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Bed Bug: Small (~5mm), reddish/brown parasites called Cimex Lectularius. Lines at bottom of cup in image are ~4mm apart (for size reference). The bugs bite humans for blood meal, typically at night, which causes intense puritus. They can live anywhere, with bites often occurring when sleeping out at hotels or other places that are infested. The resulting skin findings appear as discrete highly itchy erythematous macules (at the bite site). The macules are often linear, appearing in groups of~ 3 (i.e. from a series of bites). Hands, feet and face (i.e. exposed areas) are most often affected. Symptoms typically resolve without intervention in ~ 7 days. No bug-directed treatment is needed, with meds often used to address the puritus (the degree of itchiness varies from person to person). The bugs themselves are eradicated via clearing the infected rooms.

Image Credit

Charlie Goldberg, M.D.