quickly catch a ride on a person's clothing, bedding, or luggage, where they lay eggs and spread to new areas. 

Bed bugs vs. scabies treatment 

Once you've determined the most likely culprit of your symptoms, you can then seek the appropriate treatment. 

Scabies treatment

There aren't any available over-the-counter medications for scabies treatment. If you suspect that you have scabies, it's essential to seek medical treatment from a healthcare professional. 

Your doctor will be able to prescribe a scabicide cream to be applied to the whole body, which is designed to kill the scabies mites. You may be recommended any of the following prescription medications for scabies:

• Permethrin cream 

• Crotamiton (Eurax) cream or lotion 

• Benzyl benzoate lotion 

• Sulfur ointment 

• Lindane lotion

All household members may be required to undergo treatment, even if they do not show any symptoms. This is the most effective way to prevent recurrences or new outbreaks. You can also ask your doctor for oral or topical medication to help with the itching and rashes.  

Bed bug treatment 

Bed bug bites often resolve on their own. However, topical creams containing a corticosteroid can help minimize itching and swelling. In order to prevent an infection, you should also avoid scratching the affected regions. 

You do not necessarily need to see a medical professional for bed bug bites unless you experience severe itching that causes intense scratching and open wounds. However, you should seek prompt treatment from a pest-control professional to exterminate the infestation from your home.

Dealing with infestations 

It's important to get rid of any bed bugs and scabies infestations to prevent new outbreaks or recurring symptoms. 

Scabies infestation

Scabies mites will die if they are not in contact with human skin for 2-3 days. Scabies prefer crowded areas where there is a lot of direct skin-to-skin contact.

If you have an active infestation, it’s important that mites do not gain access to human skin. You should wash bedding, blankets, clothing, and towels in hot water and dry them in a dryer under high temperatures. Put these items aside and avoid contact with them for at least 2-3 days. 

Bed bug infestation 

Bed bugs are commonly found in hotel rooms and live where people sleep, within mattresses, couches, and other furniture. These areas allow them to stay close to a human host. Here are some steps you can carry out to kill bed bugs and eliminate the infestation: 

• Vacuum the rugs, furniture, floor, bed frames, around the bed legs, and under the bed

• Wash your bedding and clothes for 30 minutes in hot water 

• Dry clean any bedding and clothes at high temperatures in your dryer

• Wash and dry your bed sheets, blankets, and clothing regularly. 

• Cover up any cracks in your furniture or walls. 

If the infestation is widespread, it's best to seek the help of a pest control professional. 

Pest prevention methods

It’s important to identify the original cause of the scabies or bed bug infestation and eliminate it to prevent them from returning. You can also conduct regular inspections to avoid future pest infestations.

References

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544306/ 

2. https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/bedbugs/faqs.html 

3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3255965/ 

4. https://www.epa.gov/bedbugs/bed-bugs-appearance-and-life-cycle 

5. https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/scabies/gen_info/faqs.html 

6. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/scabies-treatment