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Bug bite bumps. Bed Bug Bites: Identification, Treatment, and Prevention Guide

What do bed bug bites look like. Where do bed bugs typically hide. How can you effectively treat bed bug bites. What are the key signs of a bed bug infestation. How can you prevent bed bugs from entering your home.

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Understanding Bed Bug Bites: Appearance and Symptoms

Bed bug bites are often a cause for concern, but identifying them can be challenging. These tiny nocturnal pests leave behind distinctive marks that can help you recognize their presence. But what exactly should you look for?

Typically, bed bug bites appear as small, red, raised bumps on the skin. They bear a resemblance to mosquito or spider bites, which can lead to confusion. However, there’s a key characteristic that sets bed bug bites apart: they often appear in a line or cluster, usually comprising 3 to 4 bites. This pattern is a result of the bed bug’s feeding behavior, known as “probing.”

Why do bed bugs bite in this pattern? Bed bugs probe the skin in several places to find the best access point for drawing blood. This behavior results in the distinctive line or cluster of bites, often referred to as the “breakfast, lunch, and dinner” pattern.

Common Locations of Bed Bug Bites

Where on your body are you most likely to find bed bug bites? These pests typically target exposed areas of skin during sleep. The most common locations include:

  • Arms
  • Neck
  • Trunk of the body

However, it’s important to note that bed bugs can bite any area of exposed skin. If you wake up with unexplained bites in these areas, especially in a linear or clustered pattern, it might be time to investigate further for bed bugs.

The Elusive Nature of Bed Bugs: Where They Hide and When They Feed

Understanding bed bug behavior is crucial in identifying and addressing an infestation. But where exactly do these pests hide, and when do they come out to feed?

Bed Bug Hiding Spots

Bed bugs are masters of concealment, preferring dark, tight spaces close to their human hosts. Some of their favorite hiding spots include:

  • Mattress seams and corners
  • Box springs
  • Headboards
  • Behind wall hangings and picture frames
  • In electrical outlets
  • Along baseboards

When inspecting for bed bugs, pay close attention to these areas. Look for the bugs themselves, as well as signs of their presence such as small brown stains (fecal matter) or tiny white eggs.

Bed Bug Feeding Habits

When do bed bugs typically feed? These nocturnal creatures are most active when their hosts are in deep sleep, typically between 2:00 and 4:00 AM. This timing isn’t coincidental; it’s an evolutionary strategy that increases their chances of survival by reducing the likelihood of detection.

How often do bed bugs feed? Generally, bed bugs feed every two to three days when a host is readily available. If you notice fresh bites appearing with this frequency, it could be another indicator of a bed bug infestation.

Identifying Bed Bugs: Visual Characteristics and Signs of Infestation

Knowing what bed bugs look like can be crucial in early detection of an infestation. But what exactly should you be looking for?

Physical Appearance of Bed Bugs

Adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed, measuring approximately 5-7 mm in length. They have several distinctive features:

  • Oval-shaped, flat bodies
  • Reddish-brown color (after feeding, they appear more reddish and swollen)
  • Six legs
  • Two antennae
  • Wingless

Juvenile bed bugs, or nymphs, are smaller and lighter in color, often appearing translucent or whitish-yellow. As they mature and feed, they become darker and more reddish-brown.

Signs of Bed Bug Infestation

Besides the bugs themselves, what other signs might indicate a bed bug problem? Look out for:

  1. Rusty or reddish stains on bed sheets or mattresses, caused by crushed bed bugs
  2. Dark spots about the size of a period, which is bed bug excrement
  3. Eggs and eggshells, which are tiny (about 1mm) and pale yellow
  4. Live bed bugs
  5. A sweet, musty odor, often compared to the smell of raspberries

If you notice any of these signs, it’s crucial to act quickly to prevent the infestation from spreading.

Treatment Options for Bed Bug Bites: Relieving Symptoms and Preventing Complications

While bed bug bites aren’t known to transmit diseases, they can be incredibly itchy and uncomfortable. What can you do to alleviate the symptoms and promote healing?

Home Remedies for Bed Bug Bites

Several home remedies can help soothe bed bug bites:

  • Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling and itching
  • Use calamine lotion or an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream to relieve itching
  • Take an oral antihistamine to reduce allergic reactions and itching
  • Keep the affected area clean to prevent secondary infections

Remember, the most important (and often most challenging) aspect of treating bed bug bites is resisting the urge to scratch. Scratching can lead to skin damage and increase the risk of infection.

When to Seek Medical Attention

In most cases, bed bug bites don’t require medical treatment. However, some individuals may experience severe allergic reactions. Seek medical attention if you notice:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Fever
  • Severe itching that persists despite home treatment
  • Signs of infection, such as increased redness, warmth, or pus

While rare, these symptoms could indicate a more serious reaction that requires professional medical intervention.

Eradicating Bed Bugs: Effective Strategies for Pest Control

Discovering a bed bug infestation can be distressing, but there are effective ways to eliminate these pests. What are the most successful strategies for bed bug eradication?

Non-Chemical Control Methods

Before resorting to pesticides, consider these non-chemical approaches:

  • Heat treatment: Bed bugs and their eggs die at temperatures above 120°F (49°C)
  • Cold treatment: Freezing infested items for at least four days can kill bed bugs
  • Vacuuming: Regular, thorough vacuuming can remove bed bugs and their eggs
  • Encasements: Using specially designed mattress and box spring covers can trap existing bed bugs and prevent new infestations

Chemical Control Options

If non-chemical methods prove insufficient, you may need to consider pesticides. However, it’s crucial to use these products carefully and according to label instructions. Some effective chemical treatments include:

  • Pyrethrins and pyrethroids: Common ingredients in many household insecticides
  • Desiccants: These substances destroy the waxy outer coating of bed bugs, causing them to dehydrate
  • Insect growth regulators: These chemicals interfere with bed bug development

For severe infestations, it’s often best to enlist the help of a professional pest control service. They have access to more potent treatments and can develop a comprehensive eradication plan.

Preventing Bed Bug Infestations: Proactive Measures for a Bug-Free Home

While dealing with a bed bug infestation can be challenging, preventing one is far easier. What steps can you take to keep these pests out of your home?

Travel Precautions

Bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers, often entering homes via luggage after travel. To minimize this risk:

  • Inspect hotel rooms thoroughly before unpacking
  • Keep luggage elevated and away from beds and walls
  • Use luggage racks when available
  • Upon returning home, unpack directly into the washing machine and wash and dry clothes on the highest heat setting

Regular Home Inspections

Routine checks can help catch infestations early:

  • Regularly inspect your mattress, box spring, and headboard for signs of bed bugs
  • Check second-hand furniture thoroughly before bringing it into your home
  • Be vigilant about inspecting your home after guests stay over

Remember, early detection is key to preventing a full-blown infestation.

The Impact of Bed Bugs: Psychological and Financial Considerations

While bed bugs don’t transmit diseases, their presence can have significant psychological and financial impacts. How do these tiny pests affect more than just our skin?

Psychological Effects

Dealing with a bed bug infestation can be emotionally taxing. Many people experience:

  • Anxiety and stress
  • Insomnia or sleep disturbances
  • Embarrassment or social stigma
  • Paranoia or excessive worry about reinfestation

These psychological effects can persist even after the infestation has been eliminated. If you’re struggling with these issues, don’t hesitate to seek support from mental health professionals.

Financial Burden

Bed bug infestations can also be costly to address. Expenses may include:

  • Professional pest control services
  • Replacement of infested furniture and belongings
  • Increased cleaning and laundry costs
  • Potential loss of wages due to time off work for extermination appointments

In some cases, renters may face disputes with landlords over who is responsible for treatment costs. Understanding your rights and responsibilities can help navigate these situations.

Bed Bugs in Public Spaces: Recognizing and Avoiding Infestations Outside the Home

While we often associate bed bugs with our homes, these pests can be found in various public spaces. How can you protect yourself when you’re out and about?

Common Public Infestation Sites

Bed bugs can be found in many public places, including:

  • Hotels and motels
  • Public transportation (buses, trains, airplanes)
  • Movie theaters
  • Libraries
  • Schools and universities
  • Office buildings

Being aware of these potential infestation sites can help you stay vigilant and take preventive measures.

Protective Measures in Public Spaces

To minimize your risk of encountering bed bugs in public:

  • Avoid placing personal belongings on upholstered surfaces in public areas
  • Use protective covers on airplane seats
  • Inspect hotel rooms thoroughly before settling in
  • Keep your belongings in sealed plastic bags when using public transportation or visiting potentially infested areas

Remember, awareness and caution are your best defenses against bed bugs in public spaces.

Debunking Bed Bug Myths: Separating Fact from Fiction

There are many misconceptions about bed bugs that can lead to unnecessary worry or ineffective treatment approaches. What are some common myths about bed bugs, and what’s the truth behind them?

Myth: Bed Bugs Can Jump or Fly

Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs cannot jump or fly. They are crawling insects that move by scurrying quickly across surfaces. Their primary method of traveling longer distances is by hitching rides on clothing, luggage, or furniture.

Myth: Bed Bugs Only Live in Dirty Environments

This is a persistent myth that can lead to stigma for those dealing with infestations. In reality, bed bugs are not attracted to dirt or decay. They are drawn to warmth, blood, and carbon dioxide. Clean, high-end hotels can be just as susceptible to bed bugs as any other environment.

Myth: Bed Bugs Transmit Diseases

While bed bug bites can be itchy and annoying, there is no evidence that bed bugs transmit diseases to humans. However, excessive scratching of bites can lead to secondary skin infections.

Myth: You Can Get Rid of Bed Bugs by Leaving the Infested Area Vacant

Bed bugs are resilient and can survive for months without feeding. Simply leaving an infested area empty for a few weeks or even months is not an effective eradication strategy. Professional treatment is often necessary to completely eliminate an infestation.

Understanding these facts about bed bugs can help you approach prevention and treatment more effectively, reducing unnecessary stress and ensuring you take appropriate action if faced with an infestation.

What Do Bed Bug Bites Look Like?

Jump to:

  • What do bed bug bites look like?
  • Where do bed bugs hide?
  • When and where do bed bugs bite?
  • How to treat bed bug bites
  • How do you know if you have bed bugs?

When you think of annoying, common house bugs your mind probably jumps to stink bugs, flies, cockroaches, and spiders. But there’s one home invader that is very different from the rest: bed bugs. While bed bug bites might not be the most common bug bites to receive, if you’ve recently woken up with a few itchy bumps, you might want to keep reading.

The trouble with identifying a bed bug bite—as is true for a lot of insects, including mosquitoes—is that it can be hard to identify the source, as not everyone’s immune response is the same. “Everybody’s going to respond differently,” says Timothy Gibb, Ph.D., a clinical professor of entomology at Purdue University. “Same thing’s true with a mosquito bite. Some people are going to swell up and it’s going to itch. That same mosquito could bite someone else and it’s hardly noticeable.”

In fact, Gibb says some people’s skin doesn’t respond to a bed bug bite at all, which is especially the case for the elderly population. That’s why it can be difficult to determine if your bite is from a bed bug just by looking at it.

However, there are a few things that can tip you off to the fact that bed bugs are the culprit of your bites. Here’s what to know, including bed bug bites pictures to help you visualize the symptoms.

What do bed bug bites look like?

Joel Carillet//Getty Images

The key bed bug bite symptom to look for is a red, raised bump, says Gibb, similar in appearance to a spider or mosquito bite. But what sets bed bugs apart from other insects is that oftentimes, their bites will present in a line or cluster on one part or side of your body. This is the result of what’s called “probing.”

Bed bug bites show up in a line, most often in a cluster of 3 to 4 bites.

“They probe the skin in several different places, I think probably to find best access to draw blood,” says Gibb. In fact, if you have screens on your windows—thereby keeping out other insects that might bite—but are still waking up with a line of 3 or 4 bites on your arm, it’s safe to suspect that bed bugs might be to blame, says Edwin Rajotte, Ph.D., a professor of entomology at Penn State University.

Where do bed bugs hide?

Another way to determine if your bites come from bed bugs is to look for the insects themselves. They naturally like to hide in your mattress, especially in the corners, near the head end, and in the cord that goes around it. They also like to camp out behind the headboard, behind any pictures on the wall, and in electrical sockets.

Adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed and are very flat from top to bottom—almost as thin as a piece of paper—with a brownish color, says Rajotte. Baby bed bugs are also brownish in color, but pinhead-sized. Another key identifier? Look for black spots on your sheets, mattress, and mattress cover, which could be bed bug feces.

John-Reynolds//Getty Images

When and where do bed bugs bite?

Bed bug bites will most commonly occur on the arms, neck, or trunk of the body, says Gibb, although they’ll bite anywhere they can find exposed skin. And—as their name suggests—bed bugs will bite you at night while you’re sound asleep.

“We’ve found it’s most active when people are most sound asleep, and that’s usually from about 2:00 to 4:00 in the morning,” says Gibb. “That’s natural for a parasite like that to do that because it’s going to protect it. People won’t see it, they won’t feel it. It makes their survivorship much more probable.”

Joel Carillet//Getty Images

According to Changlu Wang, Ph.D., extension specialist in entomology at Rutgers University, bed bugs typically feed every two to three days when a host is present, so if fresh bites appear in such a frequency, the timing could be another indicator of their presence.

How to treat bed bug bites

If you’ve been bitten and have an insatiable itch, chances are, you’re going to want to speed up the treatment process. Unfortunately, the best way to do that is also the hardest way to do it: not scratching the bite, says Gibb, which will just further irritate the area.

If you’re having trouble keeping your claws off, you can also try using an antihistamine—think Benadryl or Allegra, which are meant to curb allergy symptoms—to help mute that itchy feeling.

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And if bed bugs are the cause of your bites, realize there’s no urgent need to panic. Yes, they might cost you a pretty penny and can be a pain to get rid of, but bed bugs can’t do any serious damage to your body. “They don’t kill people,” says Gibb. “A parasite would have a hard time surviving if it killed its host, and these do not.”

In fact, they don’t even transmit anything dangerous to you. “They’ve never been shown to transmit any diseases,” says Rajotte. “Unlike mosquitoes and ticks and things, which can transmit some pretty bad diseases, bed bugs do not. And so while they’re annoying and all that, they’re not going to harm your children or anything like that. They’re just annoying and you need to get rid of them.”

Are bed bug bites itchy? Do they hurt?

Although some people will say a bed bug bite hurts somewhat—though not as intensely as the sting of a bee, for example—most complaints are due to the itching the bites cause, says Gibb. And that itching is due to the chemicals the bed bug inserts into your body during the bite, adds Rajotte.

“They’ve become what I consider the perfect parasite, because their mouthparts are kind of interesting,” says Gibb. “They will inject an anesthetic prior to biting, so people won’t feel it. And then they inject an anticoagulant that allows the blood to run easier for them to suck that up.” So while that system works great for the bugs, those left-over chemicals will usually lead to some uncomfortable itching on your end.

Joel Carillet//Getty Images

How long do bed bug bites last?

Although the duration and intensity of a bed bug bite will hugely vary from person to person, you typically won’t feel the effects of a bed bug bite—like itching and those raised red bumps—until mid-morning after a bite due to the anesthetic the bug injects, says Gibb.

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“So they certainly don’t feel it when the bite is occurring, but shortly after, probably within a day, for sure,” he adds.

The bite symptoms typically last for about two weeks, explains Wang. “Some people may still show symptoms after a month,” he says, while others may see their bites dissipate over a few days.

Ready to banish them from your home? Here’s our expert-approved, step-by-step guide to getting rid of bed bugs for good.

How do you know if you have bed bugs?

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD), there are two main ways to know if you have bed bugs lurking in your home: Bed bug bites themselves, and signs of their existence.

First, examine your bug bites (if you have any) and determine if they appear to be from bed bugs or not. As mentioned above, bed bug bites will likely occur on the arms, neck, and trunk of the body, and often appear as a line or row of red, raised bumps on one section of the body. They can also appear in a zig-zag pattern.

Next, inspect your mattress and other furniture for signs of the bed bugs themselves. There may be small specks of blood on the mattress (be sure to look near the seams) or other upholstered furniture, according to the AAD. You also may notice small, black specks, which are excrement from the bed bugs, or tiny, white, oval-shaped specks which are eggs.

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Brielle Gregory

Brielle Gregory previously worked at Men’s Health magazine, where she reported, edited, and fact checked all things health, nutrition, and weight loss related; she currently spends her time digging into similar topics as a freelancer writer and editor. She’s a doting dog mom to a half-corgi and an aspiring world-traveler who’s probably planning her next trip right now (the dog included).

Lyme Disease Symptoms – What Does a Lyme Disease Rash Look Like?

Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness in the United States, affecting up to 300,000 people a year, according to estimates from the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In certain parts of the country (particularly the Northeast or upper Midwest), checking for ticks is practically a summertime rite of passage.

Experts know that Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted from the bite of an infected blacklegged tick (a.k.a. deer tick). But diagnosing the condition isn’t always so straightforward. Once inside your body, the bacteria can wreak havoc in a number of ways. Yes, that can include the classic bullseye-shaped rash. But many of the other symptoms of Lyme disease aren’t as well known, and they can be frustratingly vague.

That’s why it’s important to familiarize yourself with the signs and seek medical attention ASAP if you think you or a loved one may have Lyme. The disease is typically easy to treat as long as you know what to look for.

Early symptoms of Lyme disease

The first signs of Lyme can strike anywhere from 3 to 30 days after getting bitten by an infected tick, the CDC says.

A red rash

Getty Images

Up to 80% of people will develop a red rash (known as erythema migrans) in the days or weeks after contracting Lyme disease. It usually forms at the site of the tick bite, and the redness is basically an allergic reaction to the tick’s saliva, says Nikhil Bhayani, M.D., an infectious disease specialist at Texas Health Hurst-Euless-Bedford.

Lyme disease rashes will often be bullseye-shaped, but they can also just be a red blotch. The rash will usually expand with time and can get as big as 12 inches. It might feel warm to the touch or look a little crusty in the center where you were bitten, but it won’t be itchy or uncomfortable. While common, it’s still worth noting that some people with Lyme may never develop a rash.

Flu-like symptoms

Not everyone experiences a full laundry list of flu-like symptoms. But there’s a good chance you’ll notice at least a few, Dr. Bhayani says. This potentially includes:

  • Fatigue
  • Muscle and joint pain
  • Headache
  • Neck stiffness
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Fever
  • Chills

The flu-like symptoms are a result of your immune system’s attempt to fight off the bacterial infection and help you get better, says Kalpana D. Shere-Wolfe, M.D., an infectious disease specialist the University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus.

Of course, these kinds of symptoms could indicate many different illnesses. One clue that a tick bite caused them? With Lyme disease, you won’t experience the coughing or congestion that often comes with the actual flu, Dr. Shere-Wolfe says.

Later Lyme disease symptoms

After a month or so, people infected with Lyme disease may start showing additional symptoms. These can include:

Larger or additional rashes

As the Lyme disease infection spreads throughout the body, your rash might start to expand even more. You might also develop new, smaller rashes nearby. Like the early rash, these might be bullseye-shaped. But they can also just look splotchy or blob-like, according to the CDC. They might even take on a slightly bluish tint in the middle.

Exhaustion, fuzzy thinking, and other cognitive problems

Borrelia burgdorferi is one of the few bacteria that can cross the blood-brain barrier and infect the central nervous system, explains Timothy J. Sellati, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer for the Global Lyme Alliance. That can lead to inflammation of the brain, which can affect your central nervous system function in a few different ways.

One of those is extreme fatigue, which affects as many as 76% of people with advanced Lyme disease, according to research. Trouble concentrating, loss of coordination, and short-term memory loss are other possible problems, occurring in up to 24% of people. In extreme cases where the disease is left untreated for extended periods, you might even develop facial weakness and behavioral changes, Sellati says.

Intense headaches

The same inflammation that causes fatigue and fuzzy thinking can also lead to headaches, which findings suggest could strike in up to 70% of people with Lyme disease.

Usually, these feel intense and more similar to a migraine than your run of the mill tension headache, Dr. Bhayani says. In addition to throbbing pain, you might also experience hypersensitivity to noise or light.

Severe pain, numbness, or tingling in your joints and muscles

Around 60% of patients will develop joint pain or even arthritis as their Lyme disease progresses, according to a Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine study. Usually, it starts in the joints closest to where you were bitten and can spread from there, especially to areas like the knees. The pain isn’t usually constant, though. Experts don’t fully understand why, but “the symptoms can wax and wane over a period of weeks or months,” Sellati says.

Over time, the disease can attack the cartilage in the joints and lead to tissue damage, says Linda Yancey, M.D., an infectious disease specialist with Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital in Katy, TX.

Like many of the other problems caused by Lyme disease, this one is also triggered by inflammation. “The damage to tissues, bone, and cartilage is caused by the production of pro-inflammatory proteins, the same protein responsible for damage caused by rheumatoid arthritis,” Sellati says.

Heart palpitations, dizziness, or shortness of breath

In addition to invading the central nervous system, Borrelia burgdorferi can make its way into heart tissue. That can cause the tissue to become inflamed, leading to heart palpitations, Sellati explains. It might feel like your heart is pounding, fluttering, or beating faster than usual.

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Usually, it becomes more noticeable with vigorous exercise or stress. The problem isn’t all that common, affecting only around 11% of patients. Still, it can be serious. “If [palpitations] occur frequently, seem to get worse, or are accompanied by chest pain, fainting, severe shortness of breath, or dizziness, you should seek immediate medical attention,” Sellati says.

One thing to note: Generally, shortness of breath is most likely to strike when you’re exerting yourself, but with Lyme that isn’t always the case. “A Lyme disease patient can experience shortness of breath during normal activity that in the past might not have resulted in this response,” Sellati explains.

When to see your doctor about Lyme disease symptoms

It’s best to seek medical attention sooner rather than later. The longer Lyme disease goes untreated, the more likely you are to develop severe complications like intense joint pain, heart problems, or cognitive issues.

Lyme disease treatment: Your doctor should refer you to an infectious disease specialist, who can evaluate your symptoms and decide whether you need testing, Dr. Yancey says. If you test positive, you’ll be given antibiotics to fight the infection.

False-negatives: If your test comes back clean, but you’re convinced that Lyme disease is the culprit, ask to be retested. False negatives are common early on since it takes a few weeks for your immune system to build up antibodies to the bacteria.


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Marygrace Taylor

Marygrace Taylor is a health and wellness writer for Prevention, Parade, Women’s Health, Redbook, and others. She’s also the co-author of Prevention’s Eat Clean, Stay Lean: The Diet and Prevention’s Mediterranean Kitchen. Visit her at marygracetaylor.com.

7 signs of skin cancer that no one pays attention to

Everyone knows that if a mole has changed size or color, you need to urgently run to an oncologist. But it happens that the body gives much less obvious signals that may indicate a malignant skin tumor.

16,000 British people are diagnosed with skin cancer every year, and 2,500 of them eventually die, reports the Mirror. The good news is that 80 to 100 percent of cases found in stage 1 or 2 are easily treatable. How not to overlook the tumor, said dermatologist Ross Perry.

1. Unexplained scars

Basalioma. Photo © Wikimedia Commons

If out of nowhere you have a scar that grows in size, this may be a sign of a basalioma. It occurs on areas of the skin that are exposed to intense sun exposure. The scar may look like a waxy thickening. This is the most common form of skin cancer, but, fortunately, the least dangerous if detected early.

2. Eruptions on the eyelids

Basalioma on the eyelid. Photo © BOPSS

Eyelid malignancies may be brown, black, red, or flesh-colored. They can be hard to the touch, itchy and painful, or shiny and waxy. It is important to record all the changes that occur to them. To protect your eyelids from ultraviolet light, you need to wear sunglasses or a hat, and use sunscreen.

3. Black spots under nails

Subungual melanoma. Video screenshot: YouTube / The Doctors

Subungual melanoma is easily confused with a common bruise. Most often, it occurs under the thumbnail as a result of regular injury to this area. If left untreated, subungual melanoma can spread to other parts of the body.

4. Itching of the scalp

Squamous cell carcinoma. Photo © Brown University

If your head is constantly itching, take a close look at the skin under your hair. Scalp cancer is more common in men and there are three types. Firstly, it is a basalioma, but it is rare and not so dangerous. The second form is squamous cell carcinoma. It affects fair-skinned people who are often exposed to the sun, and appears as scaly red spots, open sores, rough, thickened, or warty areas of the skin, and raised, dimpled growths. But the most dangerous form is melanoma, and it looks like a normal mole.

5. Non-healing ulcers

Basalioma. Photo © Wikimedia Commons

These sores can look lumpy, dry and scaly. They can also itch and bleed. All these signs indicate the risk of developing basalioma.

6. Non-healing “insect bites”

Site of mosquito bite. Photo © Wikimedia Commons

Red bumps, which in the warm season can easily be mistaken for mosquito bites, can actually be something much more serious. If they have not gone away even after a few weeks, you should go to the doctor to rule out the risk of developing skin cancer.

7. Pale patch of skin on the head or neck

Basalioma. Photo © The Skin Cancer Foundation

These spots most often occur on the face, head and neck after prolonged exposure to the sun. If they do not disappear within four weeks, it is worth making an appointment with a dermatologist.

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    The doctor named the signs of skin cancer that can be detected at home

    The doctor named the signs of skin cancer that can be detected at home

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    MOSCOW, May 31 – RIA Novosti . Some symptoms of skin cancer at the initial stage of the disease can be detected on your own by looking at your body in the mirror, British doctor Ross Perry told in a commentary on Daily Mirror .

    For example, according to a doctor, small red bumps on the skin that are easily mistaken for mosquito bites may actually be signs of skin cancer.

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    “The patient may decide that he was bitten by insects, but in this case, the marks on the skin will disappear within a couple of weeks and will gradually decrease every day,” the doctor explained.

    If he found non-healing wounds that cause discomfort, he advised to consult a specialist.