Too embarrassed to ask your doctor about sex, body quirks, or the latest celeb health fad? In a regular feature and a new book, "What the Yuck?!," Health magazine medical editor Dr. Roshini Raj tackles your most personal and provocative questions. Send 'em to Dr. Raj at whattheyuck@health.com.
Q: A guy I just started dating has bedbugs. Can I catch them from him?
Indirectly, yes. Bedbugs, or Cimex lectularius, are not passed person to person - they are only attached to humans for 5 to 10 minutes while they feed on blood (yuck, I know).
The rest of the time they hide out and lay eggs in cracks and crevices on mattresses, bed frames, and sofas.
Bedbugs could jump onto your clothes or into your bag, though, and hitch a ride to your place. And these critters bite.
The bites look like tiny round red spots; they're usually very itchy. Buy an anti-itch lotion (look for ones with 1% hydrocortisone) to ease the intense itchiness.
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Copyright Health Magazine 2011
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