5 Things to Know About Bedbugs

What are bedbugs?
Around the world the common bed bug, "Cimex lectularius," can be found, particularly in impoverished areas in developing countries. These quarter inch, reddish-brown wingless insects can infest in beds, floors, walls, furniture and curtains found in homes, hotels, apartments or shelters. Since bed bugs favor cracks and crevices they can be transmitted by travelers from an infested area to their homes via luggage and clothing. They are nocturnal blood-sucking creatures that prefer to feed on warm-blooded animals, such as humans, at night. They can live from four to 12 months and eggs hatch four to 10 days after being laid.

How do you know when you have been bitten by a bed bug?
An individual will awaken with a succession of painless, small, red lesions in a row on the exposed areas of skin, especially the face, arms and legs. Most often the spots are itchy and swollen like hives. Most people do not even know they have been bitten until they see them, but others will have more severe reactions. Your health care provider will need to help you distinguish between bed bug bites and other infections like scabies.

Can a bed bug bite make you sick or transmit diseases?
Presently bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases to humans. However, if someone scratches the bites there is a chance that the wound could become infected, so care should be taken to avoid this complication.

How do you care for bed bug bites?
The most important thing to remember when treating bed bug bites is to keep them clean and dry to prevent infection. You should avoid scratching the lesions to decrease the likelihood of a secondary bacterial infection. Signs of infection include increased redness, discharge and pain. Should any of these symptoms occurt, consult a health care provider immediately.

Over the counter medications such as hydrocortisone creams or lotions that contain pramoxine can be used to help treat itching. Oral diphenhydramine (Benadryl ®) can also help with intense itching.

How do you get rid of a bed bug infestation?
In addition to a thorough cleaning with vacuuming and removal of bedding, Clothing should be washed in hot water and dried with highest heat setting. A bed bug infestation requires the application of chemicals that must be managed by a professional exterminator.