Bed Bugs: Clinical Symptoms, Treatment, and Awareness Strategies

This report focuses on bed bugs, addressing their clinical symptoms, treatment methods, and public health significance. The assignment begins by highlighting the nocturnal nature of bed bug bites, leading to nocturnal pruritus and potential bacterial infections. It lists common clinical symptoms like inflammation, swelling, redness, and itchiness, along with the psychological impacts such as irritability. The report emphasizes the importance of both physical and mental health treatment and advises against scratching. It suggests research directions, such as finding new chemicals to combat bed bugs, and calls for increased awareness in areas with poor hygiene, including the potential for bed bugs to transmit diseases like Chagas disease. The report provides practical advice for individuals affected by bed bugs, including the use of anti-itch creams, antihistamines, and ice packs. The aim of the report is to provide a brief overview of Cimex bugs to help researchers develop control methods and to raise awareness among the general population.

Running head: BED BUGS
Bed Bugs
Name of Student
Name of University
Author Note

1BED BUGS
References:
Susser, S. R. (2013). «Good night, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs
bite»: exploring the mental health fallout of urban
bed bug infestation in Montréal, Québec.
Zhu, F., Gujar, H., Gordon, J. R., Haynes, K. F., Potter, M. F., &Palli,
S. R. (2013). Bed bugs evolved unique adaptive
strategy to resist pyrethroid insecticides. Scientific
reports, 3, 1456.
Rahim, A. H. A., Zahran, Z., & Ab Majid, A. H. (2016). Human skin
reactions towards bites of tropical bed bug,
CimexhemipterusF.(Hemiptera: Cimicidae): A
preliminary case study. Asian Pacific Journal of
Tropical Disease, 6(5), 366-371.
Olson, J., Eaton, M., Kells, S., Morin, V., & Wang, C. (2013). Cold
Tolerance of Bed Bugs and Practical
Recommendations for Control. Journal Of
Economic Entomology, 106(6), 2433-2441.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/ec13032.
Minocha, R., Wang, C., Dang, K., Webb, C. E., Fernández‐Peñas, P.,
& Doggett, S. L. (2017). Systemic and
erythrodermic reactions following repeated
exposure to bites from the Common bed bug
(Cimexlectularius Hemiptera: Cimicidae). Austral
Entomology, 56(3), 345-347.
The aim of this brochure
is to provide a brief idea regarding
the Cimex bug which would help
research scholars develop ways to
control its spread and for health
organizations to make the general
population aware of the bed bug
infection.
It is caused by Cimex
lectularius, a type of parasitic
insect that feeds on blood of other
animals.
Commonly found in third
world countries where there is
unsanitary hygiene conditions and
congested population.
Now, scientist say that
even in developed countries like
Europe, United States and Canada,
Cimex infection is common (CDC
- Bed Bugs – Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQs), 2018).
Occurs mainly at night,
which makes the person succumb
to nocturnal Pruitus, or incessant
scratching in sleep which causes
bacterial infections (Susser,
2013).
The common clinical symptoms
of Bed big bites are as follows:
 Inflammation
 Swelling
 Redness
 Bullous eruptions
 Itchiness
 Development of rash
and lesions.
The discomforts caused to
the patient are mainly, irritability,
nocturnal pruritus (Minocha et
al., 2017).
Cimex as a potential
vector to T.cruzi and awareness
should be created in areas where
Chagas disease is potent.
People are advised to
use an anti-itch cream, along
with that an antihistamine
ointment to help them reduce
itchy and burning sensation. Ice
packs can be helpful in numbing
the affected area and reduce the
urgency to scratch. Antiseptic
creams or lotions should be kept
at hand if any infection is seen
Health practitioners are
requested to clinically treat their
mental health if necessary along
with physical treatment and
advise the affected people not
enhance their infection by
mistreatment and scratching
(Rahim et al., 2016).
Scientists should try to
find chemicals that would directly
destroy the genetic structure of
the bugs that are structurally
dissimilar to pyrethriods (Zhu et
al., 2013).
Health organizations
should create awareness in colder
countries and observe the low
hygienic areas to find the
presence Cimex bugs and way to
control their pathogenesis (Olson
et al., 2013).