A Simple Guide to Lice

A Simple Guide to Lice
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What is Lice?
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Lice is a parasite called Pediculosis which can live on your skin.

Whare are the locations of Lice?
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It can occur at the
1. head or Pediculosis Capitis and

2..body or Pediculosis corporis.

3. pubis or Pediculosis Pubis

Pediculosis Capitis
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Pediculosis Capitis (hair lice) causes itchiness of the scalp and produce nits(small ovoid eggs) on the hair shafts.
It is spread by personal contact, combs, hats, caps.
The incidence is high in school children and people with long hair.

Pediculosis corporis
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Pediculosis corporis (body lice) also causes itchiness of the skin of the body.
It is also spread by personal contact, clothing and is associated with poor personal hygience.

Pediculosis Pubis
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Pediculosis pubis (pubic lice) usually cause itchiness of the pubic area.
There may be lice or nits on their anogenital hair.
Pediculosis pubis is usually spread by sexual contact.

What are the symptoms of Lice?
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1. Itchiness of the skin with scratch marks

2. Small red bites.

3. Excoriation of the skin

4. Nits on scalp and pubic hairs

5. Urticaria

6. bacterial infections at sites of bites.

7. lice and eggs sometimes seen on underwear or clothing.

How do you diagnose Lice?
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The lice and nits can be seen with a magnifying glass.

What is the treatment of Lice?
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There are various topical medications used to treat lice:

Benzyl Benzoate lotion applied to affected areas and washed off after 30 minutes

Permethrin 1% cream rinse applied to affected areas and washed off after 10 minutes

Malathion 0.5% lotion applied for 12 hours and washed off
Resistance to pediculcides is widespread and increasing.

Nits should be removed with a fine comb.

Bedding and clothing should be machine-washed, machine-dried using the heat cycle, and allowed to dry in the sun.

Patients should avoid sexual contact with their sex partner until all have been treated.

All family members should be treated in order to eradicate the lice.