What Are Bed Bugs and What Do the Bites Look Like?

Bed bugs resurged worldwide in the late 1990s.Once limited to hotel and motel rooms, these blood-sucking insects (both the Cimex lectularius and Cimex hemipterus) became a problem in many homes, hotels, and even movie theaters.

These recent infestations are probably due to insecticide resistance and increased international travel, according to a study published in Clinical Microbiology Review.

Fortunately, bed bugs aren't known to spread contagious diseases.

However, these blood-sucking insects can cause anemia if you get too many and may trigger asthma attacks.

With an appearance like many other common bites, bed bug bites often appear as small itchy raised red areas on exposed skin - usually a few days after the actual bite. Some children and adults don't develop a reaction to the bites at all, even after repeated exposure.

On the skin, the bites can appear as:

There is not a direct link between poor sanitation and bed bug infestations. A pristinely clean living space is as vulnerable as a messy one. Usually, sleeping in a place where multiple people have sleptincreases your risk. You might especially suspect bed bugs if you or your child:

A proper diagnosis is the important first step to successful treatment. Unfortunately, clinicians commonly misdiagnose bed bug bites as:

Once correctly identified, there are no bed bug specific treatments for people, but you must eliminate these pests from your home. Your clinician might prescribe:

Although treating bed bug bits isn't difficult, actually getting rid of the bed bugs is another story. Many people report that they have to throw away mattresses and other household items.

A professional exterminator can help.

In order to minimize your risk, you can:

Sources:

Bed Bugs. Biology and Management. Harvard School of Public Health.

Doggett, et al. Clinical Microbiology Review: Bed Bugs - Clinical Relevance and Control Options (2012)

Richard Pollack, Ph.D. and Gary Alpert, Ph.D. Bed Bugs.

Michael F. Potter. Extension Entomologist. University of Kentucky College of Agriculture

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What Are Bed Bugs and What Do the Bites Look Like?