Bed Bugs (cont.)
What about bed bugs in hotels?
Many news reports in recent years have focused on the discovery of bed bugs in upscale hotels, and a number of lawsuits have been filed by guests in these fashionable hotels who awoke to find hundreds of bed bug bites covering their skin. Searching on Tripadvisor and other travel-review sites regularly reveals information and even photos confirming the presence of bed bugs in numerous hotels.
Since the bed bugs can arrive on the clothing or in the suitcases of guests from infested homes or other hotels harboring the pests, hotels can be an easy target for bed bug infestations.
How are bed bugs spread?
Bed bugs live in any articles of furniture, clothing, or bedding, so they or their eggs may be present in used furniture or clothing. They may also be present in boxes, suitcases, or other goods that are moved from residence to residence or from a hotel to home. Bed bugs can live on clothing from infested homes and may be spread by a person unknowingly wearing infested clothing.
What are the symptoms of bed bug bites?
Bed bugs are not believed to carry infectious microbes;
however, they do bite and suck blood from humans. In the act of feeding on human
blood, they may inject their own saliva into the bite area, leading to a
localized area of itching and swelling.
If scratched, the bite areas can become infected. Bed bugs are most active at
night and bite any exposed areas of skin while an individual is sleeping. Bed
bug bites may go unnoticed or be mistaken
for flea or mosquito bites or other skin conditions. Bed bugs also have glands whose secretions may leave
odors, and they also leave dark fecal spots on bed sheets and around their
hiding places (in crevices or protected areas around the bed or anywhere in the
room).
How do I detect a bed bug infestation in my home?
You can look to see if you can identify the fecal
stains, egg cases, and exuviae (shed skins) in
crevices and cracks on or near beds. You should also look at other areas such as
under wallpaper, behind picture frames, in couches and other furniture, in bed
springs, and even in articles of clothing. While fecal stains and skin casts suggest that bed bugs have been present, these do not confirm that the infestation is still active. Observing the bed bugs themselves is
definitively confirmation that your home is infested. You may require
professional assistance in determining whether your home contains bed bugs.
Next: How do I get rid of bed bugs in the home? »
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From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com  |
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- Rash - Learn about rash causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Common skin rashes include poison ivy, hives, shingles, eczema, contact dermatitis, ringworm, psoriasis and impetigo. Source:MedicineNet
- Itching - Learn the causes and treatments for itching (itch). Dry skin, fungus, sunburn and bites may cause itching. Excessive scratching may lead to thickened skin (lichenification). Source:MedicineNet
- Sleep - Read about how to get a healthy nights sleep, how much sleep is enough, and why skimping on sleep can lead to poor performance, health, and moods. Source:Government
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