Found a Strange Bug at Home? Here’s What You Should Know About Earwigs

The answer is: technically yes, but it is extremely uncommon.

Earwigs possess chewing mouthparts that can pinch the skin if handled roughly. More often, however, people mistake a defensive pinch from the insect's rear pincers for a bite.

For most healthy adults, an earwig pinch is minor and causes little more than brief discomfort. Serious injuries or medical complications from earwigs are exceptionally rare.

The Truth About the Pincers

The large pincers at the end of an earwig's body often cause concern, but they are not designed to attack humans.

Earwigs use these pincers for:

• Defending themselves from predators
• Capturing small prey
• Mating displays
• Protecting their wings

Male earwigs usually have larger, more curved pincers than females. While they may look intimidating, the pincers are generally too weak to break human skin significantly.

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Can Earwigs Cause Skin Reactions?

If a child develops a rash, swelling, or irritation after an insect encounter, it can be difficult to determine whether an earwig was responsible.

A photograph of an insect may help identify the species, but it cannot confirm that the insect caused the symptoms.