What Is Pediculosis?
Pediculosis is a common dermatitis caused by infestation by one of several varieties of lice:
1) pediculosis pubis (pubic louse), caused by Pthirus pubis (pubic louse, "crabs");
2) pediculosis corporis (body louse), and
3) pediculosis capitis (head louse).
The infestation can be diagnoses by a number of symptoms such as:
- Itching with excoriation (deep scratches). Pruritis (itching) is generally intense and very uncomfortable. It is this discomfort that causes the deep scratching (excoriations).
- Pruritic infected papules are common and may be seen.
- Nits (eggs) can be found on hair shafts and the lice themselves are often found on the skin or on clothing.
- Occasionally, sky-blue maculae (flat bumps) occur on the inner thighs or lower abdomen signifying pubic louse infestation.
- The infestation can involve the scalp, trunk or pubic area.
- It usually occurs where people are living in overcrowded situations. It is also common after close intimate contact, shared clothing, sleeping in the same bed or sitting on an infested toilet seat.
- Head lice are commonly spread by sharing combs, brushes or hats.
The Diagnosis
The diagnosis can be confirmed by the characteristic symptoms and appearance of the excoriations and/or finding the lice themselves or their nits. Absolute confirmation is by scraping off a nit or louse and directly visualizing them under the microscope.
Head lice can be found on the scalp or along with nits on the shaft of the hair. They are easiest to see above the ears and at the nape of the neck. Body lice may deposit visible nits on the shaft of the body hair.
Body lice are seldom found on the body, because the louse comes into contact with skin only to feed and must be looked for in the seams of the underclothing.
Pubic louse infestation is occasionally generalized, particularly in a hairy individual. Body lice may be found on the eyelashes and in the scalp.
What Is the Treatment for Pediculosis?
- Body and pubic lice are treated by a process called disinfestation. Several lotion and cream are available to be applied from the neck down to the toes, overnight, and then repeated in one week. These lotion are washed off in the shower the next morning. It is important not to over use this medication as it can be toxic.
- Head lice are also treated with anitpedicular shampoos applied to the scalp rubbed in well for a period of four minutes and then repeated in one week. Lotion can be applied at night and showered off in the morning.
- It is important not to over use this medication as it can be toxic.
- Eyelash involvement may be treated with petrolatum jelly applied twice daily for one week.
- All bedding and clothing must be laundered (with strong soap and doubly rinsed) or dry cleaned. After applying the medicated lotion and awakening in the morning all linens and bedclothes should be stripped and laundered or dry cleaned.
- Unless treatment is aimed at all affected persons in the immediate living area reinfestations will probably occur.
- Purchase a home spray (read the instructions carefully to determine amount necessary) and use it to kill lice that have fallen to the couch or other furniture. It should be used to fog all living areas where anyone who has been which might be caused a secondary infestation.
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