Pediculosis - Symptoms & Treatment

Pediculosis is an infestation of lice that are parasitic insects on the bodies of humans. Pediculosis disease is spread from person to person by close physical contact. Overcrowding inspirits the spread of lice. Head and body lice are uniformly shaped, but the head louse is smaller. The pubic or crab louse is quite discrete in appearance; it has pincerlike claws resembling those of sea crabs. Lice are blood-sucking insects. The condition is more commonly known as head lice. Body lice are spread through direct contact with the body, clothing or other personal items of a person already carrying lice. Pubic lice are most often spread by visceral contact with an infested person. Head lice happens on the head hair, body lice on the clothing, and pubic lice primarily on the hair near the groin. Human lice do not occur on pets or other animals. Human lice are present in all countries and climates. Head lice ( Pediculus humanus capitis ) infestation is most frequent on children. Head lice are spread through direct head-to-head contact with an infested person. Females get head lice more often than males, and in the United States. Body lice are spread through direct contact with the body, clothing or other personal items of a person already carrying lice. Human lice do not occur on pets or other animals. Females get head lice more often than males, and in the United States.

Causes of Pediculosis

Common causes and risk factor's of Pediculosis include the following :

• Poor hygiene.
• Overcrowding.
• Personal contact with people who may have lice.
• Sharing combs, brushes, hats, and other personal items .

Symptoms of Pediculosis

Common Symptoms of Pediculosis

• Itching.
• Scratching.
• Extreme itchiness.
• Swollen lymph nodes.
• Bacterial infection (if scratching causes open areas on the scalp).

Treatment of Pediculosis

Common Treatment of Pediculosis

• Pediculosis capitis, treatment consists of permethrin cream rinse rubbed into the hair and rinsed after 10 minutes. A single treatment should be enough. Use oflindane has been questioned due to a significant failure rate and appertains regarding neurotoxicity. Removing nits with a fine-tooth comb dipped in vinegar is vital; washing hair with ordinary shampoo removes incrustations.
• Pediculosis corporis requires bathing with soap and water to remove lice from the body. Lice may be removed from clothes by washing them in hot water, ironing, or dry-cleaning. Storing clothes for more than 30 days or placing them in dry heat of 140 F (60 C) kills lice. If clothes can't be washed or changed, application of 10% lindane powder is effective.
• Treatment of pediculosis pubis includes application of a topical pediculocide. Several agents such as 0.5% malathion emulsion, permethrin cream, and lindane ointment have been used according to the patient's mode and health care provider's preference.