Brought to you by: Steph Covey and Ashley Zawacki Head and Body Lice

Background Information Order: Phthiraptera Suborder: Anoplura (sucking lice) Pediculus humanus capitis Common name: head lice Pediculus humanus humanus Common name: body lice Obligate ectoparasites of humans Direct Life Cycle

Both Head and Body Lice found worldwide Geographic Range Both Head and Body Lice found worldwide

Host Definitive Host: both head and body lice infest humans Head Lice most commonly infests: Children ages 3-11 Females Body Lice most commonly infests: all races and ages, especially those with poor hygiene Intermediate Host: none (direct lifecycle)

Morphology Nits (eggs) Nymphs Adults Oval-shaped 0.8 mm by 0.3 mm Look like the adult form about the size of a pin head Adults About size of sesame seed Six legs (each with claws) Wingless, dorsoventrally flattened Eyes – reduced or none

Morphology continued Head Lice Body Lice Males 1-1.5 mm Females 1.8-2mm Body Lice Males 2-3 mm Females 2-4 mm

Transmission Direct contact with person already infested Contact with infested fomites: Wearing clothing worn by infested person Using infested combs, brushes, towels Lying on a bed, couch, pillow, etc that was recently in contact with an infested person

Pathogenesis Not life threatening unless the lice carries a disease-causing organism Progression of Symptoms Bite causes a red papule to develop at the site Rash caused by reaction to bite Pruritis (intense itching) Itching can lead to open sore and secondary bacterial infection

Rash from lice infestation Head Lice Bites Abscess caused by lice infestation

Head Lice Body Lice Causes: plica polonica Causes: Vagabond’s Disease Tangled, matted hair shafts Hair becomes moist and sticky Body Lice Causes: Vagabond’s Disease Dark and thickened skin Results from chronic, heavy infestation

Diseases Three diseases transmitted by body lice: Typhus Trench fever Fatal disease for louse Passed in feces of louse and enter when skin scratched Trench fever Not pathogenic to louse so carry for life Relapsing fever Only enter human when louse is crushed during scratching

Diagnosis Head lice Body lice Live nymphs or adults on the scalp or in the hair Numerous nits within 6 mm of scalp Shine light on scalp, nits and lice appear as yellow-green fluorescent spots Body lice Nits or crawling lice on seams of clothing Usually can be seen with the naked eye, but sometimes a magnifying glass is necessary

Head louse Body Lice

Treatment for Head lice Apply Pediculicide to hair, then comb through hair with fine-toothed nit comb Over the counter medications: Pyrethrins and Permethrin lotion - only kills lice not nits Prescription strength: Malathion lotion Lindane shampoo

Treatment for body lice Improving personal hygiene regular change of clean clothes Clothing, bedding, etc washed in hot water and dried on high setting Sometimes use pediculicide

Control and Prevention Head lice Don’t share hair items Avoid head-on-head contact Body lice Bathe regularly Change into properly washed clothes at least once a week DO NOT SHARE ITEMS WITH AN INFESTED PERSON!!!!!!!

References http://dermatology.about.com/cs/headlice/a/headlice.htm http://www.dhpe.org/infect/lice.html http://www.dpd.cdc.gov/dpdx/html/headlice.htm http://www.emedicinehealth.com/lice/article_em.htm http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/cd/cdped.shtml