By Disease Name > Lice

Lice

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phthirus pubis

•“crabs”;  axillary, pubic, eyelash hair
•maculae cerulae

 

pediculosis humanis corporis

•vector for three diseases – epidemic typhus, trench fever, relapsing fever
•transmits through defecation

 

pediculosis humanis capitis

•intense pruritis of the scalp;  often only the nits are seen
•all lice live by sucking blood from the human host every 3 to 6 hours
•obligate parasites of humans, (head lice can survive away from host for ~ 3 days)
•nits – hatch 8 to 10 days

 

Treatment:  

•permethrin 1% (Nix) apply to dry scalp for 5 to 10 minutes; then rinse off; repeat 1 week
•malathion 0.5% (Ovide) apply to dry scalp 8 to 12 hours; rinse off; repeat in 1 week
•resistant cases:  Rx permethrin 5% cream (Elimite)  (overnight, under shower cap)
•Eurax works well for resistant pubic lice
•pediculosis pubis (especially when on eyelashes) - petrolatum ointment 2 to 4X / day for 8 to 10 days

 

instructions for topical treatment:

•apply after shampooing without conditioner;  to thoroughly dry hair
•do not shampoo again for 24 hours
•re-treatment in  a week is necessary, since no treatment is ovicidal
•nit removal (combing with a nit comb) should be meticulous in the week between treatments
•

 

•resistant cases: ivermectin 250 µg/kg single dose
•children:   <15kg = don’t use ivermectin;  15-24kg = 3mg tab X1;  25-35kg = 6mg tab X1; >35kg = adult dose