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What Are Different Bites That Blister?

By Jodee Redmond
Updated: Mar 03, 2024

Bites that blister can be caused by more than one type of incident. Insect bites, including ones inflicted by spiders and ticks, can cause this symptom. A person who has been bitten or scratched by a cat or dog may also see a blister on the wound site.

Insect bites can result in a number of symptoms. Some people will see some redness and swelling in the area near the bite. Itching is another common symptom associated with bug bites, and people who have been bitten by mosquitoes are likely to experience this discomfort for a few days following the bite.

A brown recluse spider bite will look different from a mosquito bite. A sign that one of these insects has inflicted a bite is when a purple blister develops at the bite site. If the insect responsible for the wound is a brown recluse spider, a red ring will present around the blister. If at all possible, the spider should be captured so that its identity can be confirmed and appropriate treatment can be offered to the victim so that the cause of the bites can be determined.

Ticks can also cause bites that blister the victim’s skin. People who are spending time out of doors in wooded areas are at risk for being bitten by these small insects. Initial signs of a tick bite include pain and swelling. A blister may appear in the area within a few days following the bite. Swelling and itching may also occur in the bite area, and the skin may appear red for a few days following the bite.

Interacting with four-legged animals can lead to injuries in some cases. If the animal has been infected by the bacteria which cause cat scratch disease, it can cause bites that blister. If a person has merely been scratched by a four-legged animal, it may not be readily apparent that the cat or dog is responsible for the bump which appears on the skin a few days after the initial contact. If the lymph glands near the contact point become swollen, the person may be infected with cat scratch disease.

Bites that blister or present other symptoms which appear to be more than an uncomplicated insect bite should be checked out by a physician. If the blistering or irritation continues to increase in size over time, the patient should be checked out by a doctor. Some people are allergic to insect bites, and anyone who is having difficulty breathing should seek medical attention immediately.

The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
By myharley — On Aug 16, 2012

I have heard of cat scratch disease before but have never personally known of anyone who has had this disease.

Our kittens are pretty playful and there are times when I may have scratches on my arms or hands where they have been playing. Since they never go outside I don't know if I have to be concerned with something like cat scratch disease or not.

I would think anytime a bite or scratch gets a blister, you would want to closely watch it and make sure it heals OK without getting any kind of infection.

By golf07 — On Aug 15, 2012

I spend quite a bit of time outdoors and have had my share of tick bites. These will always get a little red, but sometimes I get a small blister where the bite is.

I had a friend who got really sick from a tick bite, so this always concerns me. I will closely watch to see if the bite changes or looks like it is getting infected.

I have often wondered why a bite will blister sometimes and other times it hardly looks like there is anything there.

By LisaLou — On Aug 15, 2012

I am not sure if I am allergic to insect bites, but I have more of a reaction than most people. If I get a mosquito bite or any kind of bug bite, it usually gets big and stays red for a long time before it completely goes away.

There have only been a couple of times when I also got a blister from an insect bite. I knew it wasn't from a brown recluse spider so I just watched it closely, and eventually it went away like all the other bites have done.

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