BED BUGS (BEDBUGS) and BED BUG BITES

Bed Bug Bites

The bed bug, known as, Cimex lectularius, are 3-5 mm in size, brown, oval and flat flightless insects. They are well-known to live and grow near humans, and can be noticed not usually by sight, as they hide at night, but by a peculiar odor that they release, that is offensive. Bed bugs are known to be found in numerous different locations, including homes and hotels, mainly in bed linen materials and clothes, near bird nests, and poultry houses. Bed bugs spread mainly through humans who carry them from one location to another indirectly, mainly through crawling into people's luggage. Bed bugs come out of hiding at night for feeding, after staying hidden during the day. They feed on mammals, including humans, dogs and cats.

The bites that are caused by bed bugs are a localized allergic reaction to antigens/proteins that the bed bug releases into the skin. This is mediated through IgE antibody pathway, causing a wheal-flare response. The bites vary greatly between people, as there are differences in the immune status in individuals. The more bed bug bites you get through your life, the stronger the reaction/redness of the bite. The bites are not felt, but are associated with much pruritis/itch.

Treatment of Bed Bug Bites

Consists of good hygiene and avoidance.

References:

Martin Leverkus, Ryan C. Jochim, Susanne Schad et al. Bullous allergic hypersensitivity to bed bug bites mediated by IgE against salivary nitrophorin. (2006) 126, 91-96.