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Pediculosis - Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Definition

Pediculosis is an infestation of the hairy parts of the body or clothing with the eggs, larvae or adults of lice. Head lice infestation is most affected on children aged 3 to 10 and their families. Females get head lice more often than males, and in the United States, African-Americans have head lice less often.

Causes

Pubic lice are known scientifically as Phthirus pubis. Lice infestation is a common sexually-transmitted condition and is found mostly in adolescents. Transmission generally occurs during sexual activity, but it can occur through physical contact with contaminated objects or clothing such as toilet seats, sheets, blankets, hats, combs, brushes, or other personal items that were in contact with the infected persons head, lice die soon after leaving a persons head. Some women have acquired it while trying on swimming suits at the store.

Symptoms

Head lice infection doesnt often cause symptoms. The primary symptom associated with head lice infestation is an itchy scalp. Itching in the groin area should lead to an examination for louse nits (eggs) in that area. Severe scratching may result in secondary bacterial infection in these areas. Pubic/crab lice do not spread disease. Body lice are capable of spreading certain diseases like epidemic typhus, relapsing fever, and trench fever, none of which are common in United States.

The first time a person is infested with lice, it may take several weeks or months for itching to develop or to be noticed. In a repeat case of lice, a person may begin to itch within 2 days of infestation because the immune system reacts more quickly when exposure has occurred previously.

Treatment

There are several ways to treat head lice. After washing the hair apply lots of conditioner and comb it thoroughly with a fine-tooth comb - the lice and nits will be caught on the comb. Products containing pyrethrins are available over-the-counter, but those containing lindane are available only through a physician's prescription. Lindane-based shampoos are also available but not recommended for infants, young children and pregnant or lactating women.Chemical-free treatments can be used as often as needed. They do not kill lice or nits. They slow down the lice and make it easier to comb them out.

Your doctor may recommend a topical cream to relieve itching, or an antibiotic if you have a bacterial infection. Wash bedding, towels, and clothes in hot water and detergent, and dry them thoroughly at a high heat setting to get rid of any dead lice. Although it is not necessary, you may want to throw away old combs or brushes and buy new ones to use after the lice are gone.