When a bed bug (Cimex lectularius) feeds on its host, this feeding is called a “blood meal”. A typical blood meal take 5 to 10 minutes to complete. Often bed bugs will bite serially resulting in a row of bites. Bites are most commonly inflicted on exposed skin, such as face, neck, arms, and hands. Bed bug bites are usually painless and often are noticed after the person awakes or even a day or two later. 

There are a variety of reactions to bed bug bites. While many people have no or limited symptoms, many other people’s reactions may be more severe. The typical bed bug bite is seen as a small, red, and swollen area on the skin. A common feature of bed bug bites is a central point or dot in the center of the bite. Bed bug bites are frequently intensely itchy similar to hives. The reaction to a bed bug bite may sometimes be delayed for up to 10 days. This delay can contribute to confusion about where and when someone encountered the bed bugs initially. 

Bed bites will generally heal on their own eventually but it may take 3 to 6 weeks. In the meantime, if the infestation continues, it’s likely new bites will accumulate before earlier ones heal. Infection of bed bug bites is possible, especially for people that scratch at the bites which further damages and irritates the skin.