Chances are you or someone you know has been bitten by a bed bug. In recent years there have been a number of incidents in the news about cases spreading. Experts believe the recent increase in bed bugs may be due to more travel, lack of knowledge about preventing infestations, increased resistance of bed begs and ineffective pest control practices.
The reality is there is a lot of misinformation about bed bugs.
Many people think that bed bugs are caused by living in a dirty house or apartment. That is not the case. Bed bugs are not attracted to dirt or grime, but rather a warm, dark environment. They are also attracted to blood and carbon dioxide. In addition, bed bugs are not known to spread disease, making them a bit different than other insects, but are a public health problem and should be treated quickly to stop the spread.
Bed bugs feed on blood, which causes itchy and irritating bites. Common bed bugs are small — about a quarter of an inch (7 mm) in length. The bugs are common in hotels and apartments and travel through electrical outlets, cracks in the walls, and molding and plumbing.
Bed bugs affect each person differently. Some people have experienced serious allergic reactions to bites, but typically bites are just annoying and embarrassing. Topical hydrocortisone cream and oral antihistamines help reduce the itching. It is important to monitor the bite to prevent infection.
Most people do not realize they have been bitten until bite marks appear. The bite marks are similar to that of a mosquito or a flea with a swollen, red area that may itch and be irritating. The bite marks may be random or appear in a straight line. Other symptoms of bed bug bites include insomnia, anxiety and skin problems that arise from profuse scratching of the bites.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one of the easiest ways to identify a bed bug infestation is by the tell-tale bite marks on the face, neck, arms, hands or any other body parts while sleeping. However, these bite marks may take as long as 14 days to develop in some people, so it is important to look for other clues when determining if bed bugs have infested an area.
The good news is that there are ways to control bed begs. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends the following:
• Identify the bug, and save a sample so it can be examined.
• Keep records to indicate when an incident occurs.
• Clean all items within the infested area.
• Carefully inspect any secondhand couches, beds and other furniture for signs of bed bugs.
• Reduce clutter where bed bugs can hide.
• If staying in a hotel, keep luggage up on racks and not on the floor.
• When you return from a trip, put clothing directly into the washing machine. Carefully check luggage for bed bugs.
• Avoid harsh chemicals to treat the problem.
• Bring in pest control professionals to evaluate the area.
The Marion CountyPublic Health Department reports dozens of cases each year. The health department works to advocate and educate the public about the problem and has literature available to help home owners, property managers and tenants learn about bed bugs. Please call 221.2000 or visit www.mchd.com for more information.
Nydia Estrada-Nunez, M.D.
Family Medicine
Linwood Health Center
Wishard Health Services