About a week ago, I asked my friend if I could use his old apartment while mine was renovated, and he agreed. A couple of days later, I noticed strange bumps on my legs and back. Since I hadn’t changed my hygiene routine, I suspected the apartment.

I searched online and found that everything pointed to bed bugs. The place was old, and the mattress had been there for years. I couldn’t see any bugs, but I tried precautions: leaving the mattress in the sun and using multiple bed covers. Still, the bites continued, and I had to sleep there for the week.

According to the NHS, “bed bugs are tiny insects that often live on furniture or bedding. While their bites don’t pose any health risks, they can be very itchy.” The bites often appear as red, itchy bumps, mainly on skin exposed at night.

Symptoms can vary. Some people don’t react at all, while others may experience swelling, large welts, or in rare cases, severe allergic reactions. “Time when bites happen…can develop after several hours, days, or even weeks. How long they last depends on the individual, their body’s reaction, and the severity of the bites.”

If you notice sudden red bumps on your skin, it’s best to contact a medical professional. While uncomfortable, bed bug bites are usually harmless if treated properly.