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Signs and Symptoms of Disease

Pediculosis is an infestation of lice that can occur in humans and other mammals. There are three types of lice that affect humans: head lice, which live on the scalp; body lice, which live in clothing and feed on skin; and crab lice, which live in pubic hair. Lice feed on human blood, causing itching. Symptoms include itching and visible bite marks on the affected areas. Lice are most often spread through direct contact or sharing personal items like clothing, combs, or bedding. Treatment involves using medicated shampoos or lotions and washing or sealing personal items to kill lice and eggs. Preventative measures include not sharing

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Adrian Mangahas
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77 views

Signs and Symptoms of Disease

Pediculosis is an infestation of lice that can occur in humans and other mammals. There are three types of lice that affect humans: head lice, which live on the scalp; body lice, which live in clothing and feed on skin; and crab lice, which live in pubic hair. Lice feed on human blood, causing itching. Symptoms include itching and visible bite marks on the affected areas. Lice are most often spread through direct contact or sharing personal items like clothing, combs, or bedding. Treatment involves using medicated shampoos or lotions and washing or sealing personal items to kill lice and eggs. Preventative measures include not sharing

Uploaded by

Adrian Mangahas
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Adrian Jess Galindo

Pediculosis is an infestation of lice, blood-feeding ectoparasitic insects. The condition can


occur in almost any species of mammal, but is commonly used to refer to the infestation
of humans. Pediculosis is an infestation of the hairy parts of the body or clothing with the
eggs, larvae or adults of lice. The crawling stages of this insect feed on human blood,
which can result in severe itching. Head lice are usually located on the scalp, crab lice in
the pubic area and body lice along seams of clothing. Body lice travel to the skin to feed
and return back to the clothing.
Pediculosis, infestation by lice, involve three different parasites:
Pediculosis humanus capitis (head louse/Lice)
Pediculosis humanus corporis (body louse/lice)
Phthirus pubis (pubic/crab louse)
Head Lice
Infest people of all ages but commonly on preschool & children.
It is not a sign of poor hygiene because all socioeconomic groups are infected.
Adapted to life on human hair and the scalp. Less commonly lice can also be
found on eyes brows and eye lashes.
Body Lice
Generally found only in human populations with extremely poor hygiene.
Body lice hide in the seams of clothing, getting on the infested persons skin to
feed only at intervals.
Generally in areas of the body where clothing is in close proximity to the body.
Example: waist, armpits, thighs and groin.
Crab Lice
Pubic lice resemble small crabs which live in the ocean. Hence the term crab
are frequently refer to an infestation.
All age groups can be infested but more prevalent in sexually active adults.
Itching of the genital area is a common symptom.
Crab lice are usually found at coarsely haired parts such as axilla & genital parts
(man & woman).
Signs and symptoms of disease:
Pediculosis humanus capitis (head louse/Lice)
Symptoms that may appear are itchiness of the neck, scalp and ears, pruritis, as
well as puss in affected areas (bites)
Pediculosis humanus corporis (body louse/lice)
Itchiness and visible bite marks on the body and pruritis, especially around the
waist and armpits. There may also be crusting and redness due to secondary
bacterial infections
Phthirus pubis (pubic/crab louse)

Adrian Jess Galindo

Itchiness in pubic areas and armpits

Mode of Transmission:
For both head lice and body lice, transmission can occur during direct contact with an
infested individual. Sharing of clothing and combs or brushes may also result in
transmission of these insects. While other means are possible, crab lice are most often
transmitted through sexual contact.
Incubation Period
Incubation of the egg takes 7-10 days. Sexual maturity is reached in 8-10 days. A
mature female louse can lay 3-10 eggs per day. The life span of an adult louse is about
30 days.
Period of Communicability:
Transmission is possible immediately after infestation through completion of the initial
shampoo treatment, or as long as live lice and nits remain. Unhatched eggs will not
survive or hatch below 72oF and are destroyed when removed manually.
Diagnostic Test:
Observation of pubic lice or nits attached to the hair. The diagnosis is suggested by a
history of itching and exposure to lice or observation of crabs by the patient. Pubic lice
can also involve eyelashes, eyebrows, beard and body hair. These areas should be
examined.
Treatment:
Treatment of pediculosis has 2 aspects: medication and environmental control measures.
Increasing emphasis is being placed on understanding the life cycle of lice in order to
provide effective treatment.
Complications:
Head lice
If your child scratches an itchy scalp from a head lice infestation, it is possible for
the skin to break and develop an infection
Body lice
Secondary infections. When body lice scratch and dig to feed on your blood, they
may irritate your skin. If you scratch to alleviate itching, this also can irritate your
skin. If your skin becomes raw from these irritations, other infections may
develop.
Skin changes. If you're infested with body lice for a long time, you may
experience skin changes such as thickening and discoloration particularly
around your waist, groin or upper thighs.
Spread of disease. Although this rarely occurs, body lice can carry and spread
some bacterial diseases, such typhus, relapsing fever or trench fever.
Pubic lice
Discolored skin. Pale blue spots may develop where pubic lice have been feeding
continually.

Adrian Jess Galindo

Secondary infections. If itchy lice bites cause you to scratch yourself raw, these
wounds can become infected.
Eye irritations. Children who have pubic lice on their eyelashes may develop a
type of pink eye (conjunctivitis).

Nursing Management:
Advice pt. to:

Use lotions and shampoos.


After shampoo treatment, rinse your hair with vinegar.
Comb wet hair.
Wash contaminated items. Wash bedding, stuffed animals, clothing and hats with
hot, soapy water at least 130 F (54 C) and dry them at high heat for at least
20 minutes.
Seal unwashable items. Place them in an airtight bag for two weeks.
Vacuum. Give the floor and furniture a good vacuuming.
Wash combs and brushes. Use very hot, soapy water at least 130 F (54 C) or
soak combs and brushes in rubbing alcohol for an hour.

Prevention of disease:
To prevent head lice a good practice for children to hang their garments on a
separate hook from other children's garments and not to share combs, brushes,
hats and scarves. A worry about head lice transmission is not considered a good
reason to avoid sharing protective headgear for sports and bicycling when sharing
is necessary.
To prevent body lice infestation, avoid having close physical contact or sharing
bedding or clothing with anyone who has an infestation.
To prevent pubic lice infestation, avoid having sexual contact or sharing bedding
or clothing with anyone who has an infestation. If you are being treated for pubic
lice, all sexual partners must also be treated.

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