Sensitivity to bites by the bedbug, Cimex lectularius

Abstract

Bedbugs are a public health problem and can cause significant economic losses, but little is known about the effects of bites on humans. We reviewed case reports and published papers on bedbug bites to assess the empirical basis of the commonly cited figure that only approximately 80% of the population are sensitive to bedbug bites. We found the sensitivity estimate to be based on only one study carried out 80 years ago. However, this study did not account for the now well-established fact that only repeated exposure to external allergens leads to skin reactions. In our sample, 18 of 19 persons showed a skin reaction after bedbug exposure, but in most cases only after repeated controlled exposure. With repeated exposure, the latency between bite and skin reactions decreased from approximately 10 days to a few seconds. Our results are relevant for the hospitality industry, where apparently increasing infestation rates are likely to lead to an increase in the number of tourists and hotel employees exposed to bedbugs. Medical and public health professionals may expect to see an increase in the prevalence of people with bedbug bite sensitivity. The significance of the delayed reaction time of skin to bites may also have implications in litigation cases where people seek compensation.

Bed Bugs: Clinical Relevance and Control Options

“…It is important that published bed bug bite descriptions have been based on a single observation as a one-off clinical presentation, and the source of the bite (as in bed bug instar, stage, or species) is usually not known, not identified, or not stated. Some individuals will develop no reaction, although this may depend on previous exposures (129,250). The reaction may start out as small indistinct red macular lesions less than 5 mm in diameter (130) (Fig.…”

“…This has prompted a number of recent clinical reviews (67,72,78,106,126,130,143,144,175,287,289), while contemporary clinical investigations have only just begun to emerge (241,250). Despite numerous reviews, articles continue to present unsubstantiated scientific "facts" on bed bugs.…”

Human fine body hair enhances ectoparasite detection

“…They were aged between 19 and 27 years (median age 21 years). All participants were made aware of the risk of being bitten (no volunteers were bitten during the course of this study) and the potential risks of adverse dermatological reactions if they were bitten [14]. Each volunteer was assigned an identifying number and all data collected were anonymized with respect to host.…”

Prevention, identification, and treatment options for the management of bed bug infestations

“…Although allergic reactions may appear immediately or 7Á11 days post-exposure, individuals without previous exposure to bed bug bites may appear asymptomatic (Reinhardt et al 2009). Reinhardt et al (2009) proposed that Correspondence author: D. Fong (e-mail: daniel.fong@bccdc.ca).…”