Lice (Head, Body and Pubic Lice) | Pediculosis | Species, Symptoms and Treatment

Summary

This video discusses lice infestations, including head, body, and pubic lice. It explains the different species of lice, their transmission methods, risk factors, and life cycles. Head lice are most common in children, body lice are linked to poor hygiene and overcrowded living conditions, and pubic lice are sexually transmitted. The clinical symptoms include intense itching, skin irritation, and possible bacterial infections. Diagnosis involves identifying lice or nits, and treatment includes topical treatments like permethrin and combing with vinegar solutions. In severe cases, oral ivermectin may be used. The video also highlights the importance of cleaning clothing and bedding.

Takeaways

• 😀 Lice are parasitic insects that infest human hair or skin, including head, body, and pubic areas.
• 😀 There are three species of lice that affect humans: head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis), body lice (Pediculus humanus corporis), and pubic lice (Pthirus pubis).
• 😀 Head lice are most commonly found in children and individuals of European descent, with females more likely to be affected.
• 😀 Body lice are associated with poverty, poor hygiene, and crowded living conditions, with homeless populations being at higher risk.
• 😀 Pubic lice are primarily transmitted through sexual contact, affecting young adults and adolescents more commonly.
• 😀 Lice are transmitted through direct contact or indirect contact via fomites like clothing, hats, or furniture.
• 😀 Adult lice can range from 0.8 to 4 millimeters in size, depending on the species, and females can lay several eggs (nits) daily.
• 😀 Clinical symptoms of lice include itching, visible lice or nits, excoriation from scratching, and possible secondary bacterial infections like impetigo or trench fever.
• 😀 Diagnosis of lice involves visualizing adult lice or nymphs, or identifying nits attached to hair shafts, with treatment initiated based on findings.
• 😀 Treatment options for lice include topical insecticides like permethrin 1%, fine combing to remove nits, washing bedding and clothing in hot water, and in severe cases, oral ivermectin.

Q & A

What is lice, and what are the three species of lice that affect humans?

Lice is an infestation of the body, head, or pubic hair by an obligate insect parasite. The three species of lice that affect humans are: 1) *Pediculus humanus capitis* (head louse), 2) *Pediculus humanus humanus* (body louse), and 3) *Pthirus pubis* (pubic louse).

What are the conditions caused by the different species of lice?

The conditions caused by lice are: 1) *Pediculosis capitis* (head lice infestation), 2) *Pediculosis corporis* (body lice infestation), and 3) *Pediculosis pubis* (pubic lice infestation). Pubic lice can also lead to *pediculosis ciliaris*, an infestation of the eyelashes.

What are the main risk factors for head lice infestations?

The main risk factors for head lice infestations include: 1) Children being more commonly affected, 2) Females being more affected than males, and 3) Individuals of European descent being at higher risk compared to those of African descent.

What factors increase the likelihood of body lice infestations?

The risk factors for body lice infestations include: 1) Poverty, 2) Poor hygiene, and 3) Crowding, as these factors increase the transmission of body lice, especially in populations like the homeless.

What is the primary mode of transmission for pubic lice?

Pubic lice are primarily transmitted through sexual contact. They can also be transmitted indirectly through fomites, though this is less common.

What is the life cycle of head lice?

Adult female head lice are about 2-3 millimeters in size and live for about one month. They lay 7-10 nits (eggs) per day, which hatch into nymphs. The nits are cemented to the base of hair shafts, and over time, nymphs mature into adult lice.

How do body lice differ in their transmission and living habits from head lice?

Body lice are transmitted through both direct and indirect contact, with a particular focus on clothing. They live in the seams of clothing and can survive up to three days without feeding. Unlike head lice, they do not live on the scalp but rather on clothing.

What is the clinical presentation of a lice infestation?

The clinical presentation of lice includes seeing the lice or nits in the hair, intense itching due to an allergic reaction to lice saliva, excoriation or scratch marks, hyperpigmentation, and possibly regional lymphadenopathy (enlarged, tender lymph nodes). Secondary bacterial infections, such as impetigo, can also occur.

How can lice transmit bacterial infections?

Lice can transmit bacterial infections such as *Bartonella quintana* (causing trench fever) and *Rickettsia prowazekii* (causing typhus) through their bites or feces. Scratching due to itching can also lead to skin breaks, making individuals more susceptible to secondary bacterial infections.

What are the treatment options for lice infestations?

Treatment options for lice include using topical pediculicides such as permethrin 1%, which can be applied as shampoos or lotions. Fine combing the hair with a diluted vinegar solution helps remove nits. Cleaning clothing and bedding in hot water is essential, especially for body lice. In severe cases, oral ivermectin can be used to eliminate the lice.