Every Thing about LICE
There are three types of human lice: the head Lice, body lice, and the pubic, or crab lice. All are bloodsuckers, and the head and body louse are identical in appearance. The crab louse differs from the others in that its width is greater than its length. Its front legs are powerful and curved forward for grasping, giving it an appearance similar to its namesake, the crab.
HEAD LICE
Head lice primarily infest children. The major symptom of their presence is itching, and secondary infection is common, and the lymph nodes of the back of the head and neck may be enlarged and tender. An itchy rash may be seen around the neck and on the trunk. Nits, or louse eggs, appear as small, oval whitish objects that are firmly attached to hair shafts. While flakes of dandruff are easily brushed off the hairs, nits are not. The lice themselves are agile and can be very elusive.
HEAD LICE
Head lice primarily infest children. The major symptom of their presence is itching, and secondary infection is common, and the lymph nodes of the back of the head and neck may be enlarged and tender. An itchy rash may be seen around the neck and on the trunk. Nits, or louse eggs, appear as small, oval whitish objects that are firmly attached to hair shafts. While flakes of dandruff are easily brushed off the hairs, nits are not. The lice themselves are agile and can be very elusive.
Treatment for HEAD LICE
Gamma benzene hexachloride (GBH, lindane or Kwell) shampoo is prescribed by most pnysicians. Approximately I tablespoon is used to clean the scalp thoroughly for four minutes. The hair is rinsed and dried, and a second shampooing may be necessary in a week.
Several over-the-counter preparations are of value, especially those containing mixtures of pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide. These are applied for ten minutes and then washed out with soap or shampoo. Such preparations should be kept away from the eyes, mouth, and nose. Dead nits and lice may be combed out afterwards with a fine-tooth comb.
After treatment, washable clothing and personal articles that may be contaminated should be machine washed or dry cleaned, as appropriate. Nits can be destroyed by drying for twenty minutes at high heat.
BODY LICE
These lice can live in the seams of clothing, and generally thrive in unsanitary conditions. Their bite produces small red bumps that are quickly scratched away. Linear scratch marks usually appear on the shoulders, trunk, or buttocks after infestation, and secondary infection is possible.
Treatment for BODY LICE
Laundering, dry cleaning, boiling or ironing infested clothing will destroy nits and eggs as well as the lice. The lice die in about ten days if they cannot feed. If clothing is stored for thirty days, adult lice as well as nits that hatch in the interim will not survive.
PUBIC LICE (Crab Lice)
Pubic lice infestations normally occur in the pubic hair, but they are sometimes found in body hair, the armpits, eyebrows, or eyelashes in severe cases. These lice are sandy colored, partially transparent, and flat. Often seen attached to the base of a hair, the lice vary in size, but are usually about the size of a pinhead. Nits attached to hair shafts are conclusive evidence of infestation with pubic lice. The rash may be no more than a few scratched bumps except in severe cases, but itching can be severe.
Treatment for PUBIC LICE (Crab Lice)
GBH is most often used for pubic lice. A warm bath is followed by the application of a thin layer of GBH to the infested area as well as to adjacent, hairy areas. The medication is washed off after twenty-four hours. If nits persist, a second application in one week may be necessary. Clothing or bed articles that have been in contact should be washed, laundered, ironed or boiled.
The over-the-counter agents mentioned in the section on head lice may be used.
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