The head louse (Pediculus humanus var. capitis)
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Pediculosis

Pediculosis is an infestation of lice -- which are parasitic insects -- on the bodies of humans. The condition is more commonly known as head lice, body lice or pubic lice. more...

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Head lice (Pediculus capitis) infestation is most frequent on children aged 3-10 and their families. Females get head lice more often than males, and in the United States, African-Americans have head lice less often. The reasons for these two facts are not known.

Head lice are spread through direct head-to-head contact with an infested person. Body lice are spread through direct contact with the body, clothing or other personal items of a person already carrying lice. Pubic lice are most often spread by intimate contact with an infested person. Head lice occur on the head hair, body lice on the clothing, and pubic lice mainly on the hair near the groin. Human lice do not occur on pets or other animals. Lice do not have wings and cannot jump.

From each egg or "nit" may hatch one nymph that will grow and develop to the adult louse. Full-grown lice are about the size of a sesame seed. Lice feed on blood once or more often each day by piercing the skin with their tiny needle-like mouthparts. Lice cannot burrow into the skin.

Head lice and body lice (Pediculus humanus) are similar in appearance, although the head louse is often smaller. Pubic lice (Pthirus pubis), on the other hand, are quite distinctive. They have shorter bodies and pincer-like claws, making them look like crabs (hence, the nickname for pubic lice: "crabs").

The most common symptom of lice infestation is itching. Excessive scratching of the infested areas can cause sores, which may become infected. In addition, body lice can be a vector for louse-borne typhus, louse-borne relapsing fever or trench fever.

Lice on the hair and body are usually treated with medicated shampoos or cream rinses. Nit combs can be used to remove lice and nits from the hair. Laundering clothes using high heat can eliminate body lice. Efforts to treat should focus on the hair or body (or clothes), and not on the home environment.

Some lice have become resistant to certain (but not all) insecticides used in commercially available anti-louse products. A physician or pharmacist can prescribe or suggest treatments. Because empty eggs of head lice may remain glued on the hair long after the lice have been eliminated, treatment should be considered only when live (crawling) lice are discovered. Children with nits should not be sent home from school.

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Head lice hit most school districts
From USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), 10/1/05

When a child comes home from school with head lice and a note from the school nurse, parents usually experience a variety of emotions. According to a survey by Harris Interactive for SafeTek Lice Removal Kit, 54% of women indicated they were embarrassed to learn that they or a family member had head lice, 52% were disgusted, 27% felt panic, while 66% reported "concern."

"In reality, there is nothing to be panicked or embarrassed about; head lice do not carry diseases and even the cleanest children get them," declares Cheri Hayes, certified school nurse and author of There's a Louse in My House. "With children constantly sharing personal items and partaking in close group activities, it is no surprise that head lice are easily spread."

From kids sharing brushes, combs, helmets, and head phones, head lice are passed from one child to another, which translates to millions of missed school days.

While there is no connection between poor hygiene and head lice, 50% of women worry that, if their child came down with a case, other parents would think their home is dirty and unsanitary. Forty percent of women with children in their household either have experienced firsthand or had a family member who has had head lice; this increases to 50% in those homes with five or more members. Health experts estimate that there are 10-12,000,000 cases of head lice per year, with 80% of school districts reporting outbreaks.

Half of respondents mistakenly believe that lice can jump from child to child, while 22% think that children with longer hair are more at risk for head lice and that lice carry disease. (Incidentally, all of these beliefs are false.) However, it is true that 74% of respondents who have children living in their household admit that their offspring share combs, brushes, hats, or helmets with them, siblings, or friends.

Forty-four percent feel that lice removal shampoos containing pesticides are dangerous to children's health and 33% maintain that lice are becoming resistant to these pesticides.

COPYRIGHT 2005 Society for the Advancement of Education
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group

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