Cimicosis is a condition caused by cimex bites.
Causes
Cimex is also known as bed bug, and there are some kinds of cimex, mainly cimex lectularius and cimex hemipterus. Bed bugs have a very flat back and abdomen, and they are often not noticed immediately after biting humans, unless there are a large number of bed bugs at the same time. Bed bugs are mostly nocturnal and can travel long distances to reach their hosts. They may come from remote areas, such as bird nests, poultry, old houses, and furniture. Bed bugs hide themselves in seams, mattresses, and other cracks during daytime, and crawl on human skin to suck blood at night. Each blood suck takes about 10 - 15 minutes.
Figure 1 bed bugs
Signs and Symptoms
Skin lesions are mostly on the exposed areas, and occur on the next morning or within 10 days after being bitten. Skin lesions includes central depressions, purpuric spots, erythema, papules, wheals, pruritus, central bleeding spots, and bullae. Lesions can be linear or clustered. Older patients usually present milder symptoms than younger ones. Skin lesions usually subside in one week. Secondary infections may occur.
Figure 2 skin lesions of cimicosis
Diagnosis
If there are clinical manifestations and bed bugs, the condition can be diagnosed.
Treatment
Symptomatic treatment is generally appropriate. Anti-itch lotions and antihistamines can be considered.
Prevention
Bed bugs can be eliminated with high temperature drying or pesticides.