Lice infestation (Pediculosis) is a parasitic skin condition caused by small wingless insects (lice) that feed on human blood and cause intense itching (pruritus).
Mnemonic: "L.I.C.E. = Live Insects Causing Itching
Everywhere"
TYPES OF LICE
- Head Lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) – Lives on the scalp.
- Body Lice (Pediculus humanus corporis) – Lives in clothing & lays eggs in seams.
- Pubic (Crab) Lice (Pthirus pubis) – Affects pubic hair & body hair.
Mnemonic: "H.B.P." (Head, Body, Pubic Lice)
1. HEAD LICE (Pediculus humanus
capitis)
- Highly Contagious – Spreads by Head-to-Head Contact.
- Common in School Children & Crowded Places.
- Severe Itching (Pruritus) on Scalp → Leads to Scratching & Secondary Infection.
- Nits (Eggs) Seen Along Hair Shafts → Difficult to Remove.
Diagnosis:
- Fine-Tooth Wet Combing → Finds Live Lice or Nits.
Treatment:
- Permethrin, Malathion, Carbaryl Lotion (Apply Twice, 7-10 Days Apart).
- Wet Combing (Not as Effective as Medication).
- Vaseline for Eyelash Involvement (12-Hourly for 2 Weeks).
Mnemonic: "H.I.T." (Head Lice → Itching, Nits, Treatment:
Permethrin)
2. BODY LICE (Pediculus humanus
corporis)
- Lives on Clothes & Moves to Skin to Feed.
- Common in Poor Hygiene, Homeless, Overcrowded Areas.
- Severe Itching → Leads to Scratching, Excoriation & Secondary Infection.
- Vectors for Diseases (Typhus, Trench Fever, Relapsing Fever).
Diagnosis:
- Lice Found in Seams of Clothing, Not on Skin.
Treatment:
- High-Temperature Washing & Ironing of Clothes.
- Disinfect Clothes with Permethrin or Malathion Spray.
- Mnemonic: "B.C.H." (Body Lice → Clothes, Hygiene, Heat
Treatment)
3. PUBIC (CRAB) LICE (Pthirus
pubis)
- Sexually Transmitted – Found in Pubic Hair, Armpits, Eyelashes.
- Causes Severe Itching in Groin & Genital Area.
- Blue Spots (Maculae Ceruleae) Due to Lice Bites.
Diagnosis:
- Lice or Nits Seen in Pubic Hair.
Treatment:
- Malathion or Carbaryl Lotion (Apply Twice, Whole Body).
- Treat Sexual Partners Too.
Mnemonic: "P.S.B." (Pubic Lice → Sexually Transmitted,
Blue Spots)
PEDICULOSIS CORPORIS (VAGABOND'S
DISEASE)
- Severe Chronic Body Lice Infestation.
- Copper-Colored Skin Lesions (Macules, Lichenification).
- Severe Itching & Scratching → Thickened, Darkened Skin.
- Vectors for Epidemic Typhus, Trench Fever.
Mnemonic: "V.C.I.T." (Vagabond’s → Copper Macules,
Itching, Typhus)
HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT OF LICE
INFESTATION
- For Head Lice:
- Sabadilla, Staphysagria, Psorinum, Sulphur, Merc Sol.
- For Body Lice (Skin Lousiness):
- Arsenicum Album, Lycopodium, Natrum Mur, Cantharis.
- For Pubic (Crab) Lice:
- Coccus Cacti, Sabadilla, Staphysagria.
Mnemonic: "S.S.P.S." (Sabadilla, Staphysagria, Psorinum,
Sulphur for Head Lice)
FINAL REVISION WITH MNEMONICS
- Definition = "L.I.C.E. = Live Insects Causing Itching Everywhere"
- Types = "H.B.P." (Head, Body, Pubic Lice)
- Head Lice Symptoms = "H.I.T." (Head Lice → Itching, Nits, Treatment: Permethrin)
- Body Lice Symptoms = "B.C.H." (Body Lice → Clothes, Hygiene, Heat Treatment)
- Pubic Lice Symptoms = "P.S.B." (Pubic Lice → Sexually Transmitted, Blue Spots)
- Vagabond’s Disease = "V.C.I.T." (Vagabond’s → Copper Macules, Itching, Typhus)
- Homeopathy = "S.S.P.S." (Sabadilla, Staphysagria, Psorinum, Sulphur for Head Lice)
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