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Bed bugs

Last reviewed: October 2023

Author(s): Dr Isabella Patterson, Sherwood Forest Hospitals, United Kingdom; Dr Maulina Sharma, Consultant Dermatologist, University Hospitals of Derby & Burton NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom (2023)
Previous contributors: Marie Hartley (2009)

Reviewing dermatologist: Dr Ian Coulson

Edited by the DermNet content department


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What are bed bugs?

The bed bug is a flat, small, wingless parasitic insect that bites through the skin to feed on human blood. Bed bugs come from the insect family Cimicidae, with the two main species being Cimex lectulatius and Cimex hemipterus.

Bed bugs do not live on humans, but rather in human habitats and often hide in the seams of a mattress or between the wooden parts of furniture frames. They detect carbon dioxide, heat, and odours released by humans and tend to feed during the night once or twice a week. However, their activity is reduced at lower temperatures and reports suggest they can survive up to a year without feeding.

Bed bugs

Click for images of bed bug infestation

Who gets bed bugs?

Bed bugs feed on the blood of animals, particularly humans. Those who travel frequently or sleep in places where there is a high turnover of people staying there (eg, dorm rooms, motels or hotels, or emergency accommodation) may be at higher risk. 

Reports of bed bug infestations appear to be increasing in homes, apartments, hotel rooms, hospitals, and hostels in developed countries with approximately 9% of apartments in large American cities having bed bugs in 2022. 

What causes bed bug infestation?

Bed bugs are found worldwide. Infestations are on the rise in urban populations, which is thought to be secondary to a ban on many organophosphates insecticides (chemicals targeting crop-damaging insects and small animals). They are attracted to warm environments and infestations typically occur in or around sleeping areas.

Bed bugs do not travel on humans, but can travel in furniture (particularly upholstered furniture), luggage, and clothing. Bed bugs cannot fly or jump, but once fed can move at the pace of an ant and can migrate through holes in walls, water pipes, or gutters, thus moving across rooms in dwellings. In developing countries, bed bugs can be found in the cracks and crevices of the walls of mud houses, as well as thatched roofs.

What are the clinical features of bed bug infestation? 

Bed bugs cannot be identified from their bite alone. The bed bug bite lacks venom and their saliva has antibacterial defensin (an antibacterial peptide) resulting in up to 70% of people having no bite reaction.

  • A small punctum (hole) may be seen at the site of the bite.
  • Some people develop cutaneous reactions with pruritus (itching) and (most commonly) 2–5 mm red bumps.
  • Purpura, petechiae, vesicles, urticaria, pustules, localised infection, and (rarely) anaphylaxis may also develop.
  • Hypersensitivity reactions may develop in some who become sensitised to bed bug saliva.
  • If bites are seen, they are often reported to be in a linear formation in groups of three, sometimes termed the ‘breakfast, lunch, and dinner’ pattern.
  • Bed bugs feed on exposed skin, therefore the limbs are a more common site for bites. 

Bed bugs are reddish brown in colour and oval-shaped, and in adulthood can be between 5–15 mm in length (around the size of an apple seed). The eggs laid by bed bugs can be difficult to see as they are translucent and reach 1 mm across. Another sign of bed bugs is their droppings, visible as dark rust-coloured spots which can stain.

Papular lesions dues to bed bug bites

Click for images of bed bug infestation

How do clinical features vary in differing types of skin?

In darker skin types, bites may look faint pink or purplish in colour and with time may develop into a darker brown colour, with postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. Look for signs of swelling and itchy areas which may indicate the presence of a bite.

What are the complications of bed bug infestation?

Bed bugs have not been shown to carry diseases between humans. Potential complications of bed bug bites and infestation include:

How is bed bug infestation diagnosed?

Bed bugs cannot be diagnosed solely from their bite. For accurate diagnosis, the bed bug needs to be found and identified in mattresses, bedding and under loose wallpaper, if required, with the help of a specialist such as a pest control company.

What is the differential diagnosis for bed bugs?

What is the treatment for bed bugs?

Bed bug bites often do not require treatment. In those who are symptomatic:

  • A cool, damp cloth over areas of irritation can improve symptoms
  • Itchy lesions can be treated with topical steroids and/or oral antihistamines
  • Secondary infection should be treated with antibiotics
  • Rare systemic anaphylactic reactions to bed bug bites may require intramuscular adrenaline.

Eradicating bed bugs

Bed bug eradication is the key to treatment, but has become more difficult with many bed bugs developing resistance to pesticides (chemical substances used to kill insects). 

  • Use a mattress encasement cover which completely seals the mattress. The cover usually needs to be left on for at least one year.
  • Declutter rooms to remove areas the bed bugs can hide and live.
  • A vacuum cleaner with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter can be used to remove the bed bugs. It is important to ensure they are then disposed of correctly in a tightly sealed bag.
  • Heat treatment — bed bugs will die at 60°C. Washing, tumble drying, or steam cleaners that reach this temperature will kill the bed bugs.
  • Cold treatment — bed bugs will die at -20°C.
  • Professional pest control companies may be required to eradicate an infestation and often repeated visits are necessary.

How do you prevent bed bugs?

Some key ways to prevent a bed bug infestation include:

  • Avoid putting luggage on the floor or bed when travelling, or place it in a plastic bag.
  • Check second-hand furniture thoroughly before introducing it into homes or offices. 

What is the outcome for bed bug infestation?

If bed bugs are not eradicated, they will continue to live and reproduce as long as they have a food source. They can survive for several months without food, so empty houses or offices may not suffice for eradication.

There is very limited evidence of long-term harm to humans exposed to bed bugs, however, there have been a few reports of anaemia secondary to a chronic and sustained bed bug infestation.

Click for images of bed bug infestation

 

Bibliography

  • Abbar S, Cooper R, Ranabhat S, et al. Prevalence of Cockroaches, Bed Bugs, and House Mice in Low-Income Housing and Evaluation of Baits for Monitoring House Mouse Infestations. J Med Entomol. 2022;59(3):940–948. doi: 10.1093/jme/tjac035. Journal
  • Bernardeschi C, Le Cleach L, Delaunay P, Chosidow O. Bed bug infestation. BMJ. 2013;346:f138. doi: 10.1136/bmj.f138. Journal
  • Kaushal A, Gupta K, van Hoek ML. Characterization of Cimex lectularius (bedbug) defensin peptide and its antimicrobial activity against human skin microflora. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2016;470(4):955–960. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.01.100. Journal
  • Sheele JM, Pritt BS, Libertin CR, Wysokinska EM. Bed bugs are associated with anemia. Am J Emerg Med. 2021 Aug;46:482–488. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2020.10.070. Journal
  • Shipman KE, Weaving G, Shipman AR. Bedbugs: how to diagnose and manage cases of infestations. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2023;48:453–461. doi: 10.1093/ced/llac140. Journal

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