By Disease Name > Lice

Lice

Top  Previous  Next

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 = dont use ivermectin;  15-24kg = 3mg tab X1;  25-35kg = 6mg tab X1; >35kg = adult dose