Daily Archives: July 21, 2016

Bed bugs resurged worldwide in the late 1990s.Once limited to hotel and motel rooms, these blood-sucking insects (both the Cimex lectularius and Cimex hemipterus) became a problem in many homes, hotels, and even movie theaters.

These recent infestations are probably due to insecticide resistance and increased international travel, according to a study published in Clinical Microbiology Review.

Fortunately, bed bugs aren't known to spread contagious diseases.

However, these blood-sucking insects can cause anemia if you get too many and may trigger asthma attacks.

With an appearance like many other common bites, bed bug bites often appear as small itchy raised red areas on exposed skin - usually a few days after the actual bite. Some children and adults don't develop a reaction to the bites at all, even after repeated exposure.

On the skin, the bites can appear as:

There is not a direct link between poor sanitation and bed bug infestations. A pristinely clean living space is as vulnerable as a messy one. Usually, sleeping in a place where multiple people have sleptincreases your risk. You might especially suspect bed bugs if you or your child:

A proper diagnosis is the important first step to successful treatment. Unfortunately, clinicians commonly misdiagnose bed bug bites as:

Once correctly identified, there are no bed bug specific treatments for people, but you must eliminate these pests from your home. Your clinician might prescribe:

Although treating bed bug bits isn't difficult, actually getting rid of the bed bugs is another story. Many people report that they have to throw away mattresses and other household items.

A professional exterminator can help.

In order to minimize your risk, you can:

Sources:

Bed Bugs. Biology and Management. Harvard School of Public Health.

Doggett, et al. Clinical Microbiology Review: Bed Bugs - Clinical Relevance and Control Options (2012)

Richard Pollack, Ph.D. and Gary Alpert, Ph.D. Bed Bugs.

Michael F. Potter. Extension Entomologist. University of Kentucky College of Agriculture

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What Are Bed Bugs and What Do the Bites Look Like?

After the initial reaction of discovering bed bugs in your home it is very likely the next thought will be:

Can they make my family sick?

The good news is that there have been very few cases of bed bug bites causing more than inflammation at the sight of feeding. Though getting rid of the bugs and keeping them from coming back is a headache, you can rest knowing that they are more a disgusting annoyance than a danger to your health.

Lets take a closer look at bed bug bites and bed bug bite symptoms.

How do you know when you have been bitten by a bed bug?

Bed bugs pierce the skin of the host with their elongated beaks. The bed bug injects an anti-blood-clotting chemical called apyrases which allow them to withdraw the blood. They will feed for 5-10 minutes until gorged.

There is no one overall reaction to being a host. The reality is that most people do not even know they are the source of the bed bugs meal. There may be no obvious marks on their body and no sense of having been bitten. The majority of the time bed bugs feast while their hosts are sleeping which is another reason they are less likely to feel such a tiny sensation.

Not everyone is this lucky. There are reported and verified cases in which the host has a severe reaction, often in the form of swelling, and welts. Because the bed bug does its by night, many times the reaction of redness, swelling or itching is attributed to mosquitoes. This of course, allows for the infestation to continue until the bed bugs are discovered.

One telling sign of the bed bug bite versus that of the more familiar mosquito is the body part which contains the redness or swelling. Bed bugs tend to host on parts of the body that are exposed while sleeping. Therefore, you are going to find them on the neck, face, upper arms, shoulders and hands.

As mentioned earlier, in most cases there is no major concern of illness caused by serving as a host to bed bugs. There are however, pathogens that are found in the body of the bed bugs but they do not seem to be transmitted to humans or other hosts. Generally, the bites are more annoying than they are dangerous. Much like other bug bites, that of the bed bug tends to be itchy and may cause inflammation when scratched. It is important to remember that scratching that itch can further cause infection.

The best way to treat the bed bug bites are to relieve the bite symptoms with the use of an antihistamine or corticosteroids prescribed to reduce discomfort. Other over the counter topical ointments may also be used.

A well regarded product combination that fits the bill is All Stops Healing Gel and ProEcza Cream. The ProEcza relieves your itchy skin while the Healing Gel goes to work deeper into the infected bite to minimize the irritation. What this means is that it helps you stop itching right away and it also calms the irritation down so your skin reaction isnt so severe. Youve seen pictures of bed bug bites they can be embarrassing to go out in public with.

Just as with any treatment to a wound, especially with children, the infirm or the elderly, it is wise to talk to a physician or pharmacist to help you find the best relief of the discomfort caused by bed bug bites.

More here:
Treating Bed Bug Bites / How to Treat Bed Bug Bites

What do bed bug bites and the resulting skin rash look like? Do the bites transmit diseases? See pictures and get answers about the symptoms, treatment and prevention of bed bug bites and rash.

There are few scenarios more disconcerting than waking up in the morning to find rows and clusters of bites on your body. And it is even more chilling to think that you may be sleeping with the enemy that have feasted upon you all night, sucking their fill on your blood for three to five minutes at a time.

Initial signs of being bitten are usually the skin reaction to bed bug bites. To find out if you have been bitten, check if you have the following symptoms:

Note: For some people, when bitten by bed bugs, the bites can develop into intense itching with an allergic response.

The appearance of bed bug bites depends upon the individuals response to the bites. For some people, the reactions to the bites may be delayed from 5 to 14 days before any signs of the welts start to appear. Others who are more skin sensitive may also develop skin rash after being bitten.

Below are some photo references from victims on what bed bug bites and the resulting skin rash from the bites may look like:

Bed bugs are attracted to the carbon dioxide that we exhale and our body heat which explains why they tend to attack at night, while we sleep. Any exposed areas of the bodies while we sleep are target spots for a bed bug to bite. The most common areas reported by victims include the face, neck, back, hands, arms and legs.

Unless you have an allergic reaction to the bites (which is very rare), bed bug bites do not hurt as the bug releases an antiseptic ingredient that numbs the skin temporarily. For most people, the bites typically swell and itch within a few hours of being bitten and may develop into a rash. For others, the symptoms of the bites may take 5-10 days to show up.

Skin rashes from bed bug bites usually last for three days before fading. However, people who are extremely sensitive to the bites will display the rash symptoms for up to a week or more and may require professional medical attention to get the bite rash to dissipate entirely.

For many people, it can be difficult, if not impossible to spot the difference between bed bug bites from other arthropods such as fleas and mosquitoes due to the resemblance of the bites. Even for some doctors, they may not immediately recognize the dermatological reactions of the bites to be from bed bugs and often, mistook them to be from mosquitoes, ticks or scabies and in some real cases, even misdiagnose the bites as hives or an allergic skin rash.

To tell the difference between mosquitoes and flea bites vs bed bug bites, look for the following symptoms:

Flea bites are usually smaller and the swellings are hard to the touch. Fleas also tend to leave multiple bites in random pattern, especially around the ankles and legs. The bites can be itchy up to a week and when scratched, it can result in an open wound or infection. In most cases where the victims are bitten by fleas, they may have previously came into close contact with pets like dogs and cats or wildlife including rabbits, raccoons, squirrels and rats which may carry fleas that bite humans.

When bitten by mosquitoes, the bites flare up quickly and itch immediately, but commonly after a day or so, the itch and swelling usually disappear. The wheal of mosquitoes bites are also slightly raised, bigger and unevenly shaped. There are no definite bite patterns and the bites of mosquitoes also appear more isolated across different parts of the body and doesnt appear in any cluster formation.

The characteristics of bed bug bites usually look like little red bumps that appear in groups or a cluster formation of 3 lined together (often nicknamed breakfast, lunch, and dinner). The reaction to the bites may differ from person to person and symptoms can take from a few minutes to more than 10 days to show up. For most individuals, the bites of bed bugs will itch severely and the discomfort may continue with each passing day. Some people may also develop an allergic response.

If one is still not sure about whether the bites come from bed bugs, fleas, mosquitoes or other insects, pest control experts recommend taking a few minutes to examine the bed sheets for any telltale bloodstains that bed bugs often leave behind after a blood meal. At the same time, inspect the seams, folds and edges of the mattress where you or the victim sleeps for any signs of the live bugs since bed bugs are nocturnal creatures and often hides around these areas of the mattress during the day.

Currently, there are no medical evidence to suggests that bed bugs or their bites transmit disease or are contagious.

Medical and scientific research concerning whether bed bugs carry infectious diseases are still ongoing, and while some studies detected the presence of Hepatitis B virus in the bugs after a blood meal, there are still no medical evidence to prove nor support that the viruses reproduce or spread any diseases in humans.

In very rare cases, people who have experienced an allergic reaction suffered anaphylaxis, a condition that may cause hives, shortness of breath and lowered blood pressure, according to a report from the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The psychological impact of an infestation can cause increased stress, anxiety, depression, paranoia and other mental and emotional issues. Even after a home is free of bugs, people may feel intense fear that a re-infestation will occur.

Treatment for bed bug bites or the resulting skin rash typically involves the use of local antiseptic lotion, antibiotic cream or ointment. Go for corticosteroid creams and oral antihistamines to help reduce the itching, swelling or redness as well as treat any allergic reaction to the bitten areas.

If one does not have theseantibiotic creams around the house, try using an icy compress or running lukewarm water on the welts to help temporarily relieve the discomfort and irritation. Avoid or limit scratching the affected areas. If there are any open wounds due to scratching, wash and keep the bite areas clean to prevent any secondary infection to the wound.

Depending on individuals dermatological response to the bites, most bed bug bites as well as skin rash can take from a few hours to as long as two weeks to heal and resolve.

For those who experience severe allergic reaction, skin infection or pain due to bed bug bites, see your doctor right away.

Since bed bugs, in most cases, attack their victims during the night while they sleep, the first line of defense would be to invest in quality bed bug proof covers to help encase the mattress protect against the bugs and aid in the prevention of the bites.

As a preventive measure, one can also add Climbup Interceptor to the legs of the bed that will prevent prevent bed bugs from climbing onto your bed. Alternatively, for beds without legs, a popular choice would be to stick double-sided tape around the bed.

Alternatively, one can also apply bed bug pesticides like Diatomaceous Earth to defend your perimeters around the area where one sleeps. Diatomaceous Earth helps dehydrates and kills the bed bugs upon contact.

If you suspect you have an infestation, the best piece of advice would be to call in a certified professional to inspect and treat the house.

For travelers: do a little bit of due diligence on the Bed Bug Registry to check for any complaints of bed bugs in the hotel you intend to stay and always, performing a quick check on the hotel mattress, sheets and headboard can help prevent any encounter with bed bugs and their bites.

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Bed Bug Bites & Rash: Pictures, Symptoms, Treatment ...

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Bedbug bites can leave serious damage on the skin. While most bites shouldn't leave permanent marks, they can scar if you pick, scratch or irritate the bites. Thankfully, there are ways to treat bedbug scars and marks. From topical remedies to more intensive treatments, you have a variety of options when it comes to removing bedbug scars. Be persistent in your treatment plan and you'll see the scars fade over time.

Chemical peels

Laser treatment

Rub a scar treatment cream or ointment onto the scars. Onion extract is a key ingredient in such topical treatments. You can find such creams in most drug stores and pharmacies. You'll need to apply the ointment to the scars twice daily for at least two months before seeing results.

Apply silicone scar treatment sheets to your scars. Available in drugstores, these sheets must be applied to the scarred area and left there for several days. Once you remove the sheets, the scars will be lighter and less noticeable.

Use a circular motion to massage your bedbug scars. Repeated massage will help to break up scar tissue so that the scars fade more quickly. It also encourages circulation so the skin can be better nourished.

Talk to your dermatologist about skin bleaching cream. Often, new scars are pink, red or purple in color. Bleaching cream can help to lighten your scars so they better blend in with surrounding skin. While there are bleaching creams available over-the-counter in most cosmetic and drugstores, you can get higher strength creams via a doctor's prescription.

Get chemical peels. Chemicals will react with the top layers of your skin, burning them away. While it will take a few days for your skin to heal, it will appear smoother and less scarred once it does. Chemical peels are available in different strengths, ranging from light to deep. Your dermatologist will be able to advise you on the appropriate strength for your scars.

Try laser treatment. A dermatologist or licensed practitioner will use a laser's light on your bedbug scars. The light will break up scar tissue and rejuvenate your skin, making it smoother and less damaged. With repeated treatments, you should be able to completely get rid of your bedbug scars/

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How to Get Rid of Bed Bug Scars and Marks | eHow

Wouldnt it be nice if there was something you could spray on your body, in your bed, on your clothes and in your luggage to keep bed bugs away? There is a lot of information on the web claiming that various things do just that. But is bed bug repellent just wishful thinking?

A repellent is something bugs will avoid. This is different than a bed bug insecticide, which kills them. A lot of websites seem to use the term repellent to mean insecticide, which can be confusing. In this article Im dealing very specifically with the effect of repelling bed bugs.

I will discuss specific insecticides that are often mis-characterized as repellents. But Im only going to touch on their value as something a bed bug would avoid.

Ill also look at certain herbal or natural substances that are claimed to act as bed bug repellents.

Keep in mind that ultimately, repelling bed bugs might not be the best idea. It is like taking aspirin for a brain tumor. It might make the pain go away for a bit but it doesnt address the underlying problem. And the underlying problem continues to worsen the longer you ignore it. If a bed bug repellent causes bed bugs to disperse, they will find harder to reach hiding places which will make inspection and extermination that much more difficult.

But a functional bed bug repellent could go a long way to protecting you while you travel and in other situations. So lets investigate the idea of bed bug repellents and see what we learn.

These insecticides are commonly used for bed bug extermination and control. Sometimes claims are made that they are also repellent or can be used as a flushing agent. Insecticides should be used as directed as they can be dangerous to people and animals if used incorrectly. This is why they are regulated and should be handled and applied only be trained professionals.

Insecticides made with pyrethroids are known to be repellent to many insects but there doesnt seem to be strong evidence to support that they are repellent to bed bugs. In fact, bed bugs susceptible to pyrethroids will stay on the substance until it kills them. Many bed bugs are resistant to pyrethroids anyway and have been seen crossing materials treated with pyrethroids with no difficulty or ill effect. Ive seen it reported that aerosol pyrethrins are often used as a flushing agent to get bed bugs out of their harbor but this seems to contradict other information published.

Chlorfenapyr is an alternative to pyrethroids and is used in a similar way as a bed bug insecticide. It is not known to be repellant.

Diatomaceous earth (DE) pierces a bed bugs exoskeleton and sucks the water out of it, dehydrating and killing it. DE kills them but the action is not instant (it can take up to two weeks) and there is nothing in DE on its own to repel bed bugs. Some forms of DE are combined with pyrethroids but that wont necessarily make them repellant. See above.

Boric acid, frequently used to kill cockroaches, is often claimed to be a bed bug insecticide and a repellent. But it is in fact neither. This is due to the way bed bugs get their food. Boric acid works as a stomach poison. But bed bugs are attracted to carbon dioxide and the warmth of the body and they feed only on blood. There is no way to entice them to eat boric acid. Although it is abrasive to their exoskeleton, boric acid is not recognized as a repellent.

A chemical formulation of Acetamiprid with Bifenthrin is currently in the process of being registered with the EPA. University testing has shown that it may have some repellant power. So down the road a bit we might see a legitimate bed bug repellent supported by research.

Finally, lets investigate substances that are often referred to as more natural; things such as herbs, essential oils and also common household items.

All-natural substances are appealing if you are concerned with making environmentally friendly choices or you simply prefer natural alternatives over manufactured chemicals. Appealing as these factors may be, best practices for using them rarely exist and many of them can be dangerous if used incorrectly.

Additionally, just because something is all-natural doesnt mean its safe or environmentally friendly. Marketers often cast manufactured chemicals as the bad guy and then position (their) all-natural substances as the good guy. Its a simple (but effective) trick they use to get you to do what they want: buy their stuff.

If you see the words all-natural and it gives you the warm fuzzies, keep in mind that poison ivy is all-natural as is snake venom and poisonous mushrooms. Black walnut (discussed below), also all-natural, can be toxic to both plants and animals. If it seems like Im going heavy on the dangers of all-natural substances it is because:

Essential oils include cinnamon oil, lemongrass oil, clove oil, peppermint oil, lavender oil, thyme and eucalyptus. Essential oils are often claimed to both kill and repel bed bugs. It appears accepted that many of these oils will indeed kill bed bugs. However I could only find anecdotal evidence from non-professionals and claims made by pesticide manufacturers to indicate that they act as effective bed bug repellents. There may be some effective repellents to be found here but it is hard to tell. Teatree oil can be toxic to both humans and pets.

Ive seen the claim that black walnut dust is effective in both repelling and killing bed bugs. This claim often references the National Park Service as supporting this but I havent found any information on their site. For now the claim that black walnut dust is an effective bed bug repellent seems anecdotal, although there may be information supporting it as an insecticide in the book: A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Black walnut dust may cause allergic reactions in people and animals.

Petroleum Jelly (people also refer to it by the brand name Vaseline) is often applied to the legs of a bed or other surfaces to catch bed bugs. Some people believe the smell of the petroleum jelly repels bed bugs but there doesnt seem to be much evidence to support that.

Alcohol is known to kill bed bugs on contact (3 parts rubbing alcohol with 2 parts water in a spray bottle). But it isnt a repellent. It dries almost right away and it has no residual effect once it has dried.

This is the active ingredient in several household products like shampoo, shaving cream and toothpaste. It is also an active ingredient in the EcoBugFree and Bed Bug Terminator sprays, both of which appear to be supported by professionals for killing bed bugs. It doesnt appear to act as a bed bug repellent though.

Dealing with bed bugs is difficult and stressful. You may consider trying anything just to make progress or get some relief. There is a lot of information out there but much of it is confusing or misleading. The bottom line appears to be best put in a document published by Dini M. Miller Ph. D of Virginia Tech:

Repellents: no functional repellents

Right now, it just doesnt seem as though theres a lot of evidence to support the existence of effective bed bug repellents. If you have direct experience you would like to share on this topic or you are a manufacturer that does indeed sell a proven bed bug repellent, please get in touch to share your thoughts with other readers.

Further reading:

The rest is here:
Bed Bug Repellent (Repellant).