Whats the difference between bed bug bites and poison ivy rash?

Answer 1

Bed bug bites are distinct, raised areas which appear to be mosquito bites. The number of them that one receives depends upon the severity of the infestation; bed bugs feed, on average, once every three to five days, and each feeding requires three to ten minutes. The bites will normally be found on areas of skin which are exposed during sleep. They are generally white at first, but they frequently turn red after a period of time. The most telling symptom is that they almost always itch intensely, and the lesions remain prominent upon the skin for several days, unlike mosquito bites.

Poison ivy rash, on the other hand, does not consist of individual mosquito-bite-like bumps. It is found on relatively large areas of skin, and it is chacterized by many closely-spaced, tiny, blister-like eruptions on the surface of the skin. These blisters, if opened, exude a small quantity of watery liquid, much like miniature burn blisters. This rash can be quite extensive, depending upon the areas exposed to the oily allergen in the plant and the individual's sensitivity to the oil. Poison ivy rash can also cause much discomfort due to itching. The real risk with the rash is that the epidermis is often removed by scratching the itch, exposing the skin to various infectious agents.