Insect
Severity: Varies
Within minutes of a sting or bite
Bedbug bite allergy
Itchy welts from bedbug bites.
Common triggers
- Bedbug bite and products containing it
Symptoms
- Pain, redness and swelling at the sting or bite
- Widespread hives or itching
- Swelling of the face, lips or throat
- Wheezing or difficulty breathing
- Anaphylaxis in severe cases
Avoidance & management
- Avoid nests, hives and known habitats
- Wear covering clothing and avoid strong scents outdoors
- Use insect repellent and screens
- Carry an adrenaline auto-injector if prescribed
- Seek urgent help for a severe reaction
Sources & references
Allergy safety: what everyone should know
Mild-to-moderate reaction signs
- Itching, hives or a raised rash
- Swelling of lips, face or eyes
- Tingling mouth, sneezing, runny nose
- Stomach pain, nausea or vomiting
Anaphylaxis — call 999 (UK) or 112 (EU) immediately
- Difficult or noisy breathing, wheeze, persistent cough
- Swelling of the tongue or tightness in the throat
- Dizziness, collapse, pale and floppy (young children)
- Use an adrenaline auto-injector (e.g. EpiPen) at once if prescribed, then call an ambulance even if symptoms improve
Allergy or intolerance? A true allergy involves the immune system and can escalate quickly; an intolerance (e.g. lactose intolerance) is unpleasant but not life-threatening. The symptoms overlap, so self-diagnosis is unreliable.
Getting tested: home-testing kits based on IgG are not diagnostically valid. If you suspect an allergy, ask a GP for referral to an allergy clinic for skin-prick or specific-IgE testing and a supervised food challenge where appropriate.
VitaWhat is an educational reference only. It is not medical advice and is not authoritative. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your diet, supplements or treatment. See how this content is produced in our editorial policy; report an error via the contact page.