Pediculosis

  • Lice infection
  • Transmission by direct physical contact or indirect contact with infected clothes, etc.
  • Risk factors
    • Crowded places
    • School
    • Homeless
  • Pathomechanism
    • Delayed allergic reaction to lice saliva
    • May be asymptomatic for weeks while sensitization occurs
  • Pediculosis capitis
    • Pediculus humanus capitis (head louse)
    • Most common in children
    • Clinical features
      • Scalp/neck pruritus
      • Louse eczema on back of neck
    • Diagnosis
      • Detection of lice on the scalp or hair
    • Treatment
      • Permethrin shampoo
      • Lindane shampoo
      • Malathion shampoo
      • Then mechanical removal with a fine-toothed comb
      • Cleaning of all hair tools, bedding, clothes, etc.
  • Pediculosis corporis
    • Pediculus humanus corporis (body louse)
    • Most common in crowded, unsanitary living conditions
    • Clinical features
      • Pruritus
      • Bites on skin
      • Scratching lines
    • Diagnosis
      • Detection of lice in clothing
    • Treatment
      • Topical permethrin
      • Cleaning of all bedding, clothes, etc.
  • Pediculosis pubis
    • Pthirus pubis (crab louse)
    • Transmitted by sexual contact
    • Most common in teenagers and young adults
    • Pruritus in genital area
    • Blue-purple macules in patients with chronic infection
    • Diagnosis
      • Detection of lice in pubic hair
    • Treatment
      • Topical permethrin
      • Cleaning of all bedding, clothes, etc.