Bug Bites in a Line: How to Identify and Treat
Bug bites can be an itchy nuisance, especially when you're bitten multiple times in a row by the same type of bug.
Some insects, like flying insects, might bite one time and then move to their next victim.
Other insects, though, may unleash several bites at once. And if you're on the other end of this attack, you might have a cluster of bites appearing in a line.
What types of bugs cause these types of bites, though?
Here's a look at different bugs that leave multiple bites in a row and how to treat them.
Bug bites that appear in a line
Different insects can leave different types of bite marks, including those appearing in a line.
If you notice multiple bites in a row, there are a few possible culprits:
Bug Bite description Symptoms
Fleas Fleas can bite multiple times, leaving clusters of tiny red bumps in a row. Flea bites are often on the lower part of the body, such as on the legs, ankles, and feet. Symptoms include tiny red bumps or welts and extreme itching.
Bedbugs Bedbug bites are red, appearing as a line of flat or raised bumps. Symptoms include itching, redness or other color changes, and swelling.
Lice Head lice can cause a row of tiny red bumps around the head or neck. Lice can also leave a line of bumps near pubic hair, the hair around the armpits, or the eyebrows. Symptoms include intense itching that worsens at night and the appearance of tiny white eggs in the hair. Symptoms can appear up to 2 to 4 weeks after contact.
Fire ants A single fire ant can bite multiple times, causing red bumps or lumps that appear in a line or in clusters. Symptoms include a burning, stinging sensation, itchiness, and swelling.
Mites (scabies, chiggers, bird mites) Mites are insect-like organisms that can bite and cause skin irritation in humans. The bites are pimple-like rashes appearing in clusters or as raised lines on the skin. Symptoms include intense itching that worsens at night, redness or other color changes, and tingling and swelling around the bite site.
Treating bug bites that appear in a line
Bug bites can cause pain, redness, other color changes, and intense itching, so you'll want to take immediate action to relieve discomfort and prevent future bites.
Identify and remove the culprit
The first step in treating a bug bite is to identify the culprit.
If you suspect a bedbug or flea infestation in your home, call a pest control company to find and remove the bugs. You can also prevent an infestation by treating fleas on your pets.
Although irritating, most bug bites are minor and treatable with home remedies and over-the-counter (OTC) medications.
Prevent swelling and infection
For mild bites, wash the area with soap and water to prevent an infection.
Apply a cool compress over the bite to reduce pain and swelling.
If you have bites on your arms or legs, keeping this part of your body elevated can also reduce swelling.
Soothe pain and itching
Next, apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion over the bite to calm itching, or take an OTC oral antihistamine.
If you have pain, take an OTC pain reliever, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Continue this treatment until symptoms go away.
Treat lice and scabies with prescription topicals
For lice
If you have lice, you'll need an OTC medicated shampoo to kill the lice and their eggs. If these treatments don't work, ask your doctor for a prescription lice treatment.
It's important to note that itching from lice doesn't go away immediately after treatment. Also, the initial treatment may not kill lice eggs. You may need to re-treat the area in a week, when the eggs have hatched.
For scabies
Treatment for scabies is a prescription antiparasitic topical cream. It will kill the mites and their eggs. Even after medication kills the mites, itching may last for a couple of weeks.
To prevent reinfection, wash all your clothes, towels, and linen in hot water to kill the mites.
About scabies bites
The bite from a scabies mite isn't what itches. These pests burrow beneath the skin and leave their poop behind. The poop triggers an allergic reaction, which causes the itching and irritation.
Should I see a doctor?
A severe allergic reaction to a bug bite is a medical emergency. Seek immediate medical treatment if you develop any of the following symptoms:
trouble breathing
swollen lips or tongue
rapid heartbeat
chest pain
headache
vomiting
dizziness
Also, see a doctor if you're unable to identify a bug bite or if a bug bite doesn't heal or worsens in appearance.
If your bite itches, keep in mind that scratching can break your skin and cause bacteria to penetrate the deeper level of your skin. This can lead to a bacterial skin infection called cellulitis.
Signs of infection include:
increased redness or other color changes
pain
blistering
fever
Don't wait for a fever!
If you suspect you may have a bacterial skin infection, see a doctor right away.
They can diagnose cellulitis early by looking for red streaks that extend away from the irritated area toward the heart. A thickening of the skin around the bite or wound is another indication of infection.
Optum Perks is owned by RVO Health. By clicking on this link, we may receive a commission. Learn more.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
8 minutes ago
- Yahoo
The Gas Station Chain That Offers Frozen House-Made Energy Drinks
It seems like everyone's gotten into the energy drink market these days, from Monster, Ghost, and Celsius, to the OG, Red Bull. Some might say that the market is oversaturated, but Wawa saw that market share and asked, "What if energy drinks could also be slushies?" And thus, it created Rechargers. These brightly-colored, frozen, house-made energy drinks are perfect for those times when you can't decide between a frozen margarita and a Mountain Dew Kickstart. Because really, you shouldn't have to as long as you're near a Wawa. If you're not from the Mid-Atlantic or lower East Coast area of the U.S., you might not know that Wawa, a beloved convenience store, is much more than a simple gas station. From fresh house-brand coffee to substantial made-to-order meatball hoagies, Wawa truly walks the line between convenience store and café, and its line of energy drinks, which were released in 2023, are another fan favorite on its lengthy lineup of road-ready offerings. What sets Wawa's line of drinks apart from, say, a typical can of Bang, where every sip is identical, is that the chain offers what seems like endless ways to customize your drink. Read more: Store-Bought Lemonade, Ranked From Worst To Best Energy drink lovers know that no matter the brand, the flavors can leave a lot to be desired. Even if you've grown to love the medicinal taste of Red Bull, there's no denying that it's nice to have some flavor options to mask the taste of caffeine and supplements like taurine, B vitamins, and ginseng. This is where Wawa's Rechargables really come in clutch. You can choose from more than 10 different base flavors like Sunset Punch (mango lemonade), or The Mermaid (blue raspberry, passionfruit, and dragonfruit). Each drink comes standard with 75 to 150 milligrams of caffeine, with an option to add a "boost" of energy (an additional 37 to 111 milligrams of caffeine), immunity (vitamins and minerals including vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin B3, and zinc), or protein (100% whey). You can also add Sour Cherry Popping Bubbles for an extra fee. In addition to sizing (16 to 32 ounces), your drink can be served iced instead of frozen, and there are options for less sugar or zero sugar. Admittedly, it is all a lot of decision making, and you need to keep your wits about you to order a soft pretzel, a delicacy in Eastern Pennsylvania, so once you've figured out your ideal Recharger combo, be sure to save it as a favorite in the Wawa app so that ordering a little get-up-and-go is that much easier next time. Read the original article on Chowhound.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
These Are the 4 Most Unfriendly Myers-Briggs Personality Types, According to a Psychotherapist
These Are the 4 Most Unfriendly Myers-Briggs Personality Types, According to a Psychotherapist originally appeared on Parade. Everybody's different, and we've all had our own unique experiences in life that have shaped us. In the intricate tapestry of human personalities, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) stands out as one of the most renowned and widely used personality assessment tools. The MBTI identifies individuals' preferences across four areas: extraversion (E) vs. introversion (I), sensing (S) vs. intuition (N), thinking (T) vs. feeling (F) and judging (J) vs. perceiving (P), resulting in 16 personality types. It ultimately indicates differing psychological preferences in how people perceive the world and make each Myers-Briggs personality type carries its unique strengths and charms, some personalities have been perceived as less friendly than others. Mayya Fleyshmakher, MA, LPC, is a licensed clinical psychotherapist who utilizes the MBTI in her own private practice to help clients with their career choices and advancements as they progress. Here, she offers her expert insight to answer the ultimate question: what are the most unfriendly Myers-Briggs personality types? The answers may surprise you!Related: There is no singular Myers-Briggs personality type that can be drawn as the most unfriendly of them all. However, particular dichotomies of these differing types may make them seem more unfriendly than others. Fleyshmakher tells Parade, "The 'Thinking' (T) types might be more prone to exhibit cold or detached behavior due to their focus on logic and objectivity over emotional considerations." She continues, "They may lack empathy, therefore portraying signs of misattunement, appearing to be unfriendly and even selfish." These "Thinking" types that may seem more unfriendly include INTJ, INTP, ENTJ and ENTP. And out of all the types to be considered the most unfriendly Myers-Briggs personality types, Fleyshmakher says that the INTJ seems to face more isolating behaviors due to introverted tendencies. This often leads them to be more reserved and less empathetic towards others. So, if you're friends with one of these "Thinking" Myers-Briggs types, try to keep in mind that they are not purposely being unfriendly. These personality types tend to lean on facts and logic over acting on emotion. "It's crucial to remember that such traits do not necessarily indicate hostility or unkindness; rather, they reflect a different approach to processing and expressing emotions. When factoring in trauma, you might even meet 'Thinking' types who utilize this personality trait to bypass dealing with complex emotions, often resorting to numbing responses," Fleyshmakher The most important consideration to remember when utilizing the MBTI is that no personality type is inherently unfriendly. People are complex and unique beings, and it's imperative that the role of individual trauma is not overlooked. "Determining more or less 'friendlier' types of the MBTI requires consideration as to how trauma affects these personality traits in the first place," Fleyshmakher explains. Our society has long associated the word "trauma" with intense experiences, like abuse and war combat. However, the updated definition of trauma is generally understood as an emotional response to a distressing or disturbing event(s) that overwhelms an individual's ability to cope. Fleyshmakher adds, "Considering how we now define trauma, more and more individuals report that they have experienced some level of trauma in their lifetime." She continues, "The Myers-Briggs and its types present limitations, as it does not set out to factor the role of trauma on personality." As with any tool similar to the MBTI, it's not a one-size-fits-all and must be carefully reviewed, relative to each person. When considering individualized trauma and the use of the MBTI, some trauma responses may mimic the Myers-Briggs personality features. "Individuals with trauma symptoms exhibit hyper-independence, overthinking and mistrust. Many of my clients are shocked to find out that what they thought was part of their personalities turned out to be symptoms, which quickly changed once they completed trauma work." Fleyshmakher adds, "Therefore, what may seem as the unfriendly, introverted types of the MBTI are really just the symptoms of difficult childhoods and stress."Related: Contrasting their highly logical counterparts, the "Feeling" (F) types tend to prioritize empathy and emotions in their decision-making process, often leading to a more friendly demeanor. These more friendly Myers-Briggs personality types include INFJ, INFP, ENFJ and ENFP."The ability to display empathy is a key factor in fostering healthy platonic and romantic relationships and, overall, 'Feeling' types come off as the friendlier types of the Myers-Briggs," Fleyshmakher shares. "Individuals who struggle in finding the right partner often overlook prioritizing empathy as above looks or status. These types might find more success in looking to formulate relationships with 'Feeling' types."Fleyshmakher tells Parade that she often shies away from creating rigid definitions of personality because there is usually always more work lying beneath the surface. She touches upon her own experience from a psychotherapist's lens: "I have met many 'Feeling' types who fall under the ENFP types that, upon doing deeper work in therapy, learned their complacent and often lovable, friendly demeanor was a learned behavior from childhood, specifically in learning to survive with abrasive, volatile and harsh parents." Related: Overall, the MBTI can provide insight into an individual's preferences and tendencies. It shows differing psychological preferences in how people perceive the world and make decisions. However, the MBTI should not be used as a definitive assessment of personality or as the sole basis for therapeutic her own private practice, Fleyshmakher uses the MBTI to help clients with their career choices and advancements—with the important caveat that it is only utilized once a client has completed the appropriate clinical interventions to help them process and heal trauma. Thus, therapists may use the MBTI to better understand a client's communication style, decision-making processes and coping mechanisms. But, considering individualized trauma and responses will allow for a more accurate reading of the Myers-Briggs Due to its popularity, there are many variations of the MBTI test online. However, the original assessment, which is still utilized by certified practitioners, is considered the most accurate, as it involves a structured and methodical approach. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) was first developed by Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers. The assessment was based heavily on Carl Jung's theory of psychological types. Up Next:Mayya Fleyshmakher, MA, LPC, is a licensed clinical psychotherapist in private practice in Holmdel, New Jersey. Fleyshmakher specializes in trauma-focused EMDR Therapy and spreading awareness about the importance of trauma work, specifically in educating people about how they perceive, define and treat can connect with Mayya here: Website Instagram TikTok These Are the 4 Most Unfriendly Myers-Briggs Personality Types, According to a Psychotherapist first appeared on Parade on Jul 2, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
The 9 Most Dangerous Foods for Dogs—And the Ones You Can Safely Swap In
The 9 Most Dangerous Foods for Dogs—And the Ones You Can Safely Swap In originally appeared on Parade Pets. As much as we might love to share with our dogs, certain foods are just not good for them at all, no matter how you slice it. There are some foods that are toxic in small amounts, some that are dangerous only if given in larger amounts and some that we aren't even sure how toxic they following are nine of the most dangerous foods you can give to your dogs, plus some safe and healthy toxic dose has even been determined. We do know there's a toxic compound, which is, as of yet, unidentified and possibly not present in all grapes, but some compound in the fruit can cause kidney failure in suffer from vomiting and diarrhea when they eat grapes, and no specific cure is available, so they just need to be avoided. Raisins can also be just as toxic, and it's safer to avoid all members of that fruit family (currants, for example). This artificial sweetener, also known as xylitol, is toxic. One problem is that it's present in some foods and medications for humans and isn't even listed in the ingredients. Many products like ice cream and other human treats contain xylitol.A second problem is that it can appear as something different on the label since the traditional name, xylitol, sounds so artificial. The problem with onions is that they have a cumulative effect, so even if only a small dose is given every day, the red blood cells that are affected will eventually cause anemia and can kill your dog. A higher dose will cause vomiting and diarrhea, and the red blood cell damage can cause organ failure and death. The main problem is the fat levels in these nuts. Dogs may develop pancreatitis from them, just like they do after eating a lot of chicken skin, fat trimmings or a bowl of drippings from the Thanksgiving toxic dose for macadamia nuts is quite small, but like all toxins, it's related to the dog's body weight. A tiny dog like a Maltese or Chihuahua could develop pancreatitis after eating only a few nuts. Larger dogs would take a lot more to develop symptoms, but these and other fatty nuts should never be given to any dogs. The chemicals found in cocoa (theobromine and some others) are toxic to dogs. Cocoa beans are bitter, and not many dogs would even eat them if given the chance, but the problem is that if dogs see us eating a treat, like raisins covered in dark chocolate, they will sit and they eat them and only vomit or have diarrhea, they'll probably be fine, but theobromine can also cause seizures, fast heart rates and even death. When bones are cooked, they become hard and brittle. There's an immediate choking hazard, and if the bone is swallowed, it can perforate the esophagus, stomach or intestine. Cooked bones are also more likely to cause constipation, so if your dog is straining, this can be a cause. The effects of alcohol are more visible in dogs because of their metabolism and smaller body weight, and if you leave a drink down, they're likely to investigate and drink it, especially a mixed drink that has amounts will cause vomiting and diarrhea, but larger amounts will cause tremors, lethargy and seizures, so if your dog is exposed, they should be examined. Be sure to take the mixer you used to the vet so that any artificial sweeteners that might have been added can be evaluated. If your dog has coffee, the toxin is caffeine. In some cases, it can be fatal, and since dogs are a lot more sensitive than we are, one cup of coffee could be all it takes. It can cause hyperexcitement, tremors and even seizures, and if your coffee had milk and sugar added, vomiting and diarrhea are even more likely. Despite their toxicity, edibles aren't listed on most sites as being toxic to dogs. They should be. Dogs aren't likely to eat much hash or raw pot, as it tastes bad, but edibles are a different category. As marijuana becomes decriminalized in more states, these are more common than they used to be and are more likely to be left out where dogs can find have more cannabinoid receptors than humans, and edibles may also contain xylitol, chocolate or caffeine. THC, the psychoactive compound that's concentrated in the edibles, causes severe health problems in dogs, including vomiting, diarrhea, seizures and coma. It can be lethal at high doses. Dogs like to find things you leave lying around and like to chew anything, whether edible or not. If you like to snack, there's certainly nothing wrong with giving your dog something at the same time, as long as you consider the additional of the alternative snacks you can give your dog include: Vegetables: Many dogs like pumpkin, so you can use canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix, as it contains spices) and cut it up into smaller chunks. I find that many dogs like them lightly salted. You can also use carrot slices, green beans (chopped up into quarter-inch pieces) or small pieces of sliced sweet potato. Fruit: Good options include apple slices (a good source of fiber and many vitamins), blueberries (an excellent source of antioxidants), raspberries, strawberries, banana slices or even watermelon, although I do find it kind of sloppy if feeding by hand. Meat: This can be kind of messy as an alternative treat, but there are several companies that sell chicken hearts and chicken liver as freeze-dried treats. An inexpensive option is beef liver, which can be sliced into small chunks and then cooked in an air fryer for a few minutes until it's dry and easy to handle. Eggs: I usually include eggs in the regular meal plan, but boiled and sliced eggs are also a great treat. My main problem with this is that my dogs love them, and they usually eat them even faster than the other treats. Please keep in mind that all of these treats contain calories and, if given in excess, will eventually make your dog overweight or obese. Whole-food treats can be a great addition to the diet if you want to get away from ultra-processed dry dog foods, but like all things, they need to be given in Next:Fitzgerald KT, Bronstein AC, Newquist KL. Marijuana poisoning. Top Companion Anim Med. 2013 Feb;28(1):8-12. doi: 10.1053/ PMID: 23796481. The 9 Most Dangerous Foods for Dogs—And the Ones You Can Safely Swap In first appeared on Parade Pets on Jul 6, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade Pets on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
