Pediculosis: LicePediculosis: LiceMelanie Dicks, Pharm.D., BCACP February 3, 2016PPS 926 Nonprescription Pharmaceuticals & Supplies II
The ConditionThe Condition•Parasitic infection•Require frequent blood feedings•Wingless •Well-developed legs grip hair shafts•Types–Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis)–Body lice (Pediculus humanus corporis)–Pubic lice (Phthirus pubis)
Types of LiceA – Phthirus pubis aka “crab louse”B – Pediculosis humanus capitis aka “head louse”C – Pediculosis humanus corporis aka “body louse”
Pediculosis capitis louse
Epidemiology & Risk FactorsEpidemiology & Risk FactorsHead lice: •Mostly ages 3-12 years•Elementary schools and daycares•Close personal contact and sharing personal items•All socioeconomic backgrounds•Males appear less susceptible •African Americans/black people affected much less frequentlyBody lice, AKA “cooties”: •Poor hygiene•Reside in clothing•Can transmit typhus and trench feverPubic lice, AKA “crabs”:•High risk sexual contact, toilet seats, shared undergarments, bedding, etc . •Usually infest pubic area•May be found in armpits, eyebrows, eyelashes, mustaches, and beards
Head LiceHead Lice
PathophysiologyPathophysiologyThe head louse is an active insect, 3-4 mm in length.Female deposits up to 150 eggs (nits) in her 20 -30 day lifespan. Nits are firmly attached to hair shafts and hatch in 5-10 days. The nymph looks like an adult, but matures in 8-9 days.Adults feed insatiably on scalp and adjacent areas of face and neck.Cycle may repeat every 3 weeks.
Head lice eggs
Clinical PresentationClinical Presentation•A nit/egg is 1 mm and is yellowish or grayish-white•After hatching, egg cases become white and more visible•
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- Summer '19
- Head louse, Pediculosis, Body louse, Crab louse, head lice, Pharmacological Therapy
