Bed Bugs: The Classic “Came From Another House, Then It Started” Pattern
Bed bug bites are infamous for showing up after someone spends time on an infested couch, bed, or carpet.
You don’t have to sleep there. Sitting and hanging out can be enough.
Common clues:
- Itchy red bumps or welts
- Often in clusters or a rough “line” pattern (people call it “breakfast, lunch, dinner”)
- Frequently on arms, shoulders, neck, upper back—skin that’s exposed during sleep
- New bites may appear over 1–3 days as reactions develop
What to do today (practical):
- Wash and dry worn clothes and bedding on hot if possible.
- Avoid scratching (easier said than done) to reduce infection risk.
- Use an over-the-counter anti-itch option you tolerate (for many people: oral antihistamine at night, mild hydrocortisone on small areas).
- Check your sleeping area: mattress seams, bed frame cracks, behind headboard, couch seams.
Reality check: You can get bites without ever seeing the bugs. They hide extremely well.
But there’s another culprit that looks similar and can spread by close contact—especially when you’re helping a child settle down.
Read more on the next page ⬇️⬇️⬇️
