Lice & Scabies Flashcards
Pediculosis = ?
Lice
Describe Pediculosis (lice)
- ectoparasites that live on human hosts
- feed off of blood
- live in hair (prefer clean hair)
- do not burrow into skin
Read Pg 876 of CTMA 2 for lice pathophysiology
ok
pediculus humanus capitus
head lice
pedicures humanus corporis
body lice
phthirus pubis
pubic lice
Describe head lice
- feed every 3-6 hours so eat about 3-4 times per day
- live on hair close to scalp
- need the heat from the scalp to maintain their body temperature
- about 10-20 live lice per active infection
- they are about the size of a sesame seed
- they lay eggs called Nits
Describe body lice
- body lice will live and hide in the seams of clothes
- feed at night - which will cause nocturnal itching
- body lice are bigger than head lice
- body lice can spread disease
Describe pubic lice
- can have pinchers, thats why they are called “crabs”
- smaller pin sized head
- they are shorter
- arms are wider (need a longer reach because pubic hair is farther apart than normal hair)
- small yellow, or light brownish when empty
- brown/red when fed
- public lice can also be found in armpits, eyelids, and beards
Risk factors for Lice
- school aged children
- more prevalent in females (they have longer hair, share clothes/hats, and combs)
Is personal hygiene or socioeconomic status determine whether or not you or your kid will have lice?
not head lice
but can be a factor for body lice
T or F: lice spread disease
head lice - false
body lice - true
Describe the life cycle of lice
- adult female life cycle = 30 days and she lays about 7-10 eggs per day
- lice lays eggs (called a nit)
- eggs hatch 8-10 days later and undergo 3 nymph stages to eventually mature into adult forms within 8-15 days (head and body) or 14-22 days (pubic)
How long can head lice survive off the human for?
4 days
How long can body lice survive off the human for?
3 days
How long can pubic lice survive off the human for?
3 days
Risk factors for head lice
- aged 3-11
- female
- clean hair/healthy host
Risk factors for body lice
- poverty
- overcrowding
- low hygiene
Risk factors for pubic lice
- sexually active
- young adults
Transmission of head lice
- head to head contact
- Fomites: hats, hair accessories, brushes, towels
Transmission of body lice
- direct body contact with infested person
- shared clothing & linens
Transmission of pubic lice
- mainly sexual or close body contact
- possibly fomites (why the f u wearing hats on ur junk ?)
How fast can lice run?
23cm/min
speedy
Signs and symptoms of head lice
- pruritus (itching) especially the back and side of scalp
- this occurs when the individual becomes sensitized to the saliva from the louse feeding (this can take 4-6 weeks for initial infestation or 1-2 days for secondary infestation)
-some people may be asymptomatic