Parasitic siseases Pediculosis, scabis

Classification of pediculosis Pediculosis capitis(head lice) it involves the scalp or,occassionably eyebrows, eye lashes, or beard. Most common in children. Transmitted through poor personal hygiene and over crowded conditions. Severe itching and scalp excoriation are typical manifestation. Nits, attached to hair shafts, are visible on inspection.

Body lice (pediculosis corporis) Is infestation of the body. Nits live in clothing next to the skin.(e.g underwear). Body lice can spread through bed sheets and shared clothing, specially in over-crowded areas Signs and symptoms include itching.,red papules and in later stages, rash or wheals

Pediculosis pubis (pubic lice) Is infestation of the pubic hairs or, less commonly, other sites such as body hair and axillary hair. It is transmitted venereally and by contact with infested bedsheets or clothing. Anogenital itching and skin irritation develop and small blue-gray spots may arise on the thighs. Nits attach to the skin at the base of the hair, their relatively large size makes them fairly easy to detect

Who can get lice Anyone can get lice. You are at greatest risk of getting hair lice if you come into close contact with someone who already has head lice. Head to head contact is the most common way to get lice, however, you can also get it from contact with an infected persons clothing (such as hat, coat, scarves, hair ribbon) or other personal items (such as a brush, comb or a towel). Head lice jump or fly.

Hair lice symptoms While, some people have no symptoms, most people will have some or all of the following symptoms: frequent feeling of something moving in their hair. · Nits that look like whitish shells are found attached to the base of hair strands near the scalp. · Scalp itching that is caused by an allergic reaction to the lice bites. · Irritability. · Red sores that can become infected if repeatedly scratched.

Adult female lice lay eggs, called nits Adult female lice lay eggs, called nits. These nits are firmly attached to the base of the hair shaft, closest to the scalp. The nits are often confused for dandruff. After a week or so, the nit hatches into a baby louse called a nymph. Nymph’s look like adult louses, but are smaller. They become an adult in 10 days, and as an adult live for about 30 days. To live, nymphs and adult lice must feed on blood. If the louse falls off a person and cannot feed, it will die within 2 days.

scabis Scabies is a skin infestation caused by the burrowing eight-legged mite Sarcoptes scabiei A. tiny mite that has infested humans for 2,500 years, this tiny creature is just barely visible to the human eye. It is common among children

Scabies Sarcoptes scabei mite Transmitted from person to person-”But where did the first person get it?” Equal opportunity infester Incubation period-weeks to months Characteristic rash often hidden by dermatitis Its cardinal symptom is severe itching, often most intense at night, that's caused by an allergic reaction to the mite.

Skin rash from scabies is especially prevalent between fingers, around elbows, wrists, & pubic areas, or at other places with skin folds Scabies is transmitted by prolonged personal contact, sexual or otherwise. It's especially common in the close conditions of day-care, schools, nursing-homes, & prisons. Skin rash from scabies is especially prevalent between fingers, around elbows, wrists, & pubic areas, or at other places with skin folds

How does scabies spread? Scabies is transferred by direct skin-to-skin contact. It can also be transferred by contact with clothes or bedding that has been contaminated by an infected person. A very common way to get scabies is to shake hands with an infected person. It can also be transmitted during sexual contact

The female insect, (a tiny, eight-legged creature with a round body) seeking warmth, burrows into the skin where she lays 1 - 3 eggs daily and produces secretions which often cause an allergic reaction. A small, hard to see, reddish zigzag blister usually marks the trail of the insect as she lays her eggs.

When the eggs hatch, the larvae travel to the skin surface where they develop into adult mites. It might be a month before a newly infested person will notice the itching, especially in people with good hygiene and who bathe regularly. Scabies is transmitted by close personal contact with an infected individual, is highly contagious, and spreads rapidly

Scabies spreads rapidly under crowded conditions where there is frequent skin-to-skin contact between people, such as in hospitals, institutions, child-care facilities, and nursing homes. Clothing can be another way to transferr scabies. If scratched off the skin, it can live in bedding up to 24 hours.

You cannot get scabies from pets. Scabies mites only infest humans You cannot get scabies from pets. Scabies mites only infest humans. Scabies mites can only survive for three or four days if they are away from the human body. You are contagious and can spread scabies until all the mites and eggs are killed by a treatment. Now that you understand scabies and its symptoms, we will discuss scabies treatment. Scabies treatment

Scabies treatment Everyone living with an infected person, as well as intimate contacts, should be treated. Everyone should be treated at the same time to prevent re-infestation with scabies from other persons who might be infected but do not have any symptoms yet. Also, the infected persons clothing and bedding needs to be washed in hot water and ironed so as to kill the mite and all of its eggs. Contaminated objects e.g.combs should be boiled orthewise decontaminated

General therapeutic treatments OTC pediculicides and scabicides Pyrethrins; are extracted from chrysanthemum flowers stimulate the parasitic nervous system.,this will paralyses and kills the parasite. Precautions: water based pyrethrines are less toxic , but also less effective than kerosene based pyrethrines .However, they should not be applied to the face or mucous membranes because of their greatest toxicity, kerosin based pyrethrines are best suited for application on contaminated objects rather than on human skin

Piperonyl butoxide; this agent inhibits the hydrolytic enzymes that metabolize pyrethrines by the insect and is effective when used n conjunction with pyrethrines. Lindane( gamma benzen hexachloride) or benzyl benzoate Are the drugs of choice for treatment of scabies and pediculosis but both are Prescription –only drugs. They are common in lotion and shampoo, cream, ointement. After bathing with soap and water. The is applied over the entire body from the neck dowen and left for 24 houres. They may reapplied in one week. During treatments clothes and bedding should be laundered, ironed, or dry cleaned. Other contaminant objects e.g. comb should be boiled or otherwise decontaminated.