It started like any ordinary day. I woke up, stretched my arms, and walked to the bathroom—only to catch sight of something strange on my skin. Lining the length of my arm were angry, red, swollen bumps. Not just one or two—at least a dozen clustered across the forearm and inner elbow. And if that wasn’t enough, I found two more bites on the other side.
At first glance, they looked like insect bites—but unlike the typical mosquito nibbles we’ve all endured during summer evenings, these were more intense. They burned, itched, and looked irritated. The spacing was odd, almost like they were in a track-like pattern. I had no clue where they came from or what creature might have left its mark.
So now, I’m turning to the wisdom of the internet:
Does anyone recognize this type of bite?
Could it be bed bugs, flea bites, spider bites, or something even more obscure like mites or no-see-ums? I’m baffled—and frankly a bit worried.
🧐 What I’ve Considered So Far
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Bed Bugs?
These nocturnal pests often leave bite marks in lines or clusters. I haven’t noticed any on my sheets or mattress, but I plan on checking with a flashlight tonight. -
Fleas?
Fleas can be aggressive and tend to bite around ankles and arms—especially if pets are involved. But I don’t have any pets, and I haven’t visited anyone who does recently. -
Spiders?
Spider bites are usually isolated, but some can cause red, inflamed welts. Still, this many at once feels unusual. -
Mites?
These are microscopic and often go unnoticed until skin irritation appears. Could it be something in the sheets or clothing?