Is it Bed Bugs?

Do you know how to spot a bed bug bite?

1. Which of the following statements is/are TRUE regarding bed bugs?

A. Practice of basic cleanliness invariably prevents bed bug infestation
B. Bed bug bites are usually painless
C. Bed bugs are a major vector for infectious disease
D. A and B

2. A bed bug bite brings a cutaneous reaction in approximately __________ of adult patients.

A. 3% to 10%
B. 45% to 52%
C. 75% to 96%

3. Which of the following statements is/are TRUE regarding bed bug bites?

A. Bed bug bite reactions appear within 24 hours of the bite
B. A patient’s rate of sensitivity to bed bug bites decreases as exposure increases
C. Clinical features of bed bug bites are not distinctly associated with bed bugs
D. None of the above

4. During diagnosis, which of the following conditions might be necessary to differentiate from bed bug bites?

A. Herpetic infection
B. Medication allergy
C. Scabies infestation
D. All of the above

5. True or False. Bed bug bite lesions may closely resemble bullous pemphigoid.

A. True
B. False

Answer Key:

1. B. Bed bug bites are usually painless - According to an article published online in Internal Medicine News, bed bug bites are usually painless, studies have not shown bed bugs to be a significant vector for infectious disease, and bed bug infestation can occur regardless of a location’s state of cleanliness.

2. C. 75% to 96% - According to studies data cited by the same article, a bed bug bite brings a cutaneous reaction in approximately 75% to 96% of adult patients.

3. C. Clinical features of bed bug bites are not distinctly associated with bed bugs - The clinical features of bed bug bites appear in any arthropod bite reaction, some bed bug bite reactions may take more than a week to appear, and a patient’s rate of sensitivity to bed bug bites increases as exposure increases.

4. D. All of the above - Herpetic infection, allergy to medication, and scabies infestation are all among the conditions included in the differential diagnosis of bed bug bites.

5. A. True - Bullous types of bed bug bite lesions may closely resemble bullous pemphigoid in elderly patients and children.