BED BUGS

Bed Bug Bites Treatment

Bed bug infestations have become more common with the eventual resistance and subsequent banning of the use of dichloride-phenyltrichloroethane (DDT).

Common Areas of involvement:

1. Most bed bugs bite just before dawn, laying in close proximity to the sleeping quarters.
2. Bed bug bites tend to occur on exposed surfaces such as the head or the neck. The insect will not typically venture beneath bedding or bed clothes. A linear arrangement to the bites is common.

Clinical Picture:

The skin lesions are due to an allergic reaction to the saliva leaked during feeding. Symptomatic bed bug bites often produce an erythematous wheal, followed by a firm, reddish papule, sometimes with a small central haemorrhagic punctum. Bites are often pruritic and are usually present on surface exposed during sleep, such as the head, neck, arms, legs, and shoulders.

Treatment options:

1. There is great interest in the use of temperature to eradicate infestations.
2. Common whole room whole home heating, using propane heaters and fans to develop convective cycle exist.
3. Other comparatively simplistic measures, such as impermeable matters covers are also widely employed.
4. Treatment of bed bug bites among humans is directed at symptoms. Bites are treated in a symptomatic fashion with potent topical steroids and antihistamines.