Mite and Bed Bug Infections

Abstract

Patients with suspected bites or skin rashes regularly present to their primary care physician. Common mite infections encountered in the primary care office include scabies, chiggers, grain itch, and allergic responses from dust mites. In fact, scabies is one of the 50 most prevalent diseases worldwide. Bed bugs are also becoming increasingly common, living in dark crevices, such as mattresses, feeding at night, and causing a maculopapular immune mediated allergic skin response in humans. Proper identification of the mite or bed bug is essential to guide treatment and eradication.

Keywords: Bed bug; Chiggers; Grain itch; House dust mites; Mite; Scabies.