I Blamed the Bugs… But That Wasn’t the Real Problem

I Thought I Had Bug Bites... Turns Out I Was Making It Much Worse

As you probably know by now, I love hiking and spending as much time outdoors as I can. But sometimes... the outdoors don't exactly love me back.

I've always been the person who gets eaten alive by bugs. It seems like everyone else can walk through the woods untouched while I come home covered in itchy bumps. So after a hike a couple of weekends ago, I noticed a few spots on my feet and ankles that were itching more than usual.

Naturally, I assumed they were bug bites.

I'm also the person swatting at every mosquito, jumping when something flies a little too close to my face, and convincing myself every little itch means a bug is crawling on me. If one lands on me, there's a good chance everyone within a mile hears about it. So instead of thinking twice, I did what most people probably do... I scratched.

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The More I Scratched, the Worse It Got

Instead of fading after a day or two, the spots became even more irritated. They started blistering, and they looked nothing like the bug bites I usually get after a hike.

I happened to be FaceTiming my great aunt when she noticed me scratching and asked to see my ankles.

The second she looked, she said, "Hon... those aren't bug bites. Those are blistering. You need to get some ointment on those before they get worse."

Sure enough, she was right.

That whole experience got me thinking. How many of us automatically assume every itchy bump after being outside is a bug bite?

As it turns out, bug bites, poison ivy, and other skin rashes can look surprisingly similar at first, but there are a few key differences that can help you figure out what's really going on before you accidentally make it worse... like I did.

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How to Tell if It's Actually a Bug Bite

Bug bites are usually pretty easy to spot once you know what you're looking for.

Most insect bites:

• Look like small, raised bumps.
• May have a tiny puncture mark in the center.
• Often appear in clusters around your ankles, feet, or exposed skin.
• Usually itch more than they hurt.
• Start improving within a few days if you leave them alone.

If you've been walking through tall grass, mosquitoes, chiggers, and fleas are all common culprits.

Source: American Academy of Dermatology

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Poison Ivy Looks Very Different

Poison ivy can easily be mistaken for bug bites at first, especially if the rash is just beginning.

Some clues that point toward poison ivy include:

•  Red streaks or lines where the plant brushed against your skin.
•  Tiny fluid-filled blisters.
•  Intense itching that seems to get worse over time.
•  New spots appearing over the next few days as your skin continues reacting to the plant's oil.

Contrary to what many people think, scratching doesn't spread poison ivy. However, it can break the skin, increasing your risk of infection and making the irritation much worse.

Source: American Academy of Dermatology

Could It Just Be a Rash?

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Sometimes the answer isn't bugs or poison ivy.

A rash can develop from:

• Heat and sweat.
• Friction from hiking boots or socks.
• Laundry detergent or soap.
• Allergic reactions.
• Certain plants that aren't poison ivy.

Unlike bug bites, rashes often cover a broader area and don't usually have a single raised bump or bite mark.

Source: Cleveland Clinic

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When It's Time to Stop Guessing

If your skin starts blistering, becomes painful, spreads quickly, develops pus, or isn't getting any better after several days, it's time to call your healthcare provider.

And if you ever experience swelling around your face, trouble breathing, or a severe allergic reaction after a bite or plant exposure, seek emergency medical care immediately.

Source: Mayo Clinic

The Moral of My Story

I still love hiking.

I still don't love bugs.

But the next time I come home covered in itchy bumps, I'm going to take a closer look before automatically blaming mosquitoes.

Because sometimes, what looks like a simple bug bite could actually be something that needs a completely different treatment.

Hopefully my itchy little mistake saves you from making the same one.