Brief observationPsychological Effects of Bed Bug Attacks (Cimex lectularius L.)
Section snippets
Methods
In order to generate preliminary data on this issue, we used a previously published PTSD checklist of symptoms based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV) criteria4, 10 to survey online blogs and other Internet sites where bed bug postings occur. These sites, Bedbugger.com, Bed bug resource.com, and Insectgeeks.com, were visited daily for 1 month between May 15 and June 15 and postings were scored using the checklist.11, 12, 13 Scores ≥50 were
Discussion
Although this study was limited by a database obtained from spontaneous reporting of bed bug bites, the findings are remarkable in that over 80% of reports included one or more symptom associated with PTSD. Intuitively, the likelihood of fulfilling DSM-IV criteria for PTSD would have been increased had we been able to conduct prospective interactions with those affected. However, this review of self reports and our personal experience suggests that PTSD may develop in susceptible individuals.
Conclusions
Bed bug infestations and associated bites produce a variety of emotional and psychological reactions, some of which may meet criteria for PTSD, although further research is needed to determine to what extent PTSD may occur after attacks by bed bugs. Our findings suggest that all individuals who experience bites should be queried for symptoms of emotional trauma and be offered psychological counseling where indicated. More accurate and available public health information on the biology, ecology,
Acknowledgments
Breanna Lyle helped locate Internet postings describing bed bug bite experiences. Leigh Baldwin Wright helped in the preparation of this manuscript. This article has been approved for publication by the Mississippi Agriculture and Forest Experiment Station, Mississippi State University (No. J-12045).
References (16)
- et al.
Posttraumatic stress disorder in the primary care medical setting
Gen Hosp Psychiatry
(2000) - et al.
The resurgence of bed bugs in Australia
Environ Health
(2004) bed bugs bounce back in all 50 states
The San Francisco Chronicle
(April 8, 2007)- et al.
Bugs without borders: defining the global bed bug resurgence
Pest World
(2010) - et al.
Posttraumatic stress disorder: epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosisUpToDate medical topicshttp
Bed bugs can spark post-traumatic stress disorder, expert says
The New York Observer
(May 30, 2008)- et al.
Rapid rise in bed bug populations: the need to include them in the differential diagnosis of mysterious skin rashes
South Med J
(2008) Bed bugs bounce back
Miss Morb Rep
(2008)
Cited by (91)
The common bed bug Cimex lectularius synthesizes hemozoin as an essential defense against the toxic effects of heme
2023, Experimental ParasitologySevere anemia due to bed bugs hyperinfestation
2020, Microbial PathogenesisCitation Excerpt :Clinical manifestations to bed bug bites can include a wide spectrum of dermatological manifestations, varying from erythematous macules or papules to bullous eruptions which can be occurred as several bites in a row or cluster [5]. Beside clinical issues, they are responsible of significant psychological disorders [8]. They may scarcely cause systemic reactions including asthma, generalized urticaria, angioedema, anaphylaxis and iron deficiency anemia documented in a limited number of case reports [9].
Bed bugs shape the indoor microbial community composition of infested homes
2020, Science of the Total EnvironmentCitation Excerpt :Although bed bugs have not been established as vectors of any human pathogens, they are competent vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi and Bartonella quintana, the causative agents of Chagas disease and trench fever, respectively (Leulmi et al., 2015; Salazar et al., 2015). Bed bug infestations are associated with severe anemia in residents (Pritchard and Hwang, 2009), they produce copious amounts of environmental contaminants (e.g., histamine) (DeVries et al., 2018), and they adversely affect the quality of life through allergic responses to bites, secondary infections, sleeplessness, anxiety and ostracism (Goddard and de Shazo, 2012; Hwang et al., 2005; Reinhardt and Siva-Jothy, 2007; Romero et al., 2007; Susser et al., 2012). An adult female bed bug can produce about 200–500 eggs in her lifetime, about 1–2 eggs each day as long as blood meals are readily available.
Bed Bug Infestation: An Updated Review
2024, Current Pediatric ReviewsEffectiveness of heat treatment in rapid control of bed bugs in environmental conditions resembling their natural habitats
2024, International Journal of Environmental Health Research
Funding: None.
Conflict of Interest: None.
Authorship: Both authors had full access to the data and a direct role in the writing and preparation of the manuscript.