05/05/2026
Wikipedia
BED BUG
Bed bugs are insects from the genus Cimex, which are parasites that feed on blood, usually at night.[7] Their bites can result in a number of health issues, including skin rashes, psychological effects, and allergic symptoms.[5] Bed bug bites may lead to skin changes ranging from small areas of redness to prominent blisters.[1][2] Symptoms may take between minutes to days to appear and itchiness is generally present.[2] Some individuals may feel tired or have a fever.[2] Typically, uncovered areas of the body are affected.[2] Their bites are not known to transmit any infectious disease.[5][7][8] Complications may rarely include areas of dead skin or vasculitis.[2]
Bed bug
Other names
Cimicosis, bedbugs
An adult bed bug (Cimex lectularius) with the typical flattened oval shape
Specialty
Family medicine, dermatology
Symptoms
None to prominent blisters, itchiness[1][2]
Usual onset
Minutes to days after the bite[2]
Causes
Cimex (primarily Cimex lectularius and Cimex hemipterus)[3]
Risk factors
Travel, second-hand furnishings[4]
Diagnostic method
Based on finding bed bugs and symptoms[5]
Differential diagnosis
Allergic reaction, scabies, dermatitis herpetiformis[2]
Treatment
Symptomatic, bed bug eradication[2]
Medication
Antihistamines, corticosteroids[2]
Frequency
Relatively common[6]
Bed bug bites are caused primarily by two species of insects: Cimex lectularius (the common bed bug) and Cimex hemipterus, found primarily in the tropics.[3] Their size ranges between 1 and 7 mm.[7] They spread by crawling between nearby locations or by being carried within personal items.[2] Infestation is rarely due to a lack of hygiene but is more common in high-density areas.[2][9] Diagnosis involves both finding the bugs and the occurrence of compatible symptoms.[5] Bed bugs spend much of their time in dark, hidden locations like mattress seams, or cracks in a wall.[2]
Treatment is directed towards the symptoms.[2] Eliminating bed bugs from the home is often difficult, partly because bed bugs can survive up to approximately 300 days without feeding.[6][8] Repeated treatments of a home may be required.[2] These treatments may include heating the room to 50 °C (122 °F) for more than 90 minutes, frequent vacuuming, washing clothing at high temperatures, the use of various pesticides.[2], and coating the entire room with a dusting of diatomaceous earth.
Fossils found in Egypt show bed bugs have been known as human parasites for at least 3,500 years.[10] Despite being nearly eradicated in developed countries after World War II, infestations have increased since the 1990s and bed bugs are now relatively common in all regions of the globe.[7][3][4][6] Experts point to several factors that have contributed to the explosion in infestations over the last three decades: increased immigration and international travel, expanded markets for second-hand goods, a greater focus on control of other pests, the banning of certain pesticides, and increased resistance to pesticides still in use.[4][11][12]
Effects on humans
Description
Infestation
Distribution
Species
Evolution
Historical reports
Society and culture
References
Further reading
External links
Last edited 2 days ago by Muffinbutt1985
Related articles
Epidemiology of bed bugs
Topic in public health
Bed bug control techniques
Methods to prevent bed bug infestations
Cimex hemipterus
Species of true bug
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