Editing Bed bug (section)

==Effects on humans==
[[File:Bedbugb1.JPG|thumb|Bedbug bites]]
[[File:Bedbugb2.JPG|thumb|Bedbug bites]]

Bed bugs infest dwellings and bite people, causing irritation and sometimes other issues.  There is no evidence that bed bugs transmit [[infectious diseases]]<ref name=GP2009/><ref name=CDC2017Trans/> even though they appear physically capable of carrying [[pathogen]]s and this possibility has been investigated.<ref name=JAMA2009/><ref name=GP2009/>

===Bites===
The most common skin findings associated with bed bug bites are [[pruritic|itching]], [[maculopapular|flat and bumpy]], [[erythematous|reddish]] [[lesion]]s.<ref name="Parola" /> Each lesion is about {{Convert|2-5|mm|abbr=on|sigfig=1}} but may be as large as {{convert|2|cm|||abbr=on|sigfig=1}} in diameter and there may or may not be a central spot (punctum).<ref name="Parola" /> Bites are usually present on areas of exposed skin, especially exposed areas not covered by sheets or blankets, such as arms, legs, feet, face or neck.<ref name="Parola" /> Individual responses to bites vary, ranging from no visible effect (in about 20–70%),<ref name=JAMA2009/><ref name=GP2009/> to small [[Skin condition#Primary lesions|flat (macular)]] spots, to the formation of prominent [[Cutaneous conditions#Morphology|blisters (wheals and bullae)]] along with intense [[itching]] that may last several days.<ref name=GP2009/> [[Vesicle (dermatology)|Vesicle]]s and nodules may also form. The lesions due to bites may become secondarily infected due to scratching but systemic effects from bed bug bites are very rare.<ref name="Parola" /> A central spot of [[bleeding]] may also occur due to the release of [[anticoagulant|blood thinning substances]] in the bug's saliva.<ref name=Kolb2009/>

Symptoms may not appear until some days after the bites have occurred.<ref name=GP2009/> Reactions often become brisker after multiple bites due to possible sensitization to the salivary proteins of the bed bug.<ref name=JAMA2009/> Numerous bites may lead to a [[erythematous rash|red rash]] or [[urticaria|hives]].<ref name=GP2009/>

Bedbug bites may cause other symptoms and health issues. Serious [[allergy|allergic reactions]] including [[anaphylaxis]] from the injection of serum and other non-specific proteins have been documented, though rarely.<ref name=GP2009/><ref>{{cite journal |last=Bircher |first=Andreas J. |title=Systemic Immediate Allergic Reactions to Arthropod Stings and Bites |journal=Dermatology |volume=210 |issue=2 |pages=119–127 |pmid=15724094|year=2005 |doi=10.1159/000082567 |s2cid=11060759}}</ref> As each bite takes a tiny amount of [[blood]], chronic or severe infestation may lead to [[anemia]].<ref name=GP2009/> Scratching bites may lead to [[bacterial]] skin infection.<ref name=GP2009/><ref name="UCIPM">{{cite web |publisher=UC IPM Online (Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program, UC Davis) |title=How to Manage Pests Pests of Homes, Structures, People, and Pets |url=http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7454.html |access-date=26 June 2010 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305073646/http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7454.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Systemic poisoning may occur if the bites are numerous.<ref>Encyclopedia Americana, 1996 ed., v. 3, p. 431</ref> The bite itself may be painful thus resulting in poor sleep and worse work performance.<ref name=GP2009/>

Bed bugs can feed on warm-blooded animals other than humans, such as pets. The signs left by the bites are the same as in the case of people and cause identical symptoms (skin irritation, scratching etc.).<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Clark |first1=Sandy |last2=Gilleard |first2=John S. |last3=McGoldrick |first3=James |date=2002-09-14 |title=Human bedbug infestation of a domestic cat |journal=The Veterinary Record |volume=151 |issue=11 |pages=336 |issn=0042-4900 |pmid=12356240}}</ref> Bed bugs can infest poultry sheds and cause anemia and a decrease in egg production in hens.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Cater |first1=Jason |last2=Magee |first2=Danny |last3=Edwards |first3=Kristine T. |date=2011-10-01 |title=Severe infestation of bedbugs in a poultry breeder house |journal=Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association |volume=239 |issue=7 |pages=919 |doi=10.2460/javma.239.7.919 |issn=1943-569X |pmid=21961628}}</ref>

====Treatment====
Treatment of bed bug bites requires keeping the person from being repeatedly bitten, and possible symptomatic use of [[antihistamine]]s and [[corticosteroid]]s (either [[topically]] or systemically).<ref name=GP2009/> There however is no evidence that medications improve outcomes, and symptoms usually resolve without treatment in 1–2 weeks.<ref name=JAMA2009/><ref name=Kolb2009/>

===Other effects of infestation===
It is possible that exposure to bed bugs may trigger an [[asthma]] attack via the effects of airborne allergens, although evidence of this association is limited.<ref name=GP2009/>

Serious infestations and chronic attacks can cause anxiety, stress, and [[insomnia|sleep difficulties]].<ref name=GP2009/> Development of refractory [[delusional parasitosis]] is possible, as a person develops an overwhelming obsession with bed bugs.<ref name="injury">{{cite web |author=Susan C. Jones |url=http://www.cuyahogabedbugs.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Bed-Bug-Factsheet-OSU-Extension.pdf |title=Extension Fact Sheet "Bed Bugs, Injury" |date=January 2004 |publisher=[[Ohio State University]] |access-date=25 October 2018 |archive-date=18 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170718232426/http://www.cuyahogabedbugs.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Bed-Bug-Factsheet-OSU-Extension.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>