Bed bug

Bed bug
Other namesCimicosis, bedbugs
An adult bed bug (Cimex lectularius) with the typical flattened oval shape
SpecialtyFamily medicine, dermatology
SymptomsNone to prominent blisters, itchiness[1][2]
Usual onsetMinutes to days after the bite[2]
CausesCimex (primarily Cimex lectularius and Cimex hemipterus)[3]
Risk factorsTravel, second-hand furnishings[4]
Diagnostic methodBased on finding bed bugs and symptoms[5]
Differential diagnosisAllergic reaction, scabies, dermatitis herpetiformis[2]
TreatmentSymptomatic, bed bug eradication[2]
MedicationAntihistamines, corticosteroids[2]
FrequencyRelatively common[6]

Bed bugs are parasitic insects from the genus Cimex, which are micropredators that feed on blood, usually at night.[7] Their bites can result in a number of health impacts, including skin rashes, psychological effects, and allergic symptoms.[5] Bed bug bites may lead to skin changes ranging from small areas of redness to prominent blisters.[1][2] Symptoms may take between minutes to days to appear and itchiness is generally present.[2] Some individuals may feel tired or have a fever.[2] Typically, uncovered areas of the body are affected.[2] Their bites are not known to transmit any infectious disease.[5][7][8] Complications may rarely include areas of dead skin or vasculitis.[2]

Bed bug bites are caused primarily by two species of insects: Cimex lectularius (the common bed bug) and Cimex hemipterus, found primarily in the tropics.[3] Their size ranges between 1 and 7 mm.[7] They spread by crawling between nearby locations or by being carried within personal items.[2] Infestation is rarely due to a lack of hygiene but is more common in high-density areas.[2][9] Diagnosis involves both finding the bugs and the occurrence of compatible symptoms.[5] Bed bugs spend much of their time in dark, hidden locations like mattress seams, or cracks in a wall.[2]

Treatment is directed towards the symptoms.[2] Eliminating bed bugs from the home is often difficult, partly because bed bugs can survive up to approximately 300 days without feeding.[6][8] Repeated treatments of a home may be required.[2] These treatments may include heating the room to 50 °C (122 °F) for more than 90 minutes, frequent vacuuming, washing clothing at high temperatures, and the use of various pesticides.[2]

Fossils found in Egypt show bed bugs have been known as human parasites for at least 3,500 years.[10] Despite being nearly eradicated in developed countries after World War II, infestations have increased since the 1990s and bed bugs are now relatively common in all regions of the globe.[7][3][4][6] Experts point to several factors that have contributed to the explosion in infestations over the last three decades: increased immigration and international travel; expanded markets for second-hand goods; a greater focus on control of other pests; the banning of certain pesticides and increased resistance to pesticides still in use.[4][11][12]

  1. ^ a b James, William D., Berger, Timothy G., et al. (2006). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: clinical Dermatology. Saunders Elsevier. p. 446. ISBN 978-0-7216-2921-6.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Ibrahim O, Syed UM, Tomecki KJ (March 2017). "Bedbugs: Helping your patient through an infestation". Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine. 84 (3): 207–211. doi:10.3949/ccjm.84a.15024. PMID 28322676.
  3. ^ a b c Jerome Goddard, Richard deShazo (2009). "Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) and clinical consequences of their bites". Journal of the American Medical Association. 301 (13): 1358–1366. doi:10.1001/jama.2009.405. PMID 19336711.
  4. ^ a b c Kolb A, Needham GR, Neyman KM, High WA (2009). "Bedbugs". Dermatol Ther. 22 (4): 347–52. doi:10.1111/j.1529-8019.2009.01246.x. PMID 19580578. S2CID 221648188.
  5. ^ a b c d Doggett SL, Russell R (November 2009). "Bed bugs – What the GP needs to know". Aust Fam Physician. 38 (11): 880–4. PMID 19893834.
  6. ^ a b c Doggett SL, Dwyer DE, Peñas PF, Russell RC (January 2012). "Bed bugs: clinical relevance and control options". Clinical Microbiology Reviews. 25 (1): 164–92. doi:10.1128/CMR.05015-11. PMC 3255965. PMID 22232375.
  7. ^ a b c d "Bed Bugs FAQs". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2 May 2017. Archived from the original on 22 September 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  8. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Parola was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Hildreth CJ, Burke AE, Glass RM (April 2009). "JAMA patient page. Bed bugs". JAMA. 301 (13): 1398. doi:10.1001/jama.301.13.1398. PMID 19336718.
  10. ^ Panagiotakopulu E, Buckland PC (December 1999). "Cimex lectularius L., the common bed bug from Pharaonic Egypt". Antiquity. 73 (282): 908–911. doi:10.1017/S0003598X00065674. ISSN 0003-598X. S2CID 162701508.
  11. ^ Jacobs A (27 November 2005). "Just Try to Sleep Tight. The Bedbugs Are Back". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 27 December 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  12. ^ Akhoundi M, Zumelzu C, Sereno D, Marteau A, Brun S, Jan J, et al. (5 July 2023). "Bed Bugs (Hemiptera, Cimicidae): A Global Challenge for Public Health and Control Management". Diagnostics. 13 (13): 2281. doi:10.3390/diagnostics13132281. ISSN 2075-4418. PMC 10340649. PMID 37443675.
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