Bed bug dermatitis is a skin problem resulting from bed bug bites. A small number of people seem to be more susceptible to it than others. The first time I had bed bugs, I was in the Peace Corps in Guatemala. They were staying with a family in a housing unit around the corner from mine. I didn’t see any bugs or any signs of infestation, but was thinking they might have had them. Bed bug dermatitis (also known as Ekbom’s syndrome) is a very rare skin condition caused by bed bugs (Cimex lectularius). Bed bugs are tiny insects in the Cimicidae family. They are wingless, nocturnal and live on human blood. This condition is characterized by itchy rashes and blisters that appear on any area of the skin where a bedbug bite has occurred. It looks similar to allergic contact dermatitis, but is more serious as it can cause significant damage to your skin.
Bed Bug Dermatitis
What is bed bug dermatitis?
Bed bug dermatitis is an allergic reaction to a bite from the bed bug Cimex lectularius. Bed bugs are small, oval, brownish insects that feed on blood from animals or humans. They do not fly but can move extremely quickly over floors, walls, and ceilings. They inject saliva into the skin while feeding to prevent their host’s blood from clotting. The saliva contains anesthetizing and anticoagulant properties that keep the host’s blood flowing while they drink it.
The most common symptoms of bed bug dermatitis include intense itching and red bumps on the skin similar to mosquito bites that appear where you were bitten by a bed bug. The severity of these symptoms varies from person to person and can range from mild irritation to severe rashes with blisters filled with pus (Figures 1-3).
Signs and symptoms
Skin rashes are one of the most common symptoms of bed bug dermatitis. The rash usually appears as a red, itchy patch on the skin that could be mistaken for other types of rashes. In some cases, these patches can become very large and blistering. Sometimes, there are no skin reactions at all.
If you suspect that you have bed bug dermatitis, it’s important to see your doctor right away so they can properly diagnose and treat your condition.
Risk factors
Risk factors for bed bug dermatitis include:
- Allergic reaction to the bites themselves or their saliva
- Living in an environment that is conducive to bed bugs, such as a hotel or apartment building with a high infestation rate.
- Having poor health, which can make it harder to fight off an infection. This could be due to age, lack of access to healthcare services or medications, etc.
Diagnosis
If your doctor suspects bed bug dermatitis, he or she may refer you to a dermatologist. The dermatologist will ask about your symptoms and examine the affected areas of your skin.
The dermatologist may scrape the bites and send the samples to a lab to see if there are any signs of bed bugs. If so, you’ll need a prescription for an over-the-counter insecticide that contains pyrethrins or permethrin to treat your home and clothing.
Treatment
- Clean your home thoroughly to remove bed bugs and their eggs. Wash your linens and clothing in hot water and dry them on high heat for at least 10 minutes (a full load of laundry can take up to an hour). This process is called “high-heat” or “hot” washing and drying, which will kill any bed bugs, eggs or larvae that might be present in the fabric. If it’s not practical to wash all of your items, seal infested clothes in plastic bags for two weeks — this can help suffocate any immature stages of the bug through lack of oxygen.
- Treat bites with anti-itch cream or a cold compress to reduce itching, swelling and pain caused by dermatitis caused by bed bug bites. Apply calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream as soon as possible after being bitten; then apply again every few hours until symptoms subside (about 12 hours). Do not scratch the area — this may lead to infection if bacteria enters open wounds left behind by scratching.”
If you think you have bed bug dermatitis, see your doctor immediately.
Don’t wait around for this problem to get worse. If you think you might have bed bug dermatitis, see your doctor immediately. Early detection and treatment is key. Your doctor can prescribe treatments that work, plus they will tell you how to prevent bed bugs from getting into your home in the first place.
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Additional Info :
| Item Dimensions | |
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- Comprehensive – The powder is great for a thorough treatment, as it’s able to effectively treat hard to reach areas
- Easy Application – The puffer tip makes application simple into cracks and crevices or as a surface treatmentv
- Fast Acting – Insects coming into contact with the powder will die within 48 hours of initial contact
- Long Residual – Continues to kill bed bugs for weeks after application as long as it’s kept dry
- EPA Registered & OMRI Listed – Registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (No. 73729-1-3) for Use in Homes with People/Pets and Listed with the Organic Minerals Research Institute
Additional Info :
Additional Info :
| Release Date | 2018-10-02T00:00:00.000Z |