Bed bugs actually create red itchy welts on the skin from biting you while the carpet beetle doesn t bite at all but causes a similar red itchy welt due to an allergic reaction from the prickly little hairs on the carpet beetle larvae pictured center.
Carpet beetle rash vs bed bug bites.
These rashes will often itch and may even create a burning sensation.
Bed bugs do not damage your belongings.
However rashes from bed bugs are from bites while rashes from carpet beetles are from allergic reactions.
Interestingly enough in nearly all of the cases where it is not a bed bug infestation we encounter carpet beetles instead or sometimes both pests.
I started to think that they were bed bug bites but the exterminator found only carpet beetles.
And i really hope you haven t.
Most doctors have trouble pinpointing exactly what causes someone s dermatitis.
The adult carpet beetle usually finds entry points to access the property or just fly in through an opened window or door unlike bed bugs that are being introduced with infested luggage or furniture.
However carpet beetles obviously cause carpet beetle dermatitis because that is where the name comes from.
Bed bugs bites are a lot more frequent than carpet beetle rash.
Check the area with a magnifying glass for the shed larval skins remembering that even a single carpet beetle skin could result in multiple bite like reactions due.
It started to go away over the past few days but the rash then started to spread onto my neck my lower back the center of my back and across my shoulders.
This saliva causes an allergic reaction in some people which registers as raised red welts that itch.
Although it s hard to know the difference if you ve never experienced both.
However there is another one called carpet beetle dermatitis which can cause you to have an itchy rash on the affected area of your skin.
Carpet beetles can also leave red bumps on your skin but they aren t bites.
This usually occurs when you are asleep and there are carpet beetles around the area of your bed.
I have always been allergic to bug bites and i was the only one in getting bitten.
The result of carpet beetle bites will be tiny red rashes on your skin.
If only one person in the bed is getting bites or a rash it s more likely that you have.
If you search for bed bug signs and find no traces carpet beetles could be the pest especially if you are getting a number of bites every night.
They simply bite you while you sleep.
Bed bugs feed on blood while carpet beetles feed on nectar pollen wool hair bristles feathers silk furs insect collections dried plants clothing and fabrics.
Bed bug bites are itchier and the carpet beetle s rash is more painful.
The bug injects anesthetic and anticoagulant into your skin with its mouth to ensure a quick feeding that won t disturb your sleep.
