Around a week or so ago, I asked my friend if I could use his old apartment while I was having mine renovated, and he agreed.

However, only after a couple of days, I noticed strange bumps appear on my skin, especially my legs and my back. Since I hadn’t changed anything regarding my hygiene and used the same shampoo and took regular baths, I guessed it could be related to anything with the place.

Before I could even afford getting to the doctor’s, I searched the net in hopes of learning what could be causing the itchy bumps, and everything pointed to bed bugs.

Well, the place was rather old and the mattress was there for years. However, when I inspected it, I couldn’t find anything. Yet, I took some precautions and had the mattress on the balcony, leaving it on the sun for a day, and then I used multiple bed covers before I slept on it again. Sadly, not much had changed, and I was simply forced to sleep there for the remaining of the week.

According to NHS, bed bugs are tiny insects that often live on furniture or bedding. While their bites don’t pose any health risks, they can be very itchy.

A bed bug bite can make you itchy, uncomfortable, and keep you awake at night. They may also be difficult to distinguish from bites from other insects.

These are some of the symptoms that can help you identify if the bites are from bed bugs. However, not every person experiences them, as many people don’t react at these bites at all.

Red, itchy bumps – Bites from bed bugs appear as red bumps on the skin. Although don’t spread diseases, their bites are very itchy and irritating. While they won’t usually cause a rash, scratching too much can break the skin and lead to bleeding or a secondary infection.

Bites on uncovered skin – Bed bugs usually feed on skin that is exposed during the night.

Time when bites happen – Bed bug bites are not always noticeable right away since the itchy welts can develop after several hours, days, or even weeks. How long they last depends on the individual, their body’s reaction, and the severity of the bites.

Allergic reactions – Some people are more sensitive to bed bug bites than others. In rare cases, bites can cause large red welts, painful swelling around the affected area, or, very rarely, anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that can lead to shock and is life-threatening.

If red bumps suddenly appear on your skin, it would be for the best to contact a medical professional.