In Reply to: what is there to prevent... posted by ridingthewind on Friday, 28. August 2009 at 10:42 Bali Time:
If you Google Bed Bugs there is heaps of info including pictures of what they look like and what the bites can look like. This is infor from Google.
Measures while traveling
Since most bedbugs are carried by travelers through contact with beds and hotel rooms in infected locations, certain measures taken while traveling helps in control of bedbugs:
1.Examining the room for potential hiding places of bedbugs, such as carpet edges, mattress seams, pillow case linings, bedboards, wall trim or other tiny crevices in which bedbugs could hide.
2.Looking specifically at the mattress seams for signs of bedbug activity: droppings, eggs, bloodstains or even bedbugs themselves, hiding in tiny folds and seam lines.
3.Keeping a flashlight nearby while sleeping to immediately observe suspected activity during the night without having to get up out of bed which would otherwise give them time to hide in safety.
4.Not leaving clothing lying on the bed, or any location of possible infestation (as mentioned above) and instead, using hangers or hooks capable of keeping all cloth distant from the floor or bed. Suspend new shopping in bags the same way.
5.Closing all luggage (suitcase, travel bag etc.) when not in use. This way, during the night the bugs may move over the top of the bags and have difficulty getting inside.
6.Elevating luggage off the floor to luggage stand, tables or chairs which can also be hiding places.
Medical Treatment
Treatment is measured depending on the severity of the infection. Usually bed bug bites do not usually necessitate treatment. If itching and inflammation do persist, antibiotic cream or local antiseptic lotion will do the job of curing the infection. But one has to be careful of possible secondary infection. For allergic reactions, it is advised to apply creams with oral antihistamines and corticosteroids.