Bed bugs
Revision as of 13:13, 22 March 2016 by Ostermayer (talk | contribs) (Text replacement - "Category:Derm" to "Category:Dermatology")
Background
- Cimex lenticularis
- Bed bug bites known as Cimicosis
- Attracted to CO2, warmth, exposed surfaces
- Hide near beds, cracks, crevices
- Feed at night
- May appear translucent (nymphs,) brown (mature bug,) red (after meal,) black (after digestion)
- Belong to Hemiptera like kissing bugs which are vectors for trypanosomiasis (Central and South America)
Clinical Features
- Up to 20% of patients do not experience symptoms[1]
- Pain immediately after bite
- Erythematous papules, bullae, and wheals may take days to develop
- Classic line of bites: "breakfast, lunch, and dinner"
Differential Diagnosis
Domestic U.S. Ectoparasites
See also travel-related skin conditions
Diagnosis
Clinical diagnosis, based on history and physical exam.
Management
- Antihistamine for pruritis
- Consider topical steroids to decrease inflammation
- No evidence that medications improve outcomes
- Treat systemic reactions similar to anaphylaxis (rare)
- Self-limited 1-2 weeks without treatment
- Eradication using pesticides and other traditional approaches
Disposition
Discharge if no systemic symptoms
See Also
External Links
References
- ↑ Jerome Goddard & Richard deShazo (2009). "Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) and clinical consequences of their bites". Journal of the American Medical Association 301 (13): 1358–1366. PMID 19336711.