Pediculosis
(head &
body lice) and Phthiriasis (pubic lice):
WHAT
ARE LICE?:
Lice are wingless
parasitic insects that feed on blood and infest the hairy parts of
human
bodies. Humans are affected by three types of lice; head, pubic
and
body lice. Body lice are the result of extreme overcrowding and
poor
sanitation.
Head and pubic
lice attach their eggs to the base of the hair shaft. Body lice
attach
their eggs onto clothing. Eggs hatch in six to nine days and
require
warm temperatures to survive, but can survive from 2 - 10 days away
from
the host, depending on the type of louse.
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Lice can live
from 20 - 30 days and will produce 5 eggs per day during this
time.
As their name implies, head lice can be found in the scalp area, and
pubic
lice are generally found in the pubic area, but can also be found in
eyebrows
and armpits.
HEAD LICE:
Are 2-3mm, or 1/16 to 1/8 inch, or about the size of a sesame seed,
in length with a flat elongated body and are spread through personal
contact
and the sharing of such items as combs, brushes, clothing and bedding.
PUBIC LICE:Are
1.5 to 2mm in length with a crab shaped body and are usually spread by
sexual contact or by crowding clothing together in lockers and other
places.
BODY LICE:Are
a tad larger than Head Lice and are spread by sharing unwashed clothing
and living in very overcrowded conditions.
WHO GETS
HEAD LICE?: Head lice occur in all socioeconomic groups and
are
not a sign of uncleanliness. Anyone can get head lice under the
right
conditions, but are most commonly found in elementary school and day
care
children.
WHAT ARE
THE SYMPTOMS OF HEAD LICE?: Itching is the most common
symptom
of a head lice infestation, but children with a light infestation may
not
show any symptoms. Therefore, a thorough examination of the hair
and scalp is necessary.
HOW SOON
DO SYMPTOMS APPEAR?: Itching may occur two or three weeks
after
infestation with head lice.
HOW LONG
IS A PERSON ABLE TO SPREAD HEAD LICE?: Lice can spread as long as
they
are alive on hair or clothing.
WHAT IS
THE TREATMENT FOR LICE?: Medicated shampoos, cream rinses
and
soaps are used to kill lice. They are available from you doctor,
or over the counter. Follow the directions on the label and
repeat
the process in 7 - 10 days to kill any lice which hatched after the
first
treatment.
DO NOT TAKE
THE INFESTED PERSON TO A SALON!!!: As you can imaging, a
hair
salon is the worst possible place to take an infested person as the
infestation
could spread through an entire community like a wild fire. The
law
also prohibits the salon from treating the infected person and you will
directed to leave the salon abruptly and vigorously which may cause you
a great deal of embarrassment.
WHAT CAN
BE DONE TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF HEAD LICE?:
1. Contacts
of people with head lice should be checked for nits and lice and
treated
if necessary, and they should be taught not to share combs, brushes,
hats,
or other headgear.
2. Clothing,
sheets, blankets and bedspreads should be washed in hot water (128
degrees
F) for five minutes to destroy eggs and lice. Storing clothing in
plastic bags for ten days is also effective.
3. Combs,
brushes and similar items should be soaked for 10 minutes in a pan of
hot
water (128 degrees F), or by soaking them in the medicated shampoos for
1 hour.
4. Vacuum
furniture and carpets.
5. Regular
inspection of children attending elementary school and day care.
FOR MORE
INFORMATION SEE YOUR DOCTOR OR CALL YOUR LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT. OR GO TO THE
AMERICAN HEAD LICE INFORMATION AND RESOURCE CENTER: @ www.HeadLiceInfo.com
