How aware are you concerning the recent upsurge in the incidence of bedbugs? As most of you know, I am a derm in Delaware. I have been seeing patients for months who have slept in some of the nicest hotels in NY and casino hotels in Atlantic City with bedbug bites. The bites are quite characteristic. At first, the hotels were in denial, but now they know they have a major legal and PR problem. They have certainly hushed it, but they can't seem to contain it.

Bedbugs do not live in the linens, but inhabit the structural parts of the bed and bedframes. They reproduce prolifically and spread from room to room easily. They sense a warm blooded human and come out to feed at night, only to be gone by morning. Many of my patients, when confronted by fresh bites in the morning went to the medical services of the hotels where nurses told them every excuse but the truth. They do not eradicate easily at all and are a real problem.

I have patients who have photographed and documented their bites and I expect that they will seek legal compensation. The stonewalling of the hotel industry (while they are furiously trying to stop the problem) has made for some bad feelings.

Dick

Are you serious??? I spend 6-8 nights a month in hotels. Never encountered that. And I hope I never do!

Its been occurring for years.

Wow! And I thought it was a spontaneous mutation that occurred a few minutes ago!

I've heard about the problem in NY. Didn't know it was in Atlantic City (which is where I am heading tomorrow).

One of the problems is that mattress companies who deliver new mattresses use the same truck to remove the old mattresses. Bedbugs on the old mattress get on the new ones... Viola... they spread to all sorts of new homes/hotels.

From what I have read, bedbugs were pretty much eliminated in the 60's and 70's when pest control companies used much more toxic chemicals. Now that a number of them have been banned, the bedbugs are making a resurgence.

A tell-tale sign is the presence of swollen itchy bumps in an almost linear pattern "the morning after." The more you scratch or rub them, the more they swell and itch. They are self-limited and will disappear eventually. Some of the more potent corticosteroid creams and oral antihistamines are helpful as is direct application of ice.

Dick

?

I was referring to the lawsuits re bed bugs. I handled one in California (defense side of course - plaintiff attorneys are a scourge of society (just kidding...sort of)) in 2001.

Oh icky topic.

Bad wine is better than this!

So, Blackstone, it is. Only thing you can find in South Texas when stranded, other than bedbugs.


Hum? So who are you that have budbugs? Where do you live?

I intend to stay away from your neck of the......etc.

You're correct Rothko. Bedbugs were less prevelant in the 60s because DDT is extremely effective in eliminating them. Of course, DDT is now banned and therefore bedbugs proliferate. Bedbugs can sense where your veins are by the increased heat and bite you there. They can live a year without feeding.
In a hotel, put your luggage on a luggage rack to reduce the chances of you infecting your home upon return.

Such evolutionary adaptations are why they, roaches, and other "simple" insects will someday inherit this earth, surviving us all.

Dick

How do you know if there are bed bugs present in the bed? you said they live in the mattresses so how would you check?