- Bites by small parasite, Cimex Lectularius
- Bites humans for blood meal
- Sleeping in homes, hotels, other that are infested
- Not everyone reacts
- Highly puritic, discrete, erythematous, macules at site(s) of bite
- Most often affects exposed areas of body (hands, feet, head)
- Typically resolve w/in 7d if exposure stops
- Bed bug is 5mm, reddish brown, and often visible (if affected person looks at time of exposure)
- Discrete, puritic, erythematous macules at bite site(s)
- Often appear in groups of 3 bites, arranged in linear distribution
- Hands, feet, face (i.e. uncovered areas) most commonly affected
- Treatment directed against itching (e.g. anti-histamines, topical steroids)
- No specific rx - w/goal to eradicate bed bugs from environment to prevent future bites