Doctors Issue Urgent Warning for Hotel Guests: Inspect for Bed Bugs Before Unpacking
Planning to relax in your new hotel room after a long journey? Before you toss your suitcase on the bed or start hanging clothes in the closet, medical professionals emphasize there is one critical action you must take first to protect your health and belongings.
"When I first enter a hotel room, I typically leave my luggage at the entryway while I do a quick check for bed bugs," stated Dr. Brianna Olamiju, a dermatologist at Spring Street Dermatology. This simple precaution can prevent a major headache, as those tiny, elusive pests could be hiding beneath the pristine white linens of your temporary bed.
How to Conduct a Thorough Bed Bug Inspection
"When you enter a hotel room, make sure you immediately place luggage in the bathtub or on a tiled surface upon entry, then thoroughly inspect the mattress seams, headboard and furniture using a flashlight for bugs or dark stains," advised Dr. Kefah Al-Ramahi, an internal medicine physician at Hartford HealthCare. This initial step isolates your belongings from potential contamination.
Dr. Tiffany Libby, the Director of Mohs Micrographic and Dermatologic Surgery at Brown Dermatology in Rhode Island, explained the visual clues: "Bed bugs and their evidence can be visible to the naked eye — adult bugs are about apple-seed sized — but you’re often spotting clues like tiny black 'ink-like' fecal dots, shed skins or small blood spots on sheets." These telltale signs are primarily found along the seams, piping, tufts, and corners of mattresses and box springs.
Bed bugs are not limited to the bed area. They can also conceal themselves in electrical outlets, behind loose wallpaper, or at the junctions where walls meet ceilings. Unfortunately, these pests are notoriously difficult to detect during daylight hours, as they are primarily nocturnal.
"If you check once during the daytime upon check-in to the hotel, do a second inspection around nighttime as well, as that is usually the best time to visualize bed bugs," Olamiju recommended. This dual-check strategy increases your chances of spotting an infestation.
What to Do If You Discover Bed Bugs
If your inspection reveals evidence of bed bugs, immediate action is required. "I’d request a different room far away, not adjacent, above or below, or consider changing hotels depending on the situation and response," Libby advised. Do not settle for a nearby room, as bed bugs can easily travel through walls and plumbing.
For those who may have already been exposed, the protocol is clear: "Seal luggage, wash and dry clothing on high heat as soon as possible, and consider heat-treating items that can tolerate it," Libby instructed. She emphasized that the dryer's high heat is essential, as washing clothes alone may not eliminate bugs or their eggs.
When departing the hotel, keep your luggage sealed in a plastic bag. Upon returning home, store bags in a garage or shed until they can be properly cleaned. To disinfect luggage, vacuum thoroughly, paying special attention to zippers, seams, and pockets, then wipe all surfaces with alcohol to kill any remaining bed bugs and eggs.
Identifying and Treating Bed Bug Bites
Bed bug bites can occur even if you never see the insects. "Usually they tend to feed during the night once or twice a week," Al-Ramahi noted. The bites typically appear as 2–5 millimeter red bumps. A distinctive sign is the "breakfast, lunch and dinner" pattern—a linear arrangement of three or more small, itchy marks.
Other symptoms include itchiness, rash, a burning sensation, fluid-filled blisters, and mild pain. To alleviate discomfort, apply a cool, damp cloth to the affected areas. "From a skin standpoint, treat bites with topical corticosteroids and oral antihistamines if itchy. Avoid scratching to reduce the risk of secondary infection or scarring," Olamiju recommended.
It is important to note that bites may not appear immediately; they can emerge one to three days after exposure, unlike mosquito bites, which are more randomly scattered and often fade quicker. Some individuals may experience allergic reactions, including severe itching, hives, or even anaphylaxis. "Hypersensitivity reactions may develop in some who become sensitized to bed bug saliva," Al-Ramahi explained.
If bites show signs of secondary infection or do not heal within a couple of weeks, seek medical attention promptly. By following these expert guidelines, travelers can significantly reduce their risk of encountering these unwelcome guests and ensure a safer, more enjoyable stay.
