Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Bed bug science, "experiments," etc.
Bite theory.........
(4 posts)-
spideyjg
oldtimer
Joined: Jul '08
Posts: 1,405
Posted 9 months ago
Thu Jan 29 2009 1:11:50
#
Login to Send PM
Sometimes I have too much intellectual free time.
Anyhow BBs bite and inject a combination of a numbing agent and anticoagulant right?
These compounds are what, in some people, triggers the reaction resulting in the itchy bites.
Is it completely crackpot to believe there can be a relation to the number of bites and the individuals blood clotting efficacy?
The bug injects the stylus into the victim and begins sucking out blood, the wound clots shut after 1/4 a meal, the bug pulls up, moves a bit and sticks again, for 4 times before if fills up. 4 bites, one bug.
Conversely someone on medication that increases bleeding a bug bites once, fills up, and off it goes. One bug, one bite.
Now go 10 bugs one person, 10 bites and the other 40. Same number of bugs but one victim thinks their infestation is way worse.
So this is one way where even folks that do react to bites the bites do not reflect the infestation level.
Too much intellectual free time or plausible theory?
Jim
-
brooklynbite
newbite
Joined: Jan '09
Posts: 26
Posted 9 months ago
Thu Jan 29 2009 14:02:27
#
Login to Send PM
Sounds plausible to me, but I am certainly not qualified to say. I have to admire your logic, though. :)
-
Hi,
One of the posts that has spurred me on to do something of a review on the subject.
I see the logic but would classify this theory as more of a mechanics of feeding than a bite response factor.
i.e. if your blood flows freely then a bug is more likely to get a full feed from a single sitting (injection of feeding tube). If you have thicker blood with higher clotting factors or if you circulation is not as good and the feeding area dries too quickly then more than one bite per feeding is feasible.
Response to bites is immune mediated but is not strictly just as a response to injected anti coagulants and anaesthetics.
I worked out a way a few years ago to test which group you fall into but its:
- Not good science
- Not 100% efficacious
- Necessary to deliberately get bitten at least once
I will most likely have to do this as a PDF and put the summary on the forum.
David Cain
Bed Bugs Limited -
spideyjg
oldtimer
Joined: Jul '08
Posts: 1,405
Posted 9 months ago
Thu Jan 29 2009 15:38:50
#
Login to Send PM
BBcoukHome - 1 hour ago »
Hi,
One of the posts that has spurred me on to do something of a review on the subject.
I see the logic but would classify this theory as more of a mechanics of feeding than a bite response factor.
i.e. if your blood flows freely then a bug is more likely to get a full feed from a single sitting (injection of feeding tube). If you have thicker blood with higher clotting factors or if you circulation is not as good and the feeding area dries too quickly then more than one bite per feeding is feasible.See that sounds so much more scientific than my explanation of the theory. :)
Thanks David.
This is just another aspect that can happen that even in the presence of reaction the bite numbers are not indicative of the infestation level.
If you heal like Wolverine from the X-Men, a BB will have to stick you over and over again to feed. However if you cut yourself shaving and need a transfusion, one bite may be all the BB needs.
Then again Wolverine would never have a welt. ;)
Jim
Reply
You must log in to post.
