Pediculosis capitis
- Itching is common
- Erythema and intensely pruritic papules.
- Nits attached to hair shafts.
- Favoured site - behind the ears.
- Cervical lymphadenopathy common in children.
Pediculosis corporis
- Itchy papules and excoraitions.
- Vagabond’s disease.
Pediculosis pubis
- Lice and nits seen by patient or family members.
- Attached to the base of the hairs.
- “maculae caeruleae” slate coloured macules resulting from, intra cutaneous hemorrhages.
- Head louse: Scalp hair common in children (3 -11 yrs). Head to head contact, sharing combs, brushes and hats.
- Body louse: Clothes, mainly seams, poor hygiene and unsanitary conditions.
- Pubic louse: Pubic & axillary hairs, also scalp, eyebrows and eyelashes. Any hairy area. Intimate contact, sexual intercourse and shared clothes.
- For pediculosis corporis only washing and rinsing all clothes in hot water followed by hot ironing the seams is required.
- Repeated application of petrolatum on eyelashes & eyebrows, then remove the lice with tweezers.
- Contacts should be checked and treated.
- Combs, hair brushes and clothes should not be shared.
