Bed bugs are small, flat wingless insects that are reddish-brown in color and approximately one-quarter inch long, before feeding. They can travel by crawling and can go without feeding for months. They feed on human blood by biting through the skin. Although the bite does not hurt at the time, it may develop into an itchy welt like a mosquito bite. Bed bugs do not transmit disease, but they can cause significant itchiness, anxiety, and sleeplessness.
Bed bug infestations are also very difficult and expensive to control. Usually, bed bugs will hide during the day and only come out to feed during the night. Unlike head lice, they do not live on a person. However, they can hitchhike from one place to another in backpacks, clothing, luggage, books, and other items.
Signs and Symptoms
Bites typically occur on skin exposed when sleeping. The initial bite does not hurt, and often occurs in a row. Later the bites may develop itching. Bites often have a raised welt with a red dot in the middle. They do not transmit disease.
Complications
• Minor skin irritations that itch.
o Itching can lead to excessive scratching, which can increase the chance of a secondary skin infection.
• Moderate allergic reactions, which require medical attention.
• Severe allergic reactions, which require immediate medical attention.
• Increased stress is caused by minor skin irritations and the loss of sleep.
Cause: The common bed bug is Cimex lectularius.
Transmission
Bedbugs do not reproduce on humans (unlike lice), and they do not infest or require treatment of a person. They bite then prefer to hide on mattresses, cushions, bedding, and bed frames during the day. Bedbugs infest living environments and require extermination. They are successful
hitchhikers and can move from an infested site to furniture, bedding, baggage, boxes, and clothing.
For more information on bed bugs from the
New York State Center for School Health, click here.