Question by Caity J:
Can doctors diagnose bed bugs?
I have noticed a number of itchy red bites on my legs, and have done a little research and suspect it may be bed bugs. However, I have not actually seen any, and was wondering if a doctor would be able to identify bed bug bites at all? If so, what type of doctor would I have to see – a general physician, the nurse at work, a specialist? If I could get confirmation that it’s bed bugs (without having to see any for myself!) I would happily get an exterminator and wash everything. I can’t really think what else it may be, having ten or so bites like these.
Thanks!
Best answer:
Answer by Jeffry
It probably would be a good idea to see a dermatologist, and suggest that you think that the bites may be from bed bugs. Without actually seeing the bugs, it is difficult to definitively say that they are what’s biting you. I’m a student entomologist in New York, and I work in a lab where people send in bugs to identify, and very often we get samples from people concerned that they have bed bugs because they have all these “bites,” and the samples turn out to be some harmless beetle or something. There might be some other creature responsible, such as fleas, for example. However, a more likely cause might simply be an allergic response to something. That is, your skin might be breaking out in little red bumps (that look like bites) in response to something in the air, such as dust, pollen, etc. One common cause of little red bumps is a reaction to dust mite feces. Dust mites are tiny (microscopic) arachnids that tend to take up residency in people’s homes – under sofas, in mattresses, etc. They feed on decaying organic material, such as dead skin particles and hair. Contrary to what you read on the internet, dust mites DO NOT bite. However, when a person is sleeping and their skin interacts with dust mite droppings, they can wake up with little patches of red bumps that look like bites.
General physicians, from what I’ve heard, tend to not be good at identifying specific insect and bug bites. I’ve heard many examples of skin problems getting misdiagnosed as insect or spider bites, so I don’t think its a good idea to rely on their opinion for that! A dermatologist might be a safer bet, but I dont think most doctors receive the training that allows them to tell one bite mark from another.
As far as getting someone to come in and spray for bed bugs, it’s probably a good idea to make sure that you have them first, which you can do yourself, rather than spend the money on a specialist. Basically, just inspect your mattress and bedding, and see if you a) find any bugs running around and/or b) find reddish brown stains on sheets (which are their feces). Also, check around your bed on the floor, under old clothes, in cracks in the wall – anywhere that bed bugs might congregate that is in the room where you are getting bitten. If you really have a bed bug problem, you should eventually be able to find a few actual bed bugs. Also, if you have pets, check around their bedding or wherever they sleep, too! The little beasties will feed on them, too! Here’s a link to our lab’s fact sheet about bed bugs for more info:
http://www.entomology.cornell.edu/cals/entomology/extension/idl/upload/Bed-Bugs.pdf
Good luck!
Add your own answer below.
More posts like this one in Bedbug Questions.
{ 0 comments… add one now }