Naturally, I assumed they were bug bites. They started blistering, and they looked nothing like the bug bites I usually get after a hike. The second she looked, she said, "Hon... those aren't bug bites. Source: American Academy of DermatologyCanva CanvaPoison Ivy Looks Very DifferentPoison ivy can easily be mistaken for bug bites at first, especially if the rash is just beginning. Unlike bug bites, rashes often cover a broader area and don't usually have a single raised bump or bite mark.